Hi,
I am looking for a challenging course and I was wondering about the Oxbridge Summer Academic Program. But, there are so many mixed reviews of the program, is it actually challenging and worth it? I have heard that the teachers are not that good and some other stuff…but it sounds like such a good opportunity. Anyways, I want to major in Molecular Science and minor in speech and debate. Also, I can probably only attend with a full/partial scholarship, any advice for that?
It depends a lot on what you want from the program.
If you are wondering how adcomms will see it, from their pov summer programs come in two main flavors: a small number of extremely competitive programs and a lot of programs that are mildly selective, like Oxbridge. The latter are seen as fancy summer camps for kids lucky enough to have parents who can afford them- and that’s fine, but they won’t give you an admissions bump on their own, regardless of the name of the university or the course. It can certainly be a part of a larger narrative about you, but that’s all you can count on from that pov.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a fun adventure, or if you have a passion for a subject then the summer academic programs can be super. My Ds all did at least one- one has friends from a program she did 6 years ago, as the students have continued to cross paths b/c of their interest in the subject; another had a great experience, but realized that she did not want to study that subject or at that university!
So, I’m not nay-saying them, but saying be clear what metric you are using to choose. I don’t know exactly which program you are talking about (there are several with very similar names), and I don’t know you or the program well enough to say whether it’s the right program for you. Most of the good programs are good at marketing- that is, making the program sound amazing- and the unis are so photogenic that is hard not to be wowed by being there. Teachers are variable anywhere- and even between students,
I did an Oxbridge program last summer and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I am so happy that I attended a program and would recommend it to anybody. From what I examined the teachers are very good as many of them have degrees from elite universities. I think one of the biggest positives of the program is that you will meet students from all over the world. As far as a scholarship I’ve heard that it is rather difficult to receive one. I don’t remember anyone telling me that they gained admission by scholarship. However if you can pay you will more than likely get accepted.
All in all I found the Oxbridge program I attended to be an extremely rewarding and worthwhile experience.
Thanks! Its just that I am thinking of applying to different programs at different universities. For example, I am applying for the Oxford Tradition at Oxbridge and probably the Intensive Studies programs at CTY Johns Hopkins but I dont know which one will be better as in challenging but still fun.
Oxbridge wasn’t necessarily challenging, however there still was educational value. The JHU program sounds like it might be more challenging. If you want fun, Oxbridge was a ton of fun.
I think it’s a good opportunity as well but if you’re already having doubts about it why push through? I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to find other programs somewhere with the specializations of the course you wish to take.
I can speak for the scholarship part, but not the worth it portion of your question. I have not yet attended the program yet (I am leaving for it in about 5 days) but I managed to get a 50% merit scholarship to the Oxford Prep Experience 2016. i was going for the literature scholarship, but that was awarded to someone else, so I was left with an “Exceptional Merit Scholarship” which covered for 1/2 of my program costs. All lab fees are also waived if you get a scholarship. Please take note that the scholarship only covered the program costs, shelter, and two meals a day (meaning I have to pay for lunch, airfare, and personal money). The scholarship covered about $4000 of the program cost.
However, getting the scholarship was extremely difficult. I think I got in partially because I’m from Hawai’i, which probably isn’t very common among applicants. To get the scholarship, I had to write some seriously dank poetry, submit some of my graded essays from school, get a bunch of teachers who actually like me to write recommendation letters for me, submit a personal financial statement, and write an essay/letter to oxbridge begging them to accept me and highlighting all my personal traits.
However, you don’t need to be valedictorian or anything for a scholarship. I get average to moderately above average grades, (I finished this year off with a 3.67 GPA) but I go to a school that is infamous for being academically challenging, so you definitely need to work hard for the grades and stuff.
The scholarships are definitely for students in financial trouble who really really really want to go to this program, and for students who exceed in school. I would definitely recommend picking up a few unusual talents, like playing the lute or being able to communicate in sign language, because that definitely helps out on your app.
For me, not only have I been born and raised in Hawai’i, I also play the harp, tennis, piano, slam poetry, and I have had previous experience travelling internationally. ( I went to china for a natural history fair and won first.)
My number one recommendations to get a scholarship and get accepted into this program relatively stress free are:
HAND IN YOUR APPLICATION EARLY ( I waited till the week scholarship apps were due and ended up with my 2nd choice in courses and about three dozen panic attacks and $30 less over express shipping)
ACTUALLY REALLY WANT (AND NEED) A SCHOLARSHIP ( I wanted this more than anything and my family is part of the middle-lower working class, so if you’re some snotty blind rich little twerp who is only applying for the scholarship for kicks or something, please leave the scholarships for people who actually need them)
BE PREPARED FOR THE SMACK OF REJECTION OR THE GLORY OF ACCEPTANCE (I was super prepared not to be given the scholarship and kind of brought myself down emotionally, but when I found out i got the 50% I think I acted kind of snobby about it- but a few moments of jumping up and down grinning in the corner are ok- after all, who wouldn’t be happy to get into the 3% out of thousands of students who apply for scholarships?)
SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING ( ok, I know you hear this a million times on the site and stuff, but maybe there’s a slim chance that a corporate sponsor or a few rich family members might want to chip in to your little globe trotting experience)
so that’s all from me- I’ll be taking Psychology and Speech and Debate in the Oxford prep experience of 2016 and I am SUPER PUMPED AND EXCITED…and don’t be scared to check out the blogs that each program writes ( oxford prep experience is https://oxbridgeacademicprograms.■■■■■■■■■■■■■/category/the-oxford-prep/)
Also, I also really like that the staff is very communicative and willing to help you if you have any questions. They’re very polite and respond to emails really quickly.
Good luck!
Hi there - a PP mentioned that there are a small number of summer programs that are “extremely competitive.” I was just wondering what programs you are referring to? Many thanks.
Hi,
I attended an OxBridge program last year on 50% scholarship. I was shooting for a full scholarship to Oxford tradition but I was offered 50% to my choice of four of the other programs. I ended up picking one of the foreign language ones and had a good experience. In terms of academic rigor, it really depends on which courses you take but overall it’s not the most academic program out there (I can’t really speak for the ones actually at Oxford and Cambridge and I took less academic courses because my intent was to focus on the language and have fun).