The situation: My hardworking stepson has been offered an interview for Law at Oxford. He is the only applicant at his large comprehensive to apply & achieve this. The school cannot help him prepare 😭 Can anyone here offer to help/ chat to him? Msg below & I will follow for DM 🙏🏾🤞🏾 - ThreadSky | a Reddit-style client for Bluesky

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social • 84 days ago

The situation: My hardworking stepson has been offered an interview for Law at Oxford. He is the only applicant at his large comprehensive to apply & achieve this. The school cannot help him prepare 😭 Can anyone here offer to help/ chat to him? Msg below & I will follow for DM 🙏🏾🤞🏾

Comments

annakotova.bsky.social•84 days ago

Hi. I read Law at Oxford, happy to chat as I was in the same situation.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Dear Anna, that would be amazing, Matthew suggests a meeting later this week or even at weekend. I have followed you if you want to send me your deets. 🙏🏾😀

tom-courtney.bsky.social•84 days ago

I read Law at Cambridge. Best interview advice I was given was to not worry about not knowing the answer, but to show *how* you would work it out. They want to be reassured that you can think through problems and demonstrate how you analyse them.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Thank you Tom! 🙏🏾🙂

baryonic2.bsky.social•83 days ago

congrats and good luck to the lad!!

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•83 days ago

Oh thank you!

cpwithblackdog.bsky.social•84 days ago

Just wanted to say well done to your step-son for getting an interview! He must have worked very hard.
Hope he can get the support he deserves & does his best in the interview.

chris198485.bsky.social•84 days ago

Ive now a few people get in and few not, one very confident and eloquent got in, one also confident didnt, similarly Ive seen shy people get in and not......the common factor in all that got in was lots of interests....volunteering, hobbies, sports, musical instruments.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Thank you Chris! Matt is a huge football fan, plays for local teams & season tkt for AFCB. Works at local chippie & has volunteered locally for a hospice & museum. So 🤞🏾🙂

chris198485.bsky.social•84 days ago

That should stand him in good stead, and a bit of poetic licence never hurt anyone.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

He's just come home and I am telling him about all support from BlueSkyers. Anxiety levels are falling asleep we speak!

chris198485.bsky.social•84 days ago

There is still a snootiness at Oxford, but he got there from a comp, he did it without the advantage of private education. Head up, chest out, he is better than them.

timmorton2.bsky.social•84 days ago

Not to mention some of those private schools have allotted numbers of places for their school.

paulbarbour.bsky.social•84 days ago

Good luck to him !

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

I conducted interviews for admissions to Law at Oxford for many years, but haven't for 15. This video by a student (see especially from 10 minutes onwards) seems sensible to me.

What else to say?

/1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztk7I28gxpo

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

This is just an informal view, I don't speak on behalf of anyone else.

First, tutors are primarily looking for the most able people they can find who will get the most out of the degree. That is in their own interests.

/2

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

Second, where possible it is in the institutions interests if people from under represented groups can be admitted. Lawyers are interested in justice, and so naturally want to do that, whilst also treating everyone equitably.

/3

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

Third, it is important in furthering the primary goal to ensure that everyone has a level playing field. that means ensuring that the interview *cannot* be prepared for. if it could be that would place some candidates at an unfair advantage.

/4

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

The Alan Bennett film "The History Boys" reflects Bennett's experience as a candidate in the 1950s. That world has gone.

Law is fortunately a subject where you can interview and assume a prior knowledge of zero. nothing.

/5

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

Indeed, a mistake that candidates sometimes make is to try to apply the (miniscule) amount of law they do know to the particular problem or question they're asked. That is an easy way of coming unstuck. Just think about any materials you're given and the questions asked.

/6

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Your kindness in taking time to explain the process is astounding. Thank you, this has made such a difference to his anxiety and stress levels 🤗❤️

spinninghugo.bsky.social•84 days ago

FWIIW, I was in exactly the same position he is now in, many years ago.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Wow, thank you again ❤️

gailfairman.bsky.social•84 days ago

📌

doctorpreece.bsky.social•84 days ago

Not a lawyer, so can't necessarily do the law-specific mock interview, but very happy to help/chat about interview prep in general if it helps.

rosalindinkent.bsky.social•84 days ago

Some of the Oxford colleges have very good accessibility programmes. Might be worth contacting the admissions department directly for help or reassurance. Wishing him luck!
Also perhaps @barristersecret.bsky.social might repost? 🙏

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Thank you Rosalind, we are very very proud of him whatever happens ❤️

rosalindinkent.bsky.social•84 days ago

I'm sure you are! He sounds like a treasure!

rafaelbehr.bsky.social•84 days ago

Have followed. Might be able to help.

mrs-topcat.bsky.social•84 days ago

My daughter is a 1st gen Oxford graduate from a non-selective state school; different subject but if you want to DM me I’ll ask her if she’d mind passing on her knowledge.

kazhawa.bsky.social•84 days ago

I think there are some helpful things on YouTube such as the following. You’ll also find some videos that introduce you to the tutorial system which can be a little daunting if you’ve come from a comprehensive.

https://youtu.be/2AO5DyNC-Yg?si=swyPWiT84OyNxj7E

alexallenfranks.bsky.social•83 days ago

I was involved in law admissions interviews at Cambridge for 2 years. Assuming it’s the same, I echo the advice you’ve received already: it’s not usually helpful when students try to show that they already have legal knowledge because it’s often wrong or inapplicable.

alexallenfranks.bsky.social•83 days ago

What we were looking for was the ability to think about the consequences of a particular answer eg “if the situation is X, that might have the effect of Y”. Considering counter arguments and being flexible to change an answer if needed. Showing how the student thinks.

alexallenfranks.bsky.social•83 days ago

As an example, one topic we explored with interviewees was whether a jury should be told in a criminal case that a defendant has a previous conviction. Often you will talk it through and then the interviewer will change the scenario slightly and see how that changes the answer.

alexallenfranks.bsky.social•83 days ago

We also showed a piece of legislation to the student (which was made up, so it’s not something that can be prepared in advance) and asked questions about what the text meant and how it might apply in situation X, Y, Z.

Good luck!

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•83 days ago

Dear Alex, amazing advice - thank you! 🙏🏾😊

someshtaori.bsky.social•84 days ago

i just graduated from Oxford with a law degree - happy to help if you follow and DM

growmusic.bsky.social•84 days ago

congrats!

ricparkin.bsky.social•84 days ago

My wife takes these inteviews (different subject but still Oxbridge), and what they're usually looking for is *potential*. Are you interested in the subject, clever, self motivated, and teachable. So, no blagging, say what you know, be honest what you don't know, and how you'd approach the problem.

growlikegrandad.bsky.social•84 days ago

I thought I'd ask my daughter for her opinion, she decided not to apply to Oxford, she's got offers for law at Cardiff and Birmingham instead. But she is college a-level based, they push self-help on top of oxbridge streaming. YouTube examples apparently and online tutors?
https://youtu.be/2AO5DyNC-Yg?si=qhHhD6TJ5OeriNEv

vronr.bsky.social•84 days ago

Public schools are so much better at preparing pupils to be able to talk and articulate ideas. Smaller classes and more emphasis. Unfair of course.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Yes, he's got this far through very hard work & determination. And now - we are just a bit lost as to how to prepare. BUT the help here has been astonishing!! 🎉🌟

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Amazing - thank you! Cardiff gave him an offer for Law - so this is very heartening to hear!

growlikegrandad.bsky.social•84 days ago

I noticed that our local comprehensive is a little less well primed for the entire uni application process. The college has students paying for early application access with offers inside a week. The students at comprehensive are only just applying now. Resources probably more stretched.

actuallysue.bsky.social•84 days ago

Good luck to him, I hope someone here can help 🤞

joeyheroin.bsky.social•84 days ago

Why can’t the school help?

oncewassven.bsky.social•84 days ago

Because they won't have the experience of the process and won't know how to

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Exactly this.

joeyheroin.bsky.social•84 days ago

I don’t understand. It has a sixth form? But no understanding of going to university?

oncewassven.bsky.social•84 days ago

The interview process at Oxford is not something any of the teachers at most state comprehensives have any experience of and so they can't offer the guidance on preparation.

It's one of the many ways that privately educated pupils manage to keep Oxbridge places disproportionately to themselves.

joeyheroin.bsky.social•84 days ago

Yeah, I probably wouldn’t understand it either not having been to any of the posh ones. Must be really hard.

filangdon.bsky.social•84 days ago

The process for Uxbridge is quite different. I'm sure the school can help to some extent but not with the specialist guidance this young person would benefit from.

cjbill.bsky.social•84 days ago

Unexpected I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue?

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Yes that's it Fi. He has asked teachers but they cannot advise and living in rural Dorset, well our options are limited....

joeyheroin.bsky.social•84 days ago

Ha ha ha no one ever went to a “good” university from Dorset?

filangdon.bsky.social•84 days ago

Oxbridge, bloody autocorrect.

cronin.xxx•79 days ago

Try this: https://www.magd.ox.ac.uk/considering-magdalen/chat-with-students/
Good luck to him!
(Personally I'm happy to help with general Oxford questions, but I studied Physics, not law.)

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•79 days ago

Thanks James! He is fully prepared after all the help offered, he had a good interview too 🙏🏾🤞🏾❤️

cronin.xxx•79 days ago

BRILLIANT! Well done him. I was the first in my family to go to University so I know a little about how it feels to be unsure how to navigate it. Especially with some of the traditions *cough* weirdness *cough* of Oxford. Wishing him the very best of luck! ❤️🤞❤️ #TeamStepson

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•79 days ago

His Dad is especially proud, having left school with few qualifications to do an apprenticeship in Engineering in which he is now a Director! Honestly we couldn't be prouder! ❤️

timmorton2.bsky.social•84 days ago

Good luck to him, I didn't understand the system at my Cambridge interview, I'd applied to a college with an apparent link to my state school, the interviewer wasn't award of it, then said they didn't have a college tutor for my subject so I'd have to be taught in a different college. Befuddled.

timmorton2.bsky.social•84 days ago

I wasn't offered a place, but, I went to another uni, enjoyed myself, it's not the end of the world. But as I said I wish him all the best of luck, be yourself and as dad said "you don't have to know the answer but you do have to know how to find it."

timmorton2.bsky.social•84 days ago

I was concerned as at that time Cambridge Uni admitted nine times as many men as women, how would I get a girlfriend?

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

😅 Important considerations for a young man!

doc-c.bsky.social•84 days ago

I went to Oxford from a comp. It was many years ago and I studied maths but very happy to help in any way I can.

andyg1963.bsky.social•84 days ago

I can’t help I’m sorry, but can I just offer my congratulations and best wishes for the interview.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Thank you Andy, that is a great kindness that you offer ❤️

geraintultimus.bsky.social•84 days ago

In Wales there is the Seren Network https://equaleducationpartners.com/seren-programme/, which helps children and their parents realise that Oxbridge is attainable and over a number of years will help them with talks, workshops, retreats and other things.

addymax.bsky.social•84 days ago

Seren was great helping one son from comp get into Cambridge, but wouldn't aid the other as GCSEs below the cut off. That one managed UCL off his own bat but it turned me off Seren. Kids develop at different rates and Seren doesn't seem to recognise that.

geraintultimus.bsky.social•84 days ago

My daughter has just started the process and she is in Year 10 so cannot say how good it is, but the best thing I knew about. Yes, understand there is a cut off but thought I'd suggest as a starting point for help (though only in Wales)

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

How fantastic that this support stream exists. We don't have anything like that here. The kids are quite on their own when applying.

addymax.bsky.social•84 days ago

As I understand it, the Seren network was set up to address deep-seated higher educational inequalities here in Wales compared to England especially. But yes would be good to see something similar for state-schooled kids across the UK

geraintultimus.bsky.social•84 days ago

My understanding though is there isn't an equivalent in England. Maybe https://theelephantgroup.org/ if that can?

basilbrushoff.bsky.social•84 days ago

The prev tips re college outreach teams are good. Biggest two hints I can offer from my experience (briefly worked in a related role) are that enthusiasm for the specific programme is key, and that extracurriculars are generally only valued as far as they contribute to his study. (1/2)

basilbrushoff.bsky.social•84 days ago

(2/2) e.g. for law, they won't care about "volunteer at chess club" or "captain of football team" nearly as much as something like debate club, moot court, etc.

semi-related, if he mentions specific books, interests, etc. in his personal statement or application, be prepared to talk about them.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Thank you so much! He did work exp with our local MP, a solicitor & he captained his local football team (perhaps leadership?). He is keen on Family Law as he wa ins affected deeply by his parents divorce & wrote about this ok his PS 😔

basilbrushoff.bsky.social•84 days ago

All sounds good. My exp was in int'l undergrad recruitment so a little different, hence steering away from a maybe US-style over-focus on lots of extracurriculars, but it sounds like his work exp has been planned to fit his long-term goals which is what they look for. Sounds like he'll do great.

abbyinnes.bsky.social•84 days ago

He sounds wonderful, interesting and curious about the world, so his feeling entitled to be all those things: to be cheerfully his own very real intellectual and interesting self, that’s great! They are asking ‘will this person be happy and thrive in this course?’ So, he can love the conversation!🌻

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

You are so kind Abby, thank you x

abbyinnes.bsky.social•83 days ago

You’re so welcome! I’m a comp kid and it’s all too natural to internalise the sense these places are otherworldly, and as you know, you get there and find a community of…people! Really nerdy, enthusiastic, obsessive, often morally serious, wonderful people! So he should be his lovely human self!🙏

amhoward.bsky.social•84 days ago

Here's a little secret: private schools use third parties for their prep - for example, https://oxbridgeinterviews.co.uk/

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

WOW 😳

amhoward.bsky.social•84 days ago

I have no view or insight into how helpful this sort of thing is - but it's hardly going to be earth-shattering news that spending money might help the process.

braddieboy.bsky.social•84 days ago

My daughter went to a Physics taster day at Balliol college Oxford where they did a session on mock interviews with third year students, she said they key was not necessarily being able to answer all the questions but showing that you have the determination overcome what you don’t know

doiredoire.bsky.social•84 days ago

My knowledge is well out of date, and STEM based too, but the interview was traditionally where you could show passion and curiosity rather what you already knew or had studied.
That would seem to track.

anjanakhatwa.bsky.social•84 days ago

Excellent advice Brad, thank you! And good luck to your daughter 🤞🏾🌟