Your AWKWARD questions about

[@pregerzoreo4886]

Weird comment of appreciation, but thank you for always smiling and laughing, this seriously makes a difference to how I have perceived the process of applying. It is still intimidating but definitely less so

[@nicolemusic2242]

i second this

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Oh, good! I can't really help it, but glad it has a positive effect!

[@char7160]

Congrats to everyone who is going to have an interview! I got rejected from E&M pre-interview so I dont have the chance but i sincerely hope the best of luck to all of you~

[@skygiles9860]

What a wholesome comment :) I was rejected last year pre interview, and the best part is you don’t have to worry about it anymore! I hope you get into whatever uni is now your top !

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you for your kind comment. I wish you all the best.

[@MattT002]

Thank you for making these videos! I’ve been watching them for a long time and they’re really helpful; I especially love the mentality you encourage applicants to have when considering institutions like Oxford and Cambridge. I have interviews for physics next week, and if all goes well then I hope to thank you in person one day.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks! Good luck!

[@steveebbage808]

Every time you come on you’re just so interesting. Could listen to you all day! …A natural orator imo

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

That's very kind -- thank you!

[@hypejuice1321]

i'm really grateful for your videos :)

[@catherinekuang9390]

Thank you Dr. Williams for making these helpful videos! I will be having my English Language and Literature interview next Monday!🥰

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Good luck!

[@yahyafatahallah50]

I will be applying to Oxford's Law faculty course and I am running short on time but your videos have been very informing and encouraging,Thank you kind sir!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

It’s a pleasure. Thank you!

[@joshuahuggins3359]

First, thank you for making these videos and offering this information in a digestible format! My question isn't really awkward, I really just wanted to post it on your most recent video to increase your chances of seeing it. My question concerns international qualifications for Oxford. For reference, I am an American high school student. I have seen on the Oxford website that as an American one must take at least three AP courses, however, I do not currently attend a school that offers APs and was wondering if there were any substitutes I could use as are accepted at some other universities such as the University of Edinburgh who's admissions office is currently accepting equivalent honours classes for eligible students. Thank you again, and have a nice day!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hi Joshua, thank you for your comment. As you say, the website states that at least three APs are required, and it seems that there are no available substitutes (www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/for-international-students/international-qualifications). This is likely because Oxford degrees are very subject focused, whereas degrees in Scotland are closer to the US model of majors and minors. You could attend Edinburgh and come to Oxford as a postgraduate. I wish you all the best.

[@elenm317]

Thank you !

[@jarrodsio]

thank you for this video, Dr! Hello from Cambridge!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Hello to you!

[@him21016]

It's good that you made this video, thank you. My "awkward question": should we be worried about the reality that Oxbridge term times are short? On the face of it, that means one must cover more content over a shorter timespan, and have less access to teaching time (which is, after all, the whole point of going to a place of education). I've heard mixed things about this. Some say it's a serious drawback, some say it's totally fine and that we actually get _more_ teaching time at Oxbridge. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thanks for your comment. It's something that I have grappled with as well. Short terms puts a strain on students and staff during term time. The staff then have to work flat out during the vacations as well. In an ideal world, we would be able to have more teaching staff, and longer terms, freeing up research-heavy professors to work on their output all year round. Although, one of the great strengths of Oxford is that students will be taught by world leading research experts as well. Honestly, this is such a difficult question. I can see so many pros and cons of different approaches.

[@him21016]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thanks for the response, I don’t quite understand it though. I thought the shorter term times were precisely so that lecturers had more time to work on their own projects.

[@absolutelybuttons7164]

Thanks for the video! This channel has been one of the things that convinced me I could apply to Oxford, and I'm set to interview for PPE in less than two weeks! Slightly awkward question - if you asked questions about (or just referenced) an interviewer's current / past work, would they be creeped out?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Not creeped out, but they might worry that you would be inclined not to think for yourself. The tutors do not want students to glorify them, but challenge them! Probably safest not to mention the tutors' work in the interview.

[@pivoprosim7632]

Another great video Dr Williams. One area which I think puts off people from low-income backgrounds from applying is the idea that they won't have enough money whist at Oxford because they won't be able to work part-time due to the level of study needed.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you! Yes I agree, that is a common concern. But the University and colleges are aware that this is a significant problem, and as a condition of discouraging part-time work, they are able to provide hardship funds and other support packages for students that need it.

[@polinamyanko6751]

Thank you for all the information you provide, it was of great help! I would like to ask you if it is appopriate to briefly address a two-year gap on a CV due to childbirth in a personal statement for a graduate programme? Or would it better avoid mentioning it?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Thank you for your comment! It's a good question. It certainly wouldn't be held against you if you explained the gap in your CV as being on account of childbirth. As such, it may be worth mentioning, if you feel comfortable doing so, so the admissions tutors can better understand your situation. But you should do so without any fear of disfavour.

[@notacademicallyperfect4183]

How can I run my own Oxford and Cambridge college?

[@catherinehoy5548]

More brilliance from you - I noticed that you changed the wording from 'backgrounds' to 'neighbourhoods' and my question is that some POLAR and ACORN scorings represent rural areas where the population is chiefly retired, wealthy, and elderly, with very few young people, those that do live there often attend fee-paying schools, thus skew the results of these metrics. Also, often the state schools in these areas are not the most academic and the social and cultural experiences on offer for young people are limited - does the college look in detail at the demographics or simply register the score?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Yes, good point! We do look at individual-level data (such as FSM) which research suggests have the best explanatory value. Postcode data suffers from a range of possible ecological fallacies, as you say. We use all available data as carefully as possible,

[@catherinehoy5548]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 Thank you for this response, I'm in awe of the careful consideration of the stupendous number of brilliant applications, for the seasoned discernment of staff and the immense contributions from students to individual applicants. So brilliant! May I ask two more questions: one relates specifically to this years intake and Covid, as GCSE metrics are published from last year, so school attainment can be assessed reliably, is this being considered as part of the contextual process? Two; are Ofsted ratings for GCSE and Sixth Form accounted for at all?

[@neilsharma-joehnk6266]

Hi, Dr Williams, i have received the opportunity to interview for biomed, do you know if there are any biomed mock interviews similar to the ones you have conducted for PPE and law on youtube, because i haven't found any. It would be a big help! Thanks.

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Good luck Neil! Sorry, I'm not aware of resources on KZbin for this.

[@nicolemusic2242]

Thank you for the time taken to make this video. I have another awkward question: i'm just wondering why oxford does not offer an undergraduate degree in politics and international relations, if you know? Thank you!!

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

You can take IR modules as an undergraduate. Students of PPE and History and Politics have about four IR modules to choose from, and could write a thesis on IR. But, other unis will be better if you want more!

[@nicolemusic2242]

@@JesusCollegeOxford1571 thank you, especially for getting back to me so promptly, I really appreciate it!

[@zeta2705]

If you don’t get invited for a second interview does it mean you were rejected?

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

No. There are several scenarios that can lead to being or not being called for second interviews. It doesn’t necessarily mean you will not be offered a place.

[@musaddiqiqbal2237]

Top G but I think the background music is a little loud 😅

[@JesusCollegeOxford1571]

Fair enough!

[@nayelhuda6945]

Just got my history and economics interview and am panicking slightly

[@nicolemusic2242]

same but for a different course

[@nayelhuda6945]

@@nicolemusic2242 nice what course

[@pregerzoreo4886]

Same, I guess just enjoy the opportunity to have a tutorial for free. This is all I repeat to myself, can't say it is making much of an improvement though 😂

[@nayelhuda6945]

@@pregerzoreo4886 nice what course you doing

[@pregerzoreo4886]

@@nayelhuda6945 I've applied for psychology, got accepted to St Andrews and bath and got this interview at Oxford. But tbh I only want to go to Oxford