UK's Oxford University Opens Up About Admissions

To mark the deadline for the 2015 Oxford admissions, and the start of the university undergraduate admissions cycle, one of the UK's top universities has published a selection of interviews with its tutors. According to the Guardian the institution hopes to dispel some of the myths surrounding its undergraduate admissions process. In addition to two interviews, various tests and personal statements, tutors also take into consideration teacher feedback and previous exam results. Samina Khan, acting director of undergraduate admissions at Oxford, said, “interviews are not about reciting what you already know – they are designed to give candidates a chance to show their real ability and potential, which means candidates will be encouraged to use their knowledge and apply their thinking to new problems in ways that will challenge them and allow them to shine." He went on to say,"Tutors simply want to see how students think and respond to new ideas. We know there are still lots of myths about the Oxford interview, so we have put as much information as possible out there to allow students to see behind the hype to the reality of the process.” Prospective students can expect deliberately provocative questions and others designed to show their depth of knowledge. Sample questions published included: 'How much of the past can you count?' And, 'An experiment appears to suggest Welsh speakers are worse at remembering phone numbers than English speakers – why?' "The two interviews that most Oxford applicants go through are likely to be an unusual experience for many of them. So we want to show students what they are really like so they aren’t put off by what they might have heard,” said Khan. Detractors remain adamant that Oxford's over reliance on interviews remains a problem. Either way, the university expects to interview 10,000 students in December for their 3,200 available 2015 places. UK 2015 Timelines For Undergraduate Admissions-

• 15th October- Deadline for Oxford and Cambridge plus medicine, veterinary and dentistry.
• 15th January- Deadline for most courses.
• 25th February to 2nd July-  For those who have declined all offers or not been offered courses they want, UCAS Extra is available between these dates.
• 24th March- The deadline for most art courses.
• 31st March- Institutions make their final decisions on candidates who applied by 15th January.
• 6th May- Deadline for accepting or rejecting offers.
• 30th June- Final date for late applications to UCAS.
• 31st August- Clearing commences.