How to prepare for university interviews, applying early, and one special ability that education gives you.
😊 Welcome
This week we take a full, in-depth look at university interviews. Quite simply, the more you know, the better prepared you can be! We look at why it’s almost always a good idea to apply early. And we hear about a special ability you can get from education.
✍️ University admissions interviews: What they are for, what they’ll include and how to prepare for them!
Potentially one of the most intimidating parts of the whole university selection process is the admissions interview.
Most applicants won’t have to face an interview, but anyone applying to professional courses in health or education will probably have one, and anyone applying to Oxford and Cambridge. A good number of courses at the most competitive universities will interview (in particular Imperial and UCL), as will swathes of creative courses (some also including portfolio discussions and/or auditions).
Most advice I’ve seen on interviews tends to revolve around what questions you might be asked and what to wear. I’ll get to these a bit later, but I’ll start by looking a little deeper into why you are being interviewed, what structures the universities might use, who might be involved in these, and what impact it could have on your admissions. The more you know about this, the more sense the whole process will make, and the better you can prepare yourself.
💡 Did You Know?
At this time of year, one of the most common questions asked of UCAS advisers is: “Is there any advantage to applying early?”
Well, I’m afraid that by applying early you are no more likely to get an offer. But…
Provided you have a good application ready, and a good range of choices, I’d definitely say it’s worth applying as early as possible.
You'll have more time to prepare for admissions tests and interviews.
You'll receive decisions earlier.
You'll have more time to attend offer-holder events.
And ultimately, you’ll have more time to make your final decision.
It’s a win, win, win, win!
📢 Quote of the week
“Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.”
Robert Frost, Poet
Ultimately it’s education that takes you to that moment when you realise you can't win an argument by shouting louder.
That however wrong they are, people won't be convinced by your anger, however right your truth is.
That sometimes, quiet confidence is the most powerful tool you have.
Thanks for reading!
Jonathan
🎯 In case you missed it
Just who are admissions tutors anyway?
📅 Next week
Next week we’ll be having a look at the Russell Group. What is it? And does it really matter?
