Interview Tips

By Matilda Brown

Congratulations, you’ve been invited to interview at Oxford! You’re probably feeling a mix of emotions right now, whether that be excitement about the next stage of the application process, or anxiety about what is to come. Don’t worry, because as someone who had five interviews (you likely won’t have this many!), I’d like to offer my top tips to both come across well to your interviewer, and to feel at ease with the process yourself.

Tip one: Know what you’ve said you know

This might sound a bit silly at first, but hear me out. The interviewers don’t expect you to be a dictionary or Einstein. Instead of cramming and trying to know everything you possibly can about your subject, just focus on knowing inside and out your personal statement, any written work, and admission test answers, and why you gave them. If you can instantly recall these things and can have an articulate conversation about them, you’re halfway there.

Tip two: Stop, think, ask

I’m sorry to say it, but you will get a question during your interview(s) that completely baffles you. When that happens – and do expect it – don’t rush in with the first thing that’s in your head. Take a second, think where you would start with the question, and reason OUT LOUD to the tutors. It’s much better for them to see what you’re thinking and how you’re thinking, and if you go down the wrong path with your reasoning, they’ll be happy to redirect you. If you stay silent when you don’t know, they can’t help.

Tip three: enjoy it

An Oxford interview should be nerve-wracking, of course, but ultimately, you should have come out of it with interesting new perspectives on your field of study. Even if offer day doesn’t go your way, the experience of interviewing at Oxford is one that is both intellectually rewarding and unforgettable. Be proud of how far you’ve come, relax, and just talk about the subject you love.