Ask Oxford - How much free time do you get? Do you need extracurriculars to get in?
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
- A couple of weeks ago I asked my audience what questions they would like to have answered by an Oxford official, so I recently sat down with my JCR access rep to get some answers. Maddy is a second year Biology student, elected by the student body to ensure that everyone that wants to apply to St. Peter's (and more broadly, Oxford) has access to all the information that may shape their application.
Really sorry about the constantly shifting focus - the camera I was using is new to me so I probably balls'd up setting the shot right. I hope it's not too distracting!
In this part:
Do you need extracurriculars to get in?
Do people on free school meals get extra financial support?
Are the interviews really scary?
How much free time do you get in Oxford?
Check out parts 2 and 3 here:
Part 2: • Ask Oxford - How many ...
Part 3: • Ask Oxford - Will taki...
--------- II ---------
I am Simon, a fourth year physics student at St. Peter's College, University of Oxford. I try my best to help applicants to Oxbridge with answers from the other side of the fence and, where possible, make videos that people will find useful.
/ spcoxford
www.spc.ox.ac.uk
Just a friendly advice, when you're recording something like an interview, set your focus manual, never automatic, it not necessary because there's no movement to adapt, it's kind of distracting seeing the autofocus working. Great video!
Yeah indeed...
Luis Dario Davila Martinez learn a new thing every day
Everything aside they both look cute
+Hashaam zahid they are both fat
are you blind or just thick
+Jayce1712 T H I C C
Beauty is not in the eyes of the beholder, ugly and fat is always ugly and fat
Holy shit I found someone with the same name
Fucking whats with the camera focus jeezus.
READ THE MESSAGE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE VIDEO
my friend had an interview at oxford and when he sat down the professor guy bounced a ping pong ball onto the desk and over his head and shouted "CATCH IT AND YOU'RE IN" my friend fell over backwards in the chair trying to catch it but sadly he missed and lost out. now he goes to oxford brookes
DirtyyChimp shit banter
yeah "banter"
I'm pretty sick at using those Make Your Own Crystal! Kids Chemistry Set's.
Can I get in?????
Definitely not because your grammar is, quite obviously, atrocious.
Killian Defaoite It was clearly a joke, but you're too far up your own arse to realise that.
Killian Defaoite You must be great at parties.
DatK9 lol I dont go to parties
I think this comment speaks for itself, let's wrap it up here, Folks.
Sorry, we probably should have defined what we were talking about! Contact time is time that is scheduled for you to interact with the degree in some way - e.g. labs, lectures, tutorials, seminars.
Goddamn people, relax. Yea the girl is cute, have you never seen a cute girl in your life? Thats what seperates you from people who go to oxford. Getting distracted by a cute girl. Just pathetic
The Bob Ross shirt is boss.
*Kappaross
It is something that I would love to do, and something that this channel will probably swing towards once my degree is finished. Watch this space...
And it did.🙂
Yeah, really sorry about that - I was using a new camera and I must have missed some manual focussing option. Unfortunately all of these answers are now recorded so they'll all be like this :/ I would have reshot the whole thing but both Maddy and I are really busy at the moment so was forced to go with this.
If you find it distracting/nauseating then you can always switch to another tab and pretend that it's a podcast!
She's Pretty =)
I recently conducted an interview with several college access reps, and I'm pretty sure that this was one of the topics covered. Those videos will be uploaded sometime in the near future...
I don't think that you need to list your GCSE grades as resits or not on your UCAS form, so you can retake them and as long as you get those results before you submit your applications to universities they will be none the wiser :)
You remind me of daniel radcliff haha
lel
I'm afraid that I know nothing about American college applications, so I couldn't say how applicable this is, sorry!
Girl is very beautiful :)
guys reading this, would you like me to do one for kcl medicine?
Extra-curricular activities really don't count that much unless they are directly relevant to the degree you're applying to. There's a video on the SPCOxford channel that talks about this.
Very good question! Generally other unis will value a full personal statement with details of what you do outside your subject much more than Oxbridge as they won't necessarily interview you to determine aspects of your character (i.e. how motivated/passionate you are). Also remember that it IS important to talk about extracurricular activities that directly relate to your subject, e.g. applying for history talking about volunteering at a local museum
Not to worry about it! The best advice I can give is to find something that is even vaguely relevant that you will enjoy doing, in an industry that you would be interested in finding out more about.
The piano thing could be to see if the interviewed had been honest in his application, regardless of the specific skill of playing a piano being relevant to his purported graduation.
I thought it would've been an ASMR video from the shirt he was wearing...
The temptation to do an ASMR science video in that shirt to troll everyone is real...
plsno
Simon Clark loool
She is amazingly beautiful. Take that as a generous compliment. I'm not trying to be a pervert.
yeah seriously, she is very pretty.
@olliek94 I don't go to uni so I can't answer fully, but I think it's time with a tutor/fellow- lectures, lab work and supervisions
Gorgeous girl ;)
Hi :)
I sent my Oxford application a few days ago. Here's my situation:
I've always wanted to study Physics, so most of my background knowledge is science-related. I changed of mind this summer, and decided on PPE in the last days of August. I am trying to read as much as I can, principally for the TSA's writing part. I have two main questions:
1. Are teachers looking for you to show extensive knowledge in your entrance exams?
2. Do I stand any chance, given that I have had so little time to prepare? I think I have done respectable progress considering that two months ago I din't even know what to study, and however low my chances are, I am determined to keep forwards. I just want to know whether it is possible for someone who might have less knowledge than her contenders to get into Oxford.
Thanks.
Irene Gracia How did it go?
I demand a day of mourning in all England! You have lost a great Scientific,(Archaeological), leader. Watch>."A Tribute to Mick Aston - A Great Man"
hallo simon, iam angga from bogor agricultural university, Indonesia. in my plan i wish i can get to master degree to oxford university. can you help me please? thank you before.
Hello Simon! Thanks for the video and good job on it btw! I have a few questions.
1) if you're an American or an immigrant how would your applicant process go? Do all the same requirements apply to you as if you were already living in England? What will they look at for you, GPA, SAT Scores or grades? Or all?
2) if you are a transfer student from America wanting to change schools coming from another college what would the process be?
3) Lets say you made a few F's freshman and sophomore year but then made all A's junior and senior year, realistically what would be your chances of getting in? Do they accept people with F's if improvement is shown or does it depend on your GPA? Also is volunteer work or community service required, does it help?
Please get back to me on this, I appreciate it if you can!
When I was at school, a boy got offered 2 e s at A level for a place. It all depends how bad they want you
To be very clear, no! She has a boyfriend who's a really great guy.
And seriously, 'boinking'?!
I can understand that but just saying she’s really cute
could you ever do a video on physics? I've always gotten great grades in it, but for some reason I hate it and I would like to like it
I watched your video and I got the grip of what Oxford university is looking for in students. Thank you for uploading this video. I got 1A*, 5As, 2Bs and 1C. I currently take 4 A-leves. I used to do a lot of extracurricular activities when I was in year 10 and 11, now I only do a few which are orchestra and running club. These activities are not related to my subject that I want to read in university, but when I apply to Oxford, is there any chance that I would get an offer? Does Oxford really not care about extracurriculars? Does Oxford like people that are all rounders? I would like to become an orchestral member and a sports member when I am at the university. Do the activites I am currently doing help me to get into Oxford/ increase the chance of getting in? Sorry for lots of questions.
How much free time you get depends entirely how much you want to get.
In my second year I worked well over 100 hours a week and got 69.3% overall.
In my final year I decided to be more relaxed and only worked 50 hours a week and still got 61.4%.
I knew people that hardly did any work and got just over 40%, while one girl who worked 9am-2am everyday and got 72%. But she did look about 10 years older at the end of it and wasn't able to get a job afterwards.
So you did 15-17 hours a day of just work solidly for a year? Nope I don't buy that whatsoever
Hamish Woodland
Yep, that was second year of materials engineering at Loughborough. But it wasn't one year, it was 9 months.
Like I said it's all about how many hours you want to do.
But that was nothing compared to masters of finance at Chinese University of Hong Kong. The content was considerably easier but they were much more assignments and no big holidays, our christmas holiday was only 2 days. And we had lessons on weekends.
That was about 12 hours a day, 7 days a week. So I do have a little free time, but all my classmates work much harder than me. The university even has an over night sleeping zone in the library.
***** But to do well over 100 hours a week you'd have to study solidly for 17 hours a day. Even if you never stopped for food or anything else you'd only get 7 hours of sleep a night.
Hamish Woodland
No I usually only worked 9am-midnight, which is only 15 hours. Of course I had bathroom breaks but I would not eat in that time.
I think you hit a point of diminishing returns once you hit a certain amount of time/grade. Like if I study 4 hours a day to get a B, and I have to do 12 to get an A, for me it wouldn't be worth the A.
dem eyes... I'm from oxford, may hit that up
+Levi Weeaboo why would a weeaboo be here
***** Im starting sixth form tomorrow and i really don't wanna fuck it up
***** Thanks. What do you find to be the most effective way to revise? would taking notes out of a textbook and doing exercises a few hours a day from the start be enough?
***** Why do i believe this guy
***** Thanks
If I get a A* A* A at A levels and did the Duke of Edinburgh and did the national Citizen Service and did 3 afterschool clubs will I be eligible to go to Oxford to study the PPE
Of that only the A levels will be relevant, along with any afterschool clubs that are directly relevant to either P, P, or E! But with A*A*A you would be in with a good shot at getting an interview
If I want to run errands of music or ina bakery having my subject as physics?
I will find and marry a girl like Maddy...when I get wealthy.
This helped a lot. I am writing a personal statement for electrical engineering but do not have outstanding official demonstrated interest in my major.
do you have to be a stereotypical brainiac with facts and things, or act in any certain way to be liked in the interview? Understandably you have to be clever but do you have to act totally nerdy ?
This is really helpful! Thank you for sharing :)
Do you need to learn Latin to do medicine?
+TheCallofdeath123 Nope, I don't believe so
TheCallofdeath123 no, but it does help! I have lots of friends who are taking medicine as of now
TheCallofdeath123 no of course not as long as your grades are good
TheCallofdeath123 as long as your geography is good :)
My dream is to go to Oxford university but that's 5 and a half years away
I need to get good GCSE's
Ramasamy Nachiappan My dream is to move to England and attend oxford, my goal is also 5 years away. Gotta start with the basics first I guess.
I did really badly in my GCSE's buy im getting A's and A* in my a level subjects (maths, physics, commuting and electronics) would that affect my application?
Yes, both Oxford and Cambridge consider your GCSE grades as well.
I want to apply for history at Oxford next year when I start my A2 levels. But I haven't got any experience, such as volunteering at a museum because it's a little difficult to find something like that if you live quite far away. Would you recommend anything else to do, to increase my chances at trying to get into Oxford?
I got 4A*s and 6As at gcse and am predicted all As in my subjects. I also attended a summer Oxbridge program at the University of Cambridge where they tutor us to try and get us to get into Oxford/Cambridge.
So the whole volunteering thing is just one way of demonstrating your passion for your chosen subject, which, alongside academic achievement, is the thing that tutors look for in their students. It is not the only way to demonstrate this though - taking part in local history societies, reading widely, even founding a history club for your school: these all count as good ways to demonstrate your interest beyond the A level syllabus.
Also, consider researching deeply into one topic of interest (e.g. the wars of the roses, the norman conquests, the decline of feudalism in russia) that you can talk about or write essays on - this makes for interesting interviews for you and the interviewer! Best of luck.
Thanks so much, Simon! They're great topics to further delve into. I'll make sure to do just that. Just curious... Are you aware of any other universities that specialise in history courses that are one of the top universities in the UK? I'd like to keep my options open, so I'm not so reliant in getting into Oxford.
Watching your weekly vlogs from during the terms, I've gotten interested in atmospheric physics even though I'm doing theory!
Great video by the way!
Good god! That woman is gorgeous! Date Her!
What if you ONLY participate in the google science fair! Does that count for anything?
Talking about myths, my absolute favourite which I have heard is actually true. A candidate was given a brick and asked to throw it out the window. After politely declining many many times the interviewer apparently still pestered on until he just chucked it at the window, smashing it. Then the guy says "you could of just opened the window" and needless to say he didn't get in.
I have a question... I mean I am not even the age to be worrying about this kind of thing but I usually get ahead of myself... I want to do some sort of computer science and I like PCs and i love gaming so would you think that I would get around 2-3 hours a day free time so I can play some games?
Hi simon, i am now going to college as my school finished about a month ago. I still haven't got my gcse results. I think i am not going to do Amazing in my gcse. Im probably going to get about B's to C's or maybe 2 or 3 A's. I am planning to go to oxford in the future. I just want to know that lets say i get All B's and C's in my gcse but do good in A levels. Will oxford accept me as i have heard that getting the best best grades are not the most important things to get into oxford.
You can get into Oxford even if your grades are mediocre! I only got 2 A*s and was very intimidated with people who got 12 A*s, but I still managed to get in
Hey man, get over it, physics in not the most demanding subject. Just because you work more ours is not more demanding.
What are my chances of getting into Oxford if I have an associates degree (sixth form) have all A's and tons of extra curriculars?
who much cost is required for joining this collage and fee also
I am preparing for TOEFL test, and I found the British accent so socks and very hard to understand it
Nice video Simon! Very informative :) May I ask, if I want to become an actual physicist, i.e. working as a researcher, what are the chances of that happening if I have a master's degree in physics? And how much would this chance increase if I obtained a PhD? I really want to study physics at uni but I really don't want a degree in physics just to become a software engineer or work in finance; I want the thrill of being a physicist! Thanks a lot Simon :)
I'm in my last year in a university in europe and I had plenty options to go into research. You won't suddenly end up in finance and not know what went wrong.
Not sure if the term 'fetus' is applicable in this context but I will use it regardless. XD this is adorable.
auto zoom is killing me :(
do you have any chemical frenship as well?? just want to know if..
If I state that I have done the Duke of edingbrugh award and have good grades would they be willing to accept me?
And also I have heard that in 6th forms and collages only one or 2 people from the whole year group is allowed to apply for Oxford or Cambridge is this true?
Fatima Raz so to answer your questions in turn:
1. Nothing guarantees that you will get in! Good grades are the most important thing, while things like DofE will help your application by demonstrating time management and independent thought. Make sure that you highlight what you learned from the DofE in your personal statement.
2. No there's no quotas for individual schools - some very good schools get dozens of students in!
SimonOxfPhys thanks for answering!! xx
I'm hoping to apply for Oxford to study French and Russian (I'm in year twelve now) and I have done work experience but I'm not sure if its relevant ( in hospitals and volunteering at school for children with disabilities) . I also don't know whether I am being too ambitious applying to Oxford but I adore languages and am so passionate. I got 3 A*s and 6 As in my GCSEs and I'm panicking because I don't want to aim too high! I am predicted 4 As in my AS levels
I would say, if you're passionate about going to Oxford, then apply! But apply for some "insurance" choice Unis as well. My sixth form has suggested apply for 2 unis which ask for higher grades, then 2 which are more realistic, then one insurance choice.
what are faculty in there?
Damn... You sound so fast to read those questions. 😳😳
Would visiting a holiday resort count as an extracurricular activity?
Hello Simon! It's about 3 years until uni for me and I have a great passion for science and reason but particulary quantum physics. I've been reading "In the search for Schrödinger's cat" and a number of physics-type of books that you've recommended. My question is if you might have a tip of a preperation that could increase my chances of getting into Oxford that is allowed to take well... 3 years. Btw, thank you very much indeed for your guidance and I hope to meet you in person to talk about science :)
Hi! The best thing that you can do at this stage is to get comfortable working with maths - the Oxford physics course is very theoretical, and more experience working with maths (in particular algebra, vectors and calculus) would be invaluable! Also remember that while it's important to demonstrate to the admissions tutors that you are passionate about your subject, the only thing that they really care about is your ability at it - so yes, do try and undertake things which show off your passion for physics (e.g. physics club at school, extended project), but don't ever lose sight of those top grades. Keep pushing, keep studying and keep trying to get better!
I enjoyed the "artistic" focusing.
They look SO YOUNG!
Furry wolfy Probably cause they are. Late teens I assume
Furry wolfy They are.
Ever so helpful, cleared up many misconceptions I may have had. Is it true they carry out background checks on your parents checking if they have worked or studied in a profession. I have hear this from many people and was just wondering if it was true.
@SimonOxfPhys Thanks for taking time to give a thorough answer. If possible, please can you direct me to a video about what to write in an Oxbridge personal statement, or create one yourself. Thanks
If extra curricular activities are irrelevant for application, why do you write them on a personal statement
I know Oxford requires really high grades.
However if I got 3 A's at a level, and an A in an epq. Would that be acceptable?
+john smith well it depends! Some courses ask for AAA at A level while some ask for A*AA or A*A*A - check the website for your course to find out what they would be asking for
So... Are u both secretly together? U know what I mean.
Would playing chess and participating in chess competitions help for studying a science and maths? +SimonOxfPhys
I play chess
Hi, I'm from Hong Kong and have completed form 1 and have to pick 3 electives in Form 3. If I want to study Mathematics and computer Science at Oxford. Should I pick physics, economics, information communication technology with a side of calculus and algebra? And now I am currently failing mother-tongue(Chinese), would that affect my public exam grades then?
Cancerous Zeus So if you are aiming to study math and computer science then would strongly, strongly recommend that you study calculus and algebra to the highest level you can - both will be essential in the maths part of your course. Physics and ICT would be essential choices as well, while your remaining elective (if algebra/calculus doesn't fill it) won't make much difference - pick something you find interesting! As for your grade in chinese, Oxford won't care about that directly, but they will care if it reduces your overall school grade. I don't know enough about your education system to know if or how that would happen though - so I would talk to your teachers.
Thank you, the information was helpful 😊
Why is the camera constantly refocusing ?
Hello , my friend, I just want to asking you a question can you tell me what the full cost of one year at the University of oxford and also I want to know Can I stay in England when ifinished my studies by my money with no scholarship(thanks )
Hi, you can find information about the cost of living at - www.ox.ac.uk/feesandfunding/
Thanks bro
Math modeling competition is where people apply mathematical concepts into real life. Would this extracurriculars be really helpful to the application to Oxford for physics?
Yes very much so!
additionally, when do people normally start working on EPQ?
would Oxford except a Btec level 3 at grades D*D*D*?
Can you apply even if you live outside of England, like Sweden?
yes
What are the major differences when you apply to a Masters program? Great video as always!
Simon, have you ever considered doing an exclusively Physics based video series?
Hi I am an american student and am wondering about what kind of sports scholarships you offer to international students. I have fairly high grades as well, so how likely could I get a scholarship being a foreigner.
+Xavier Richardson (Chun-Woo Asakura) so UK universities don't really do scholarships like the US - I don't know of any sporting scholarships at all. You can search for what scholarships are available at www.ox.ac.uk/students/fees-funding/search/undergraduate
+Xavier Richardson (Chun-Woo Asakura)
As an American who is applying next year... this is what I know...
1. Only American Universities care about sports, do not expect to be recruited for sports.
2. There is a 0% of you getting a scholarship as an international, we have to pay 2-3X the tuition. In addition to the fact that the conversion rate isn't in our favor.
3. THEY DON'T LOOK AT OUR GPA. The care about AP Scores/SAT/SAT 2 Subject Scores/and RELEVANT extracurriculars. For example, since I am applying for PPE I have congressional internships to talk about.
4. Good luck!
Frank Underwood Thanks a lot, that really helps me out
What extracurricular related to your subject could you do for maths?
Tutoring younger students/being a teaching assistant, for instance. Or typing up/making an online tutorial for others explaining a topic that you like! Sounds 'extracurricular' to some extent. Volunteering at some science-related event or project perhaps.
You make it sound like that's the only thing stopping you Simon :P
so if i dont have good grades ..i cant get in
So funny!! Didnt the interviewer see him go into the wardrobe?
great video, annoying camera.
I've always wanted to become an Astronomer since I was at age 10. I forged my life around Astronomy by creating an Astronomy Club and popularizing Astronomy at my school from form 1-6. in currently in form 6. Having this on my resume as well as being the president of the technology club as well and joining the national Astronomy Club from since form 1, what are my chances at getting into Oxford University to do physics undergrad with let's say I get a grade I in biology, a grade I in physics and a grade II in math at the unit 1 CAPE examinations and grade all grade I in the unit 2 CAPE examinations with grade I being the highest possible grade per subject and grade II being the second highest you can achieve? Pure maths I hate with a passion however I love maths involved with physics equation maybe because it makes sense doing it rather than doing math by itself just for math's sake.
+SimonOxfPhys
I think you sound like the ideal person for the course - you've demonstrated your passion for the subject and will get some great grades to prove it! I would say that if you can get that maths grade up to a grade I, as the Oxford physics course is very mathematical and they will expect you to be good at it. Other than that though keep doing what you're doing, keep looking skyward, and keep dreaming!
SimonOxfPhys thanks for the quick, honest reply.
with oxford physics being an MSc (4 years) not a BSc (3 years) (it's 4 years for this in our country though without being chartered), can I go straight into PH. D in astrophysics After undergrad?
+SimonoxfPhys
Yep, and that's what I in fact did!
Do you have any advice on getting science related work experience?
Does every candidate have an interview or is it just certain courses??
+Casy Johnson Every course interviews candidates, though due to the numbers applying not every applicant will be offered an interview
system hack
all electronics are offline
She is voice so sweet
Hi! I wonder if, per example, in case you are studying mathematics subject, could you attend to lectures about different subjects if you had time?
+Claudia Arenas Absolutely yes! Any student can attend any lecture as far as I know
+SimonOxfPhys I have one more question! Is there any problem if you attend to the test twice because first time you couldn't do your best? Thank you very much for answering me!
+Claudia Arenas so these are called resits and it's a rather complicated subject! Basically if you resat the exam before you made your application then it's not a problem, and if you are going to resit the exam after the application then it's more of a problem (but not a complete deal breaker unless you did really badly the first time around)
Does it matter if you take your IGCSEs early or not? for example I took my Spanish one in year nine.
Also if you do a levels in subjects that could provide you different career options, would you have to choose the career you want or not and would it be more likely of you to get into Oxford if you knew exactly what college (cause there are about 30?) you wanted to go to
+Raluca Baicu I believe that it does count in your favour, as it very much shows that you are passionate about your subject. It's also a great item to talk about in interviews, to prove that fact. As for your second question, I'm afraid I don't quite know what you're asking?
+SimonOxfPhys in a country like kenya there is the british system (GCSE)and the kenyan system (KCSE) so what if i studied the kenyan system, can i apply for oxford uni
Yes absolutely! See www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/international-students/international-qualifications for more information about how Oxford looks at international qualifications :)
+SimonOxfPhys thank you very much
@SimonOxfPhys Thanks once again
See the description.
and percentage
How do you get free time? I'm in a magnet middle school and I only get like 10 mins of free time
lol i call bullshit
I am currently taking 4 APs and I have WAY more than 10 min of free time
there are many middle schools with harder courses than ap
***** bitch please
Just stop
Killian Defaoite Unfortuantely I am not wrong. There are a bunch of genius middle schools (at least in the US) and I have had the pleasure to meet these kids through mathematics competitions. They really showed me not just how insignificant an AP course is, but how much there is to learn in the world. so no i wont stop :)
Would international students be called for interviews?
cooldudenirvana123 Yes, but if you can't physically make it to Oxford then they can interview you over Skype :)
SimonOxfPhys if they would invite me to an interview I'd be sitting in a plane by yesterday and jump off with a parachute
Love the bob Ross shirt!