Applying to Oxford or Cambridge (Oxbridge)
Students can apply to EITHER Oxford OR Cambridge - NOT to both. It is important that students are fully aware of the style of teaching at both universities. Teaching is structured in such as way that students must be able to self manage and self study to a high level. They will be expected to read widely for their subject and will meet with professors one to one or in small groups for academic discussion. Not all students will feel comfortable with this style of learning.
Students should apply to the subject in which they perform best. It is not wise to look at statistics and assume they can gain a place just because that course may be less competitive in terms of applications numbers. Students will be competing with very high achieving students from around the world for all courses. Having high predicted IB grades is really only a starting point. A true Oxbridge student will be involved in many other activities both in school and beyond, and yet still be able to maintain excellent results. Additional testing and an interview (at Oxford or by Skype in HK - at Cambridge or with 2 visiting professors) will also be required as part of the selection process.
Early identification: students who may be suitable to consider Oxbridge will be coming to our attention in Year 9 and Year 10. Aside from high academic achievement, they will be taking on leadership roles and will be fully involved within the school community. In Year 10, student’s PSAT results will give an indication of how they compare against other students academically. Once entering the Diploma, students will be maintaining good time management. They will be students who are asking many questions in class and reading widely beyond the IB syllabus. It is an expectation that students will be aware of current affairs, be able to engage in lively discussions and can articulate a point of view.
Preparation at VSA: UCO will want to know which students are seriously thinking about Oxbridge before the end of Year 11. This will give the student time to think about extra preparation - maybe in the form of a suitable summer programme, wider reading or an internship. Students should have a strong personal statement ready at the very start of Year 12. The Oxbridge deadline is October 15th so the VSA internal deadline to complete the application is usually the middle of September. This gives UCO time to prepare some preliminary interview practice to provide students with an idea of what to expect. The practice interview also provides UCO with feedback that could be useful for the reference letter. It is vital that students who are serious about applying to Oxbridge take this preparation seriously. A student who comes last minute will not be well placed to offer a strong application and this will usually result in stress to complete what is required and a disappointing outcome.
Students should apply to the subject in which they perform best. It is not wise to look at statistics and assume they can gain a place just because that course may be less competitive in terms of applications numbers. Students will be competing with very high achieving students from around the world for all courses. Having high predicted IB grades is really only a starting point. A true Oxbridge student will be involved in many other activities both in school and beyond, and yet still be able to maintain excellent results. Additional testing and an interview (at Oxford or by Skype in HK - at Cambridge or with 2 visiting professors) will also be required as part of the selection process.
Early identification: students who may be suitable to consider Oxbridge will be coming to our attention in Year 9 and Year 10. Aside from high academic achievement, they will be taking on leadership roles and will be fully involved within the school community. In Year 10, student’s PSAT results will give an indication of how they compare against other students academically. Once entering the Diploma, students will be maintaining good time management. They will be students who are asking many questions in class and reading widely beyond the IB syllabus. It is an expectation that students will be aware of current affairs, be able to engage in lively discussions and can articulate a point of view.
Preparation at VSA: UCO will want to know which students are seriously thinking about Oxbridge before the end of Year 11. This will give the student time to think about extra preparation - maybe in the form of a suitable summer programme, wider reading or an internship. Students should have a strong personal statement ready at the very start of Year 12. The Oxbridge deadline is October 15th so the VSA internal deadline to complete the application is usually the middle of September. This gives UCO time to prepare some preliminary interview practice to provide students with an idea of what to expect. The practice interview also provides UCO with feedback that could be useful for the reference letter. It is vital that students who are serious about applying to Oxbridge take this preparation seriously. A student who comes last minute will not be well placed to offer a strong application and this will usually result in stress to complete what is required and a disappointing outcome.