Applying from North America

Current Oxford and Cambridge students answer your questions about their experience applying from North America! 🇺🇸🇨🇦

Our panellists:

🇺🇸 Parth (United States, Philosophy & Theology, Oxford)
🇨🇦 Peter (Canada, Maths, Oxford)
🇺🇸 Hamilton (United States, Earth Sciences, Cambridge)
🇨🇦 Helen (Canada, History, Cambridge)

Timestamps for North America Q&A:
00:00:01 - Introduction
00:00:05 - Introduction to event
00:00:13 - Introduction to InsideUni
00:01:08- Introduction to panel members
00:02:22 - What made you apply to Oxbridge?

00:07:26 - Introduction to Section 1: Pre-submitted and Live Questions
00:07:53 - What are the most notable cultural differences between England and home?
00:12:40 - Did you have an interview? If so was it in North America, online, or did you have to fly to England?
00:17:09 – What are the job prospects for North American students in the UK? How about working permits?
00:19:10 - In terms of grades and qualifications, how did you best accommodate to the Oxbridge requirements, and what tip would you give to a student applying soon?
00:24:20 - How did you research/choose the college you applied to? Did you apply to a specific college or did you submit an open application? What are the advantages or disadvantages in submitting an open application?
00:29:29 - What other North American schools did you apply to and what was the main reason you chose the UK over them?
00:32:38 - How common are job placements and internships in continental Europe, and how are job prospects for Oxbridge graduates in continental Europe?
00:34:27 - Since UCAS reference letters are different to US recommendations, what advice did you give your teachers on writing them? How important is a reference for an application?
00:43:20 - Entry requirements for the US are 5 APs at scores of 5. Do we have to meet these entry requirements at the time of applying or can these requirements be met after we potentially get an offer?
00:46:16- If you have taken American Math courses such as BC Calculus and MV Calculus and are looking to study engineering, do you know if there are any obvious gaps in Math knowledge?
00:48:08 - Do you have any particular advice for interviews (for natural sciences)?
00:49:05 - Should our personal statement focus more on our academics, or extracurriculars and personal reading?

00:54:07 - Introduction to Section 2: One piece of advice we wish we had gotten as a North American international student
00:54:40 - Interviews
00:56:50 - Impostor syndrome
00:57:07 - Other UK universities
00:58:02 - Who reads applications
00:59:58 - Conclusion