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Each course's info page outlines the scores and skills required for entry. There may be requirements for languages, standardized test scores, and grades. Beyond these metrics, you'll be asked to submit supporting materials like references, a personal statement, writing samples, and official transcripts. Plus, your course may have a dedicated admissions exam. The undergraduate Classics course, for example, requires 2 writing samples, proficiency in Greek or Latin, and the completion of the Classics Admissions Test. As for grades, it requires 3 "A" grades at the A-level and an IB score of 39. If A-levels and the IB sound unfamiliar, don't worry! Oxford outlines international requirements for students applying from outside the U.K. A student from the U.S. would need a score of 1,470 on the SATs or a 32 on the ACT. You're going to need to work very hard to get admitted to Oxford, not to mention once you start your university studies. Learn to love studying and to thrive under a rigorous study schedule. Genuine enthusiasm and curiosity can get you very far in the admissions process. Go beyond the standard curriculum. For the ideal Oxford candidate, things learned in school and for standardized tests are still fairly limited in scope. Broaden your knowledge as much as possible. If you have the financial resources, take extra classes at a local community college, summer school, or tutoring center. If you can't afford to pay for additional courses, teach yourself more about your subject by reading as much about it as you can get your hands on. Go to a nearby university library and check their collection of books, do Internet searches on your subject, etc. As rigid as this may seem, it's important. Oxford has extremely high standards when it comes to grades, so they need to be perfect. Don't let extracurricular activities overshadow your academic work. It's a myth that you must be incredibly well-rounded to be accepted into Oxford. While some Oxford students have lots of extracurricular interests, others may be solely focused on their passion for study. This doesn't mean you should give up an activity you really love and bury yourself in books all day, every day. Passions and talents are always attractive in candidatesand besides, they make your life more enjoyable. At Oxford, students belong to a department or faculty as well as a college or hall. The university is comprised of over 30 colleges, which function as academic communities where students have small-group study sessions called tutorials. (Lectures, testing, grading, etc. is organized by the department.) Each college also has its own dining hall, common room and library, plus groups and societies. Find out which colleges accept applications for your course of study by visiting the course page of the university website. Browse information about the colleges on the website. You'll find they differ in terms of accommodation, location, funding opportunities, and whether they are for graduates and undergraduates alike. Your application is judged by the department, not the college, so your candidacy will not be affected by your choice of college. You might also be reallocated to a college different from the one you applied to. You also have the option of making an "open application" by entering the specified code on your application (see application instructions for more details). In this case, the university will assign you to a college or hall. The fastest way to do this is by visiting the course page of the website, as well as the general undergraduate admissions information page. Admissions requirements include certain scores on standardized tests, coursework in high school, and examples of written work. You'll also need to write a personal statement about the subject you've chosen to study, and a reference from a teacher or advisor. Find out how many references your course requires. Schedule meetings with your potential references during which you'll explain your intentions at Oxford as well as the recommendation process. Once they confirm, you can register these individuals through your online application. Since every university follows a different timeline and process, your references may not be familiar with Oxford's. You'll need to clearly communicate the ins and outs of the recommendation process as well as the deadline. Be prepared to share your transcripts, writing samples, and personal statement with your recommender. This can help them decide how best to describe your abilities and qualities. If you'd like them to describe a specific instance or attribute, don't be afraid to say so. Give your potential references time to consider your request. Once the reference has been submitted, follow up with a thank-you card and keep your recommenders up-to-date on your application status. Accepted standardized tests include IELTS, TOEFL, CAE, CPE, the English Language GCSE, International Baccalaureate Standard Level in English, and the European Baccalaureate. If the department you've applied to thinks your application is strong enough, they'll shortlist you. In that case, you need to attend an interview. However, sometimes applicants receive notice that they've been shortlisted just a few days before the interview is scheduled. In that case, you should be ready to go. Check the interview timetable on the university website for dates when they're holding interviews. The interview schedule is very tight, and rescheduling is generally not possible. Keep in mind that accommodation and meals are free of charge when you come for your interview. If you have a disability, let the university know as soon as possible so they can accommodate you during the interview scheduling and process. International students living far from the UK may be able to schedule an interview over the phone or Internet. The exception is applicants for Medicine, who must come to Oxford. You'll receive a letter from the college if you've been selected to come to an interview. It might be very short notice, up to a week in advance. During the interview you'll be asked questions whose aim is not for you to regurgitate what you already know, but rather to apply the knowledge you have to solve new tasks. The interview tutor wants to hear you think aloud, so practice this in advance with a friend or teacher, with them asking you questions and you talking through your response. An applicant to psychology might be asked why studies have shown that Welsh speakers have more difficulty memorizing phone numbers than English speakers. Hopefully, the interviewee would be able to make the connection that memory and arithmetic depend on how easily pronounced the words are (Welsh numbers are longer than English ones). A would-be art history student might be asked to discuss a painting that they've never seen before. In this case they could apply their analytical skills, refer to relevant influences or movements, etc. Remember, the best preparation you can have is a broad knowledge of your area of focus. The university's website features clips of mock interviews. This is a great opportunity to get a sense of the interview format. You can also find sample questions on the Interview section of the university's website. The tutor will try to put you at ease by asking you some simple questions to start off with, such as about your personal statement. Be sure you reread your statement and any other written work you've submitted with your application so you're ready to talk about it. Your letter of invitation will specify any documents you need to bring along, but it's a good idea to bring a copy of your personal statement. Dress comfortably on your interview. The tutors who interview you tend to be casually dressed, and formal dress on your part is not at all required.
Review the course's application requirements and selection criteria. Develop a strong work ethic. Be passionate about your area of study. Get perfect grades in high school. Decide which Oxford school or college you want to attend. Find out the entrance requirements for your chosen field of study. Seek out academic references from professors and mentors in the summer. Take an English-language proficiency test if you're not a native speaker. Keep potential dates for your Oxford interview free. Practice talking through your thinking process. Watch mock interview clips. Be prepared to talk about your personal statement and possibly other schoolwork at the interview.