Oxford interviews can be daunting experiences Monday, January 31, 2011
Road to Oxford
Oxford interviews can be daunting experiences Oxford University has finished selecting its new intake of students for 2011. It's a world-famous institution that has educated 25 British prime ministers. So what's the secret to getting in?
Thousands of students have now heard whether they have been offered places at Oxford University.
For those that have nervously opened the envelope to find good news, they have the added satisfaction of knowing they succeeded in what the university says was the most competitive year yet. More than 17,200 people were chasing 3,200 places.
The application process has a daunting reputation and, for state school pupils, it can seem especially difficult. While only 7% of pupils in England and Wales are from the independent sector, they make up around 46% of Oxford's undergraduates.
The university says these stats don't tell the whole story, because a third of students with all A grades in their A-levels - the pool of talent from which Oxford students are drawn - are privately educated.
Getting in is hard, but perhaps not as hard as people think, says Mike Nicholson, the university's head of undergraduate admissions, with on average five applications for every place.
"We're looking for students who are intelligent - very interested in their subject and who can demonstrate their interest," he says.
So what are the ingredients of a successful application?
1. HAVE CHUTZPAHA touch of impudence can go a long way, says Mark Robinson, head of history at Barton Peverel College in Eastleigh, a state school with a good track record of getting students into Oxford.
Find out moreHow to Get into Oxford is on BBC Radio 4 on Monday 31 January at 2000 GMTOr catch up via the BBC iPlayerHow to Get into Oxford
"It's about having confidence in your own opinions, even when someone else says 'that couldn't be right'.
"Rather than the pupil giving ground, saying 'oh dear, silly me', we want them to say 'don't be ridiculous, of course that's the case'.
"It's an adversarial style of discussion. When we do our mock interviews and extra lessons with history students, I encourage them to argue."
Mike Nicholson Oxford University“There is a presumption that if applying to Oxford, you have to be incredibly well-rounded... you don't”
The small class sizes of independent schools help cultivate this skill because they make pupils feel special and give them a sense of entitlement, he says.
Pupils who stick up for themselves stand out, says Oxford professor Thomas Noe.
"What we are looking for is a student who can address issues in a logical fashion, reason from premises to conclusion, we're looking for someone who can stand up for their own ideas but is not particularly inflexible."
Even if a student is hesitant or shy, how well he thinks will still be evident, he says.
2. UNLEASH YOUR GEEKExtra-curricular activities are not that important, says Mr Nicholson.
"There is a presumption that if applying to Oxford, you have to be incredibly well-rounded.
"It's not good enough just to be academic. You have to have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, raised £10,000 for charity and rescued three children from a burning building, all these fantastic achievements. You don't."
Some students have well-rounded activities and some don't. But they are all smart and that's the key, he says.
3. BE PASSIONATEIt's important to communicate your enthusiasm for your subject and not appear like you're regurgitating lines, says Bethany White, 17, who is heading to Mansfield College to study language and literature.
Show passion, says Bethany "It was all natural. When I was talking, I hadn't planned anything and maybe that helped. I didn't have preconceived ideas. it was spontaneous."
Go for it and be yourself, adds Bethany, from Taunton's College in Southampton.
"And your passion really. The enthusiasm and passion is really important, and if you haven't got that then don't bother."
4. PUT IN THE HOURSAt Barton Peverel College, students in their final year complete nearly four hours a week of extra classes in preparation.
Showing a knowledge beyond the A-level syllabus is crucial, and that's what makes the interview the most important part of the application, says Sos Eltis, an English tutor at Brasenose who teaches other Oxford professors how to interview.
It's about identifying the pupils who think about more widely, for whom A-levels seem to hold them back.
"You can't see that from paper alone. You have to interview them."
There is also a programme of week-long, residential classes over the summer, run by the university, called Uniq.
Lawrence Holdsworth, 18, who will study history at Somerville College, says it made all the difference to him.
"The Uniq summer school gave me a good taster of the teaching system which was something that I really enjoyed. The debating that comes with it and how you get to explore matters and really go off on a tangent. That is something I definitely advise."
5. GO TO A SCHOOL WITH KNOW-HOWSchools can develop relationships with colleges, says Mr Robinson of Barton Peverel College in Eastleigh. Once you get a student into a college, that college will often write and say that they would like us to send more students. Some colleges seem to take students from the same schools year after year.
Ragulan credits his family Families also play a big part in providing the right encouragement and work ethic at home.
Ragulan Vigneswaran, 17, says his Sri Lankan parents have been a big factor in his success in getting to Balliol College.
"From a young age, my parents really tried to instil into me that education is pretty much the most important thing.
"My mother I remember was teaching me maths from a really young age because she wanted me to become really adept at it and become passionate in the subject in the way she was.
"They have been supporting me continuously and encouraging me to study more - encouraging out of school study - to make myself more knowledgeable and prepared for the future."
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/magazine-12308121
weight loss reverse lookup satellite tv for pc get ex back woodworking plan
'Man boobs' surgery on rise
BBC Radio 5 live Breakfast's Nicky Campbell speaks to a man who has been under the knife five times. 
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12324204
get ex back woodworking plan weight loss reverse lookup satellite tv for pc
Addicted to playing computer games
A government advisor's warning that teenage addiction to computer games is set to rise steeply over the next few years. An adolescent describes his problems. 
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-12309815
woodworking plan weight loss reverse lookup satellite tv for pc get ex back
MLAs support cycling helmets bill
The proposal is to fine anyone caught on a bike without a helmet £50 Northern Ireland Assembly members have voted in favour of a bill to make the wearing of cycle helmets compulsory.
The second stage of the Cyclists (Protective Headgear) Bill was passed by a margin of two votes.
If it eventually becomes law cyclists not wearing a helmet will be liable for a £50 fine.
Cycling organisations have warned it could lead to a dramatic drop in the number of people who cycle.
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-12330639
woodworking plan weight loss reverse lookup satellite tv for pc get ex back
Wife in Chirac Alzheimer's denial
Mr Chirac told a TV reporter he was feeling fine The wife of French former President Jacques Chirac has denied reports that he is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Bernadette Chirac told French radio that she was "scandalised" by the claims, little more than a month before her husband's trial for corruption.
Mr Chirac, president from 1995 to 2007, is facing two sets of allegations from his time as mayor of Paris.
A court in Paris confirmed on Monday that the trial would start on 7 March.
On Sunday, the newspaper Journal du Dimanche reported that the former president, 78, had suffered from memory lapses, according to unnamed friends, and added that his wife feared he had Alzheimer's.
But Mrs Chirac told French station Europe 1 on Monday that the reports were "a lie" and that she had "never spoken of that disease of Alzheimer's regarding my husband".
"If my husband was suffering from that illness I wouldn't hesitate in saying so," she said.
Mr Chirac himself told a reporter from BFMTV outside his home that his health was fine: "Do I look as if I'm not talking well? I am very well, thank you. I wish you the same good health."
Bernadette Chirac“He has always said that he wanted to be treated under the law just as anyone else”
The former president is accused of embezzlement and breach of trust in a bogus jobs scandal. It involved the funding of party allies with taxpayers' money while he was mayor of Paris. A further charge of illegal conflict of interest was added last November.
Mr Chirac's lawyer, Jean Veil, tried on Monday to have the case delayed pending a complaint by anti-corruption group Anticor. Last September, the Paris city authorities agreed to drop a civil suit in return for a 2.2m euro (£1.89m) payment from Mr Chirac and the ruling UMP party.
The court rejected Mr Veil's request, described by Anticor as "a manipulation".
Mrs Chirac insisted that her husband would go on trial: "He has always said that he wanted to be treated under the law just as anyone else. He must be treated no better but no worse than anyone else too."
While he did suffer from some problems with walking and hearing, Mrs Chirac said it was not clear whether these were linked to his age or a vascular condition for which he had treatment in 2005.
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-12322414
woodworking plan weight loss reverse lookup satellite tv for pc get ex back
Clinton: No freeze for Haiti aid
Hillary Clinton wants Haiti to heed the recommendations issued by the OAS US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has told reporters the US would not be suspending aid to Haiti.
She rejected suggestions that the US would cut off aid to pressure Haiti into accepting the recommendations made by the Organisation of American States (OAS) to settle the electoral crisis.
She was speaking ahead of a meeting with Haitian President Rene Preval and the presidential candidates in Haiti.
Final results of the first round of the election are expected on Wednesday.
Mrs Clinton stressed she wanted to see the recommendations made by the OAS enacted.
"We want to see the voices and votes of the Haitian people acknowledged and recognised," she said shortly after landing at Port-au-Prince airport.
Electoral crisis
The OAS has called for the government-backed candidate, Jude Celestin, to pull out of the race after monitors accused his supporters of rigging the first round of the election in his favour.
His party has withdrawn its backing, but Mr Celestin has refused to confirm that he is pulling out.
Asked if the Obama Administration was considering an embargo or a suspension of aid, Mrs Clinton answered that they were "not talking about any of that".
"We have a deep commitment to the Haitian people," she added.
Last month, US Senator Patrick Leahy, the Vermont Democrat who oversees foreign aid for Haiti, called for a halt to funds until the crisis was resolved.
At the time, Mrs Clinton said that Haitian officials should heed Senator Leahy's warning and ensure a fair outcome to the election.
Preliminary results of the first round put former first lady Mirlande Manigat in first place and Jude Celestin in second, edging out the third-placed candidate, Michel Martelly.
Mr Martelly's supporters said the poll had been rigged in Mr Celestin's favour, an allegation which was later backed up by international monitors.
Under pressure from the United Nations, the OAS and the US, Mr Celestin's party withdrew its backing, but Mr Celestin has not yet confirmed whether he will bow out.
On Friday, the electoral commission said it would announce the results of the disputed first round on Wednesday, and set the date for the second and final round for 20 March 2011.
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-latin-america-12320764
satellite tv for pc get ex back woodworking plan weight loss reverse lookup
Burmese parliament opens session
More than 1,000 deputies will gather for the session The new parliament in Burma has convened for the first time since elections were held last November.
The poll was widely criticised by western governments and by democracy activists within Burma.
The first sitting of the bicameral national parliament brings into effect a new constitution and officially ends nearly 50 years of military rule.
But critics say the real power in Burma will still be in the hands of a few key generals.
A quarter of seats in parliament are reserved for serving members of the armed forces.
In Burma's remote jungle capital, Naypyitaw, newly-elected politicians and their newly-appointed military equivalents opened their session in a newly-built parliament at 0855 (0225 GMT), a time chosen for its auspiciousness.
The vast majority of the seats are occupied by members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) which is backed by the current military government.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her party will not be in the new parliament The USDP won almost 77% of the vote in November's election. Critics say this thumping majority was achieved partly through intimidation and fraud, and partly because the pro-democracy party led by Aung San Sui Kyi decided to boycott.
Although there are some independent politicians in parliament, the USDP's dominance, backed by the military caucus, appears to tilt it in favour of the status quo.
One of the first duties of the new parliament is to form an electoral college to nominate candidates for president and vice president.
Only then will it become clear who will hold the reigns of power in the new-look Burma.
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-asia-pacific-12321085
reverse lookup satellite tv for pc get ex back woodworking plan weight loss
Facebook's local mobile deals
Users can get discounts for local businesses when they check in online at locations they are visiting. 
This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/technology-12328291
satellite tv for pc get ex back woodworking plan weight loss reverse lookup
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Is this a Barton Peverel College advertorial by any chance?
Link to this