A Word from the Tutor for Admissions

 

 

We hope you will consider studying at Trinity College. In applying to Oxford you may choose one college as your college of preference on your UCAS form, or you may leave it to the Undergraduate Admissions Offices computer program to choose for you. Trinity College aims to interview as many of its candidates as possible. We make no distinction between those who name us as their college of preference and those who are allocated to us by the computer. For those who are invited to interview, interviews take place in the first or second weeks of December. Candidates stay in their college of preference, usually for at least two nights (there is no charge for accommodation or food). You will need to be available for the duration of the interview period, so please do not make any unbreakable commitments that clash with the interview schedule.

 

Because of the competition for places at Oxford and the rigour of the courses, it is important for tutors to assess their future students' academic ability and potential. We try not to make the interviews too much of an ordeal and we want all candidates to do themselves justice.

 

If you have a disability/access related requirement, or if you require information in an alternative format, please contact the Admissions Officer (admissions@trinity.ox.ac.uk).

 

Professor Valerie Worth
Senior Tutor 

 

General information about visiting Trinity for Interviews

The following section provides additional information about what will happen if you are shortlisted for interview. Please read it in conjunction with the University Interviews Guide which is downloadable from:

www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/finding_out_more/downloads.html

 

Accommodation

All candidates are given a room on an undergraduate staircase on the main College site for the time they are required to be in Oxford. Bed linen (but not towels), breakfast, lunch and evening meal are provided.

 

What should I bring?

We recommend that you pack warm casual clothes- December can be very cold in Oxford- and something to read, because there may be periods of inactivity while you are here. Some students like to bring up some of their work from their current course to go over before the interview; you may also wish to bring your written work (if applicable) and your UCAS Personal Statement so you can remind yourself what you wrote before you meet any tutors.

Bring at lest one change of clothes, as in some subjects (particularly the Arts ones) the length of time you are required to stay in Oxford may be slightly unpredictable. Look at the latest possible date that you might stay in Oxford, and plan around that.

 

What should I wear?

Lots of candidates can be unsure about this. There is absolutely no need to dress formally unless you particularly want to: dress plays no part in the admissions procedure. Wear something that you are comfortable in. Candidates often bring some tidy clothing for interviews so they feel in the right frame of mind for an academic interview, plus a warm coat, sweater and jeans for casual wear. Oxford can be very cold in December!

 

Arrangements at Trinity

Once you arrive, student helpers will show you to your room and direct you to all the important places in the college. Test and interview timetables are pinned up on the notice boards in the Junior Common Room. There is also a list of student helpers and their rooms, so you can call on the helper who is looking after your subject for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat if you like.

The JCR team also organise many (optional) social events, so that not only do applicants have opportunities to relax and feel at home, but they can also easily meet other applicants and have a good time throughout the interview process. Most people end up finding that, regardless of the outcome, the interview process is a lot more enjoyable than they imagined.

The Interview

Applicants will usually have two Trinity interviews with the tutors in the subject they wish to study - check the relevant subject entry for further details. Our tutors want to identify those candidates whose talents and commitment will enable them to derive the most benefit from the courses on offer. They are not trying to trap or embarrass you: on the contrary, it is in their interests as well as yours to ask questions that will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities.

You may be asked to discuss issues arising from your written work (if submitted) or test (if set), more general questions about your studies to date, and why you have chosen your proposed course. In some subjects there may a passage to read half an hour or so before the interview which could also form the basis for discussion. Tutors are looking for academic potential, not just the ability to recite facts already learned. They are not demanding great self-confidence; many candidates are very shy and tutors are sympathetic to their nervousness. One key piece of advice is simply to try and relax and answer honestly, rather than attempting to repeat a rehearsed performance that doesn’t necessarily answer the question posed.

You may also be invited to an interview in another college, in which case the information will be posted in the Junior Common Room. Student guides are available to help you find your way. This should not be interpreted as a sign that you have or have not got a place at Trinity. There are many differing reasons why candidates may be given interviews elsewhere, and many candidates that are interviewed at other colleges find that they are given a place at Trinity when the results are announced.

Samples of Written Work Before/After Interview

Subjects differ in the details of their admissions procedures. All written work should be addressed to:

 

The Admissions Officer

Trinity College

Broad Street

Oxford

OX1 3BH

 

For information regarding tests (either before or at the time of interview) and the submission of written work, please see the relevant course entry on the University's website at:

 

www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate_courses/courses/index.html

 

If you have any further queries about the submission of written work, please contact the Admissions Officer at admissions@trinity.ox.ac.uk.

 

Further information

If you have any further questions about the interviews or the interview process, please contact the Admissions Officer: admissions@trinity.ox.ac.uk

For current students' perceptions of their interviews, please visit the Student Profiles section.