Test taken: None
Number of interviews: 3
Time between interviews: A few hours
Length of interviews: About 45/60 mins
Online interview: No

I had two interviews at St Anne’s; one more Chemistry based and another more biology-based (likely because biochemistry is not taught as a subject at A-level). In my first (chemistry-based) interview, I was asked first to talk through a mechanism. At each stage, I explained my thoughts and occasionally asked for help or for a step to be explained. The tutors discussed each step with me and together we produced a complete mechanism. After this, we discussed my personal statement, and I was asked further questions where I could apply the knowledge of the respiratory electron transport chain demonstrated in my personal statement. Finally, we discussed pH and I did some simple calculations in my head (I would recommend being familiar with standard graphs like the pH curve and being able to use powers of 10 and units correctly). For my more biology-based interview, I first read an article on genetic engineering. This was an article aimed at the general public, and all of the language was straightforward and understandable. After meeting the tutors, they asked me to summarise the contents/key points of the article, which led to further questions. Through a collaborative discussion, we picked out how several of the scientific “facts” in the article were wrong/misconstrued information. After this, they gave me a picture of a DNA electrophoresis experiment and asked me to explain how this process works. My third interview was very similar to the second, however, focused more on proteins and amino acids. In each interview I was extremely nervous to start with, however, the atmosphere calmed me down and each one by the end just felt like a normal (if quite challenging and intense!) lesson. I left each one feeling a little drained, but mainly like I’d learnt something and had the chance to enjoy a 1:1 discussion about my favourite subject. Asking questions is absolutely encouraged, and shows you are able to engage with and think critically about the information you are presented with. After my interviews at St Anne’s, I had a quick chat with the tutors about other interests and general Oxford life, and they made me feel like I would fit in and enjoy life here.

I read up on a lot of the standard A-level content, ensuring I knew important equations (like pH calculations!) and essential bits of biochemistry that are covered in A-level. This included the AQA biological molecules module and some of the genetics and bioenergetics (photosynthesis and respiration) work we had done. Other than this, I had a short mock interview with my biology and chemistry teachers and they asked me to talk them through a couple of mechanisms, and things I’d spoken about in my personal statement. I did not focus on doing too much extra reading, mainly on the A-level content, however, I did find a couple of additional examples that I found interesting to add to the knowledge.

Make sure you know the A-level content! Have a look at the outline of the course you are applying to, make sure you have an idea of what it will entail, and try to find links with what you have already studied. However, don’t be afraid to mention to the tutor conducting the interview if you haven’t studied something yet, more often than not they will give you some extra information or ask you something different to ensure you have a fair chance to show off your knowledge. For most sciences, an understanding of maths will be helpful if not required to receive an offer, so it is worth making sure you understand how to rearrange equations and plot graphs (especially for things like pH in biochemistry). If you are given something to read, try to make sure by the end of the allotted time you can summarise the contents, and maybe come up with a couple of talking points/ questions to ask during your interview to show you have analysed the material. Mainly, try to relax, ask questions if you need, and enjoy the discussion!