Ellie Whelan
So, you had your sights set on the dreaming spires. You tackled the personal statement, exams and interview only to fall short of an acceptance letter. The red cross of rejection on the UCAS track made your heart fall down a miniature cliff before the waves of disappointment and sorrow came rushing in. I’ve been there. It’s not fun. However, the rejection isn’t important, it’s what you do after receiving the dreaded email that really counts.
My mind was set on reapplication after A Level results day after receiving my dream grades. However, some people are adamant about reapplying from January onwards. Whether you’re deciding last minute or have had a concrete plan for a while, this is the rundown of how to reapply to Oxford University successfully.
Align your university priorities
Be honest. Did you want to go to Oxford for the course or because it’s Oxford? It’s normal to get caught up in the whirlwind of prestige and league tables and forget what you really want to get out of university. If prestige is the main factor for you, perhaps you’re not suited for Oxford. Unless the course and teaching style excites you, you aren’t going to enjoy the university experience. But, if Oxford is more than a LinkedIn boost, perhaps reapplication is for you.
Don’t Take A Year Out to Reapply
A gap year principally geared towards reapplication is quite frankly a recipe for disaster. Reapplication should form part of a gap year, not consume it. It is vital that your gap year’s success does not depend upon reapplication. The aim is to look back at the gap year and be glad you took it, whether you got into Oxford or not. This doesn’t mean transforming into an elephant-trouser-wearing, ‘gap yah’ hippie (even if I am guilty of the trousers). Instead, use the year for self-growth. Work, save money, pick up a hobby, travel: spend a year developing yourself outside of academia.
Study, Improve and Reflect
Realistically, you’re not going to produce a successful application unless you make improvements. Unless you significantly improve at the admissions tests or at interviews, the outcome will not change. Reflect and pinpoint what weak points jeopardise your success. Was it that you couldn’t think on your feet or hadn’t read enough to prove your passion? If you received feedback from your previous application, use the tutors’ criticism to motivate self-improvement. Read more, study more and develop such competence and passion that Oxford will find it impossible to say no to.
So, should you reapply? Although I can only advise not dictate, I cannot recommend a gap year enough. Spending time developing my passion for my subjects and hobbies and committing myself to a full-time job has matured me and made me more prepared for university. Unless there is another university that you would be just as happy at, give reapplication serious consideration. Nobody regrets a gap year.
Featured image courtesy of Lifetracks via Flickr. Image license found here. No edits were made to this image.
