Test taken: MLAT

Number of interviews: 2

Skype interview: No

Time between each interview: a few hours

Length of interviews: about 30 minutes each

French: I was given 30 minutes of prep time on an English poem beforehand. I then went into the interview and was asked questions on it (eg about the theme, meaning, and progression ). We then moved into French novels I had read and what I thought of them. I was asked a few more literature-y questions and then we had a conversation in French about how often I had visited France (read: not much!). The atmosphere was really chilled actually. I had 2 interviewers who were both really friendly and we had a bit of a laugh together. I left the interview feeling quite uplifted and happy.

Linguistics: I was also given 30 minutes of prep time on an article about the hardest language in the world to learn, and told to select something in the article that interested me. I also had 2 interviewers here, but the atmosphere was a bit more tense. I was asked what linguistics was, why I was interested in it, and the difference between language and linguistics. Then we moved onto the brain, and how language is learnt differently depending on age, etc. I then spoke about the article I'd prepped for a bit, and this led into a discussion on French punctuation (which was a hot topic in the news at the time!). The other interviewer then took over to ask about some language data, and I got a question wrong. The atmosphere in the room seemed to freeze as I struggled to answer the question: eventually the interviewer suggested we move on. I felt like I'd ruined my interview by the end of it, but I guess not!

Do practice papers, and lots of them! I used the AQA French Grammar books to refine my grammar for French, and the UK Linguistics Olympiad materials to practise the Linguistics section.

I spoke to many people for advice, including my teachers, who did mock interviews with me. Honestly, practise speaking about your subject, it'll make it seem more natural in a real interview! I think practice makes perfect, the more you prep, the better prepared you'll feel. But space this out over a longer period of time; don't do it as soon as you arrive for interview! Reread your personal statement and submitted work, as you may be asked about it. I think my preparation was hugely beneficial and I doubt I would have gotten in without it!

I think taking the process step by step is the most important thing, and it is also important to plan ahead. Do enough to fill your CV and personal statement, and then do the written work, and then the admissions test, and the interview. Compartmentalise them.

It's important to look after yourself during the application process or you'll burn out! Don't compare yourself to anyone else applying, or be competitive, but take the chance to learn from them.

Oxford was a lot friendlier than I anticipated. The interviewers were not evil, but actually fairly friendly. They want you to do well! Don't be afraid to speak your mind - they will not do any judgements of character or trick questions! I honestly wouldn't do anything differently, except to take better care of myself and my mental health, as the whole process is exhausting. The interviewers are looking for confidence and passion in your subject, and please just take your time to think about your replies instead of word-vomiting them!