I’m applying for a spot in PPE at Oxford, and was wondering about past experience with interview notifications. I know that notifications can come at any time in November up until the week before the interview date (Dec 3rd in PPE’s case), but would love to hear past applicants’ experience with when they were notified. In addition, did you find out via email or UCAS track?
over Thanksgiving break for most people that I know, via email. Don’t know anybody who heard before mid-November.
My son heard right after thanksgiving last year for the last interview shift
(note that interview dates are grouped by subject, so that each subject group is only there 2-3 days of the 10 day interview period)
Thanksgiving Break seems likely, PPE is the first to interview (Dec 3rd-5th/6th I think). Thank you all!
Looks like PPE and a few of the sciences, music and theology are in that first batch. Good luck. Which college did you apply to?
Applied to Oriel because guaranteed housing was super important to me.
Last year - all notifications for interviews were by email (both UK and international). Offers for UK applicants (usually early/mid-Jan) are sent by letter, internationals are notified by email the day after UK letters are sent. UCAS Track will not be updated until February.
Thanksgiving is a good estimate. Notifications for interview depend on the college and subject. Last year, PPE at Oriel were notified on Nov 24. PPE at all colleges were from Nov 23 - 25.
Oriel is a great college, good luck!!
I just got an email from Oriel asking if I am shortlisted, would I intend to travel to Oxford or require a Skype interview. I’d probably have to travel to Oxford by myself and it would take a decent chunk of cash from my savings, for those that have interviewed, is it worth it? My personal preference is to interview in person, just don’t know if it’s worth the cost.
If you can manage it, absolutely, for a bunch of reasons: it gives you a better sense of the place, it gives you a better sense of the whole tutorial thing, ~1/3 of the other applicants will end up attending so if you get a place you will have met some future fellow travelers, sometimes you get extra interviews if you are there, and of course, it is just cool to be in Oxford!
If affording the trip is a problem, though, you might want to double check the financing with your family: a trip in early December is as cheap as it gets, and if you go you will have multiple trips home every year (trimester system- and people do not stay on campus during the breaks- Oxford uses the word ‘vacation’ literally: you ‘vacate’ your room)- not to mention tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
Thanks for that advice! The financing shouldn’t be problem for my family, it was more that my family is requiring me to use the money I have made from working to cover the cost of travel if I get an interview.
My son was very glad that he went last year for his interviews.
His prior visit to Oxford had been a real whirlwind during the summer open days. That helped him choose his college, but he didn’t get a really good feel for the place and what day to day life would be like.
He had a lot of down time during his interviews - he was there from 3pm on Sunday until 2pm on Wednesday during which time he had four 20+ minute interviews (maths & comp sci at two different colleges). He had the opportunity to check out Oxford and also spend a lot of time getting a feel for the college and meeting the other applicants. Turned out that the two friends that he made during interviews also received offers, so they had their own little network already going when they arrived in October.
The college covers your room & meals, so the cost to you is transportation there and back plus whatever you spend during your free time.
Oxford says there is no difference between in person or Skype interviews. However, reading postings from the comp sci guy at St. Catz who is active over on the student room, it sounds less than optimal. Responses from him like, “work out a problem on paper and then hold it up to the camera so we can see what you wrote” wouldn’t thrill me as an applicant.
Good luck either way.
Brasenose admissions posted over on the student room that courses with early interviews should receive decisions by Friday 11/24.
Fingers crossed, thanks for that update @HazeGrey!
Looks like first PPE poster hit on the student room. Invite from St Anne’s
Still haven’t heard any news from PPE on my end.
Best wishes to everybody waiting to hear!
Please be aware of how competitive the process is. My college room mates son applied for PPE at Oxford and did not get in. Instead he read Economics at the LSE and graduated with a first… Some very smart people don’t get in, it is one of the most competitive courses at one of the worlds best universities. That being said, the very best of luck to you.
Hearing that Brasenose will release tomorrow.
@whoharry Harry you started the thread are you going to finish it, let us know how you got on.