The problem with Oxford Interviews is you have absolutely no idea how long you will be required to stay. Some students may go home after one day, whilst others may still be there after three. So, bare this in mind when packing…you don’t want to end up wearing the same shirt for three days!
What will I need?
Warm clothes – Oxford gets pretty cold in December, you don’t want to spend your time there shivering your socks off!
Snacks – you will be provided with meals in the beautiful dining halls and no doubt feel like royalty but no one wants to be hungry and tired during an interview, so pack some snacks to keep those energy levels up.
Pens – the likelihood is that these will be provided but for lots of subjects you will be asked to analyse a piece of writing/data before the interview, so be on the safe side and make sure you have a pen for your annotations.
Your notes – you’ve spent weeks meticulously preparing your notes, so now is not the time to ignore them.
If you can, bring along any books you have referred to in your personal statement for any last minute checks when the panic sets in before your interview.
Read through your notes in the time in between interviews to refresh them in your mind.
Spare clothes – what happens if you spill tomato sauce down the one shirt you have brought with you?
Top Tips
Write a list of all the things you want to pack – Oxford interviews are a stressful experience, so don’t add to that stress by realising you have forgotten something important when you arrive.
Be prepared to stay – it’s usually a good sign when Oxford ask to see you again, it means you can’t have been terrible. So, make sure you have packed for at least three days.
Remember – at the end of the day it is your mind that matters!