The secret to getting selected to Oxbridge
Oxbridge undergraduate Chong Zhao Ren spoke about his experience during the Oxbridge roadshow. Picture: BT/Susan Shim
Friday, September 3, 2010
Local students aspiring to enter the esteemed Oxford and Cambridge universities were provided with information on the selection criteria yesterday at the fourth Oxbridge roadshow held at the Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah College (Maktab Duli).
As guest of honours, the British High Commissioner to Brunei and his wife made a joint presentation to students attending the roadshow.
Rob and Julia Fenn had both attended Cambridge in the 1980s with the High Commissioner attending Peterhouse College and his wife attending the Girton College. But, they both also held out the outstanding qualities of Oxford.
They stressed that both universities were a "possible dream" for Bruneian students.
High Commissioner Fenn said: "There is a British university for every Bruneian student. British universities treasure their Bruneian customers, and were always on the look out for ways to sustain the trust which Bruneians and their government have placed in British universities over the years."
As Cambridge graduates, however, the Fenns agreed that there was "something special" about Oxbridge and said they were happy to help Bruneians prepare for the application process in any way they could.
Julia Fenn stressed that both universities would be looking for "passion" which includes a commitment to work hard and play hard, centred around a clear idea of what the prospective student wanted to study, and of who they were.
The Fenns also touched on the importance of a "polished" personal statement, resulting from a change to the application process since their days.
In addition, Lim Chiao Yin, currently in his second year studying Biochemistry at University College, Oxford said: "The interview was very tough. After I sat down, the first question they asked was why I was interested in Biochemistry and they also gave me a problem sheet which I had to solve."
He added that the key point to writing a personal statement is to show enthusiasm and passion for the course chosen.
Meanwhile, Chong Zhao Ren said: "People always say that the interview is daunting. But actually it's more about your thoughts and how you articulate."
The second year university student studying Land Economy at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge advised students not to be afraid of applying to Oxbridge.
"If you don't apply there, you probably won't have the chance to get in, so just apply and everything will be alright," said Chong.
The Brunei Times
As guest of honours, the British High Commissioner to Brunei and his wife made a joint presentation to students attending the roadshow.
Rob and Julia Fenn had both attended Cambridge in the 1980s with the High Commissioner attending Peterhouse College and his wife attending the Girton College. But, they both also held out the outstanding qualities of Oxford.
They stressed that both universities were a "possible dream" for Bruneian students.
High Commissioner Fenn said: "There is a British university for every Bruneian student. British universities treasure their Bruneian customers, and were always on the look out for ways to sustain the trust which Bruneians and their government have placed in British universities over the years."
As Cambridge graduates, however, the Fenns agreed that there was "something special" about Oxbridge and said they were happy to help Bruneians prepare for the application process in any way they could.
Julia Fenn stressed that both universities would be looking for "passion" which includes a commitment to work hard and play hard, centred around a clear idea of what the prospective student wanted to study, and of who they were.
The Fenns also touched on the importance of a "polished" personal statement, resulting from a change to the application process since their days.
In addition, Lim Chiao Yin, currently in his second year studying Biochemistry at University College, Oxford said: "The interview was very tough. After I sat down, the first question they asked was why I was interested in Biochemistry and they also gave me a problem sheet which I had to solve."
He added that the key point to writing a personal statement is to show enthusiasm and passion for the course chosen.
Meanwhile, Chong Zhao Ren said: "People always say that the interview is daunting. But actually it's more about your thoughts and how you articulate."
The second year university student studying Land Economy at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge advised students not to be afraid of applying to Oxbridge.
"If you don't apply there, you probably won't have the chance to get in, so just apply and everything will be alright," said Chong.
The Brunei Times
No comments:
Post a Comment