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The University of Cambridge has produced two new films to provide accessible guidance about what Cambridge interviews are really like to potential applicants and their advisers.
Four successful applicants were asked to put themselves through another interview in order to create the latest in the University’s series of outreach films demystifying Cambridge admissions, teaching and student life. Cameras are not allowed in to the December interviews, because the University believes this would create unnecessary stress for the applicant, however three of the student participants are unconditional offer holders – students who have taken their A Levels already, but have not yet started at Cambridge, bringing them as close as possible to the level of academic knowledge of a typical interviewee.
The student volunteers were interviewed by academics whom they had not met before, and the interviewers reviewed the real application forms submitted by the candidates, just as they would in preparation for an admissions interview.
Angharad Devereux came back to re-live her HSPS interview. She felt that the experience was very similar to her admissions interview.
“I did feel a similar apprehension before going to the interview as I had no indication as to what the questions would be. My experience of interviews at Cambridge was that they are closer to an academic discussion rather than a question and answer session which was realistically depicted in the filming.” Dr Sam Lucy was one of Angharad’s interviewers in the film. “The HSPS interview was very real, and an extremely accurate depiction of what those interviews are like,” she said. “I largely forgot we were being filmed.”
“I hope that these films make very clear that we are not looking for a perfect performance, but a thoughtful academic response to technical subject-related questions,” said Dr Mike Sewell, Director of Admissions for the Cambridge Colleges, and Angharad’s second interviewer in the film. “The fact that stumbles occurred and that the discussion moves forward through the help given by interviewers reflects exactly what happens in interviews. This isn't failure; it is an indication of a student who is willing and capable to learn and to persevere in discussion when it isn't easy. That, in turn, is a key quality in an undergraduate.”
Dr Maria Cairney, an English teacher at Loreto College, Manchester, agrees that these will be very useful tools for students. Commenting on the value of the films, she said “Applicants are already offered a great deal of helpful general information about the nature of interviews and how they should prepare, but I feel that nothing is quite as powerful as watching a student – someone just like them – going through the interview process.”
The two new films are available on the University's YouTube channel and on the Undergraduate Study website:
The Interview
Four successful applicants were asked to put themselves through another interview in order to create the latest in the University’s series of outreach films demystifying Cambridge admissions, teaching and student life. Cameras are not allowed in to the December interviews, because the University believes this would create unnecessary stress for the applicant, however three of the student participants are unconditional offer holders – students who have taken their A Levels already, but have not yet started at Cambridge, bringing them as close as possible to the level of academic knowledge of a typical interviewee.
The student volunteers were interviewed by academics whom they had not met before, and the interviewers reviewed the real application forms submitted by the candidates, just as they would in preparation for an admissions interview.
Angharad Devereux came back to re-live her HSPS interview. She felt that the experience was very similar to her admissions interview.
“I did feel a similar apprehension before going to the interview as I had no indication as to what the questions would be. My experience of interviews at Cambridge was that they are closer to an academic discussion rather than a question and answer session which was realistically depicted in the filming.” Dr Sam Lucy was one of Angharad’s interviewers in the film. “The HSPS interview was very real, and an extremely accurate depiction of what those interviews are like,” she said. “I largely forgot we were being filmed.”
“I hope that these films make very clear that we are not looking for a perfect performance, but a thoughtful academic response to technical subject-related questions,” said Dr Mike Sewell, Director of Admissions for the Cambridge Colleges, and Angharad’s second interviewer in the film. “The fact that stumbles occurred and that the discussion moves forward through the help given by interviewers reflects exactly what happens in interviews. This isn't failure; it is an indication of a student who is willing and capable to learn and to persevere in discussion when it isn't easy. That, in turn, is a key quality in an undergraduate.”
Dr Maria Cairney, an English teacher at Loreto College, Manchester, agrees that these will be very useful tools for students. Commenting on the value of the films, she said “Applicants are already offered a great deal of helpful general information about the nature of interviews and how they should prepare, but I feel that nothing is quite as powerful as watching a student – someone just like them – going through the interview process.”
The two new films are available on the University's YouTube channel and on the Undergraduate Study website:
The Interview
Four successful interviewees return to share their experiences of four different subject-based interviews. Experienced Admissions Tutors and interviewers provide commentary and an explanation of some of the interview clips shown in the film.
This three minute film features contributions from Admissions Tutors, Admissions Officers, current students and other staff from across the collegiate University who share their top tips with prospective applicants in order to ensure that they prepare effectively for interview at Cambridge.
The videos can be embedded onto your own school/college webpages, shown at meetings or events for prospective university applicants or in class, or simply sent to prospective applicants who you might like to encourage to watch them.
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