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Academic InterviewsEllie Rendle, Trinity College

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InterviewsWhy . . . ?

• “Interviews tell us important things about a candidate which are not captured by grades or test scores. We can see how candidates think, rather than merely parrot information.”

• “I interview to find what we call ‘potential’ and disentangle it from either poor schooling or coaching.”

• “Interviews give us the chance to see whether an applicant has the intellectual capacity to learn and be stretched by our teaching system”

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Short-Listing. . . and how?

GCSE grades AS-level grades

Predicted A-level/IB results

Personal Statement

Teacher Reference

Written work Written test results SAQ

Academic Ability andPotential

Examinations

UCAS Form

Oxbridge Specific

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The InterviewWhat to Expect

• Interviews are an academic, subject-focused discussion in which tutors hope to see applicants thinking problems through for themselves.

• Tutors have no hidden agenda, and do not ask ‘trick’ questions or erect ‘hurdles’ for applicants to jump over .

• Focused and challenging questions, typical of how you might be taught at university

• A variety of starting points and directions.

• Expect questions to become steadily more challenging.

• New approaches to existing knowledge and problem-solving questions.

• There won’t always be a right answer, and there will be a stage when you simply don’t know!

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The InterviewWhat makes a good interview?

Good Ideas

• Answer the question you are asked, not the one you want to be asked.

• Explain your thinking.

• It’s fine to admit you don’t know - you aren’t expected to know everything.

Bad Ideas• Staying silent.

• Refusing to change your mind when the evidence is overwhelming/being contrarian for the sake of it.

• Making it up/lying!

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How to Prepare(Re-)Reading your Personal Statement

“I have chosen to study French and Spanish as a joint course firstly due to a love of these two cultures gained through visits to the countries. I have studied in a French language school in Bordeaux and have also taken a language and culture course in Barcelona, as well as taking part in an exchange with a school in Pamplona.

My choice of subject is especially due to a very keen interest in the literature of these cultures, and I really relish the prospect of broadening and deepening my knowledge of them through further study and time abroad. I have read widely in both languages and have particularly enjoyed Molière and Voltaire (French), and Márquez and Borges (Spanish). I have worked hard to acquire a thorough knowledge of the grammar of both languages, and I strive to speak and write them as accurately as possible. A friend and I were instrumental in re-founding the School’s Modern Languages Society: we invite visiting speakers and show foreign language films.

I am a very keen sportsman and have represented the school at Rugby (1st XV), Football (2nd XI) and Cricket (2nd XI). I also play both rugby and cricket for local teams, and am a keen golfer. I play the violin to a high level, and play a strong role in the school orchestra. In my spare time, I volunteer at a local charity shop on some weekday evenings and the weekend. I am also a House monitor at school.”

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How to PrepareTalking about your subject

• Ask a teacher you don’t know to give you a mock interview

• Find a “buddy” and interview each other

• Talk to your parents and siblings, and friends!

• Remember it’s an interview, not just a conversation.

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How to PrepareTalking about your subject

• Why do you enjoy your subject?• What interests you about your subject?• How have your studies at school inspired you

to further study?• Do you have a favourite topic/module?• How have you encountered your subject

outside of your academic studies?• What are the underlying ideas/themes in what

you are studying?

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On the dayPractical things to remember

• Check the information carefully

• Wear something you feel comfortable in

• Bring a book or magazine

• Remember a snack and a drink

• Talk to other candidates

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Remember…Tutors are human too!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCOKx-LBk6s

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Any questions?admissions@trinity.ox.ac.uk