Read what Vicky Smith, a 4-year chemistry student of Oxford University, recalls about her entering the university and her present impressions and plans

My chemistry teacher encouraged me to apply to Oxford; he told me I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I didn’t give it a try. I never thought I’d get accepted and I had a genuine fear of rejection. There is a stigma attached to Oxford that suggests only public school applicants will gain admission. With this in mind, I was concerned that I’d have difficulty making friends and fitting in. I soon found out that my worries were unjustified. I made an open application and was called for an interview at St.Hilda’s. I just had one interview with tutors from my three subject areas followed by an encouraging meeting with the Principal. The questions were designed to make you think and respond – they certainly weren’t text-book style. I was impressed by the friendliness of the College and by Oxford as a city. St.Hilda’s is an all-women college, but classes and practical groups are mixed so I have made friends with people from other colleges and have a varied social life. I sat my finals last year and was awarded a First. When I finish my thesis this year, I hope to stay on at Oxford and study for a Dphil at Balliol.

What did Vicky feel about applying to Oxford University? What was she afraid of?

Why did she think she would have difficulty making friends and fitting in?

What does she mean by words “I made an open application”?

What were Vicky’s impressions of the interview before the admission?

What kind of college is St.Hilda’s?

What do the words “classes and practical groups are mixed” mean?

What does Vicky mean by “a varied social life”?

What is Vicky doing at present? What are her plans for the future?

Compare Vicky’s impressions of her four years at college with your impressions of your student years. Work in pairs and interview your partner to find out: what he/she remembers about entering the university; whether he/she had any fears, problems in the first year; what he/she appreciates about the university and what he/she dislikes; his/her plans for the future.

8. Oxford and Cambridge are famous as the pioneers of tutorial system. Discuss in pairs advantages and disadvantages of this system. Do you think this experience should be borrowed by Ukrainian higher educational institutions? Give your arguments.