<p>Oxford's interviews for Americans are easier than for Brits I believe b/c you are unlikely to be interviewed by a tutor in your subject, since only 4 or so come to NY. My PPE interview was done by a physiologist. That said I really respect Oxford's subject test, and for an hour-long test I felt it had to be pretty good indicator. I was impressed that they asked for written work too - seems like something US schools should do cept they have far too many applicants.</p>
<p>For the actual interview I felt both Oxford and Harvard were more about your interpersonal skills and ability to convince than about you "intellectual potential." And I like the American essay more than the British PS. An essay can tell you what an applicants values are, more through what they give away unintentionally than by what they focus on, whereas it seems like the PS is so formulaic that they all sound the same.</p>
<p>Everything I've heard about Harvard is that it prepares you well for life by being surrounded by a brilliant and influential group of students more than through the absolute best classes or anything else. So the strike against Oxbridge to me is it feels like theres slightly more isolation for an individual student - however if I was really intent on in-depth academic study in one subject I'd go Oxford hands down.</p>