Success stories from our 2019 Access Programme
We caught up with a couple of students who came to our Access Programme in 2019. They share their experiences of attending OxFizz events.
Mano with Nicole, who has been offered a place to study Experimental Psychology at St. Hilda’s College
Anonymous student
I was most concerned about the interview stage and the admissions test because I don’t have any relatives who have gone through the process themselves. I was really concerned that the admissions test would be incredibly hard and I didn’t know how to approach it or prepare for it. I had also heard horror stories that the interview would be really grilling or hard. I didn’t know what to expect, but the mock interview helped me realise the interviewer would guide me through scenarios.
It was also invaluable being able to talk to the students who had been through the process and could recommend reading and next steps. The OxFizz programme really gave me confidence to get through and apply. It alleviated any stress and made me realise I was worthy of applying.
“An encouraging, motivational process to help your application to Oxford.”
Nicole Tang - Psychology at St Hilda’s College
My biggest worry was that I didn’t know what subject I wanted to do. The first session really helped me to figure out what I did and didn’t want to do. For example, I remember being in a session for Land Economy and deciding I definitely didn’t want to do it. I also went to an HSPS and Psychology workshop, and by the end of the session I had worked out what I wanted to do. I was less anxious about the admissions test and interview because I had more time to prepare and some support from OxFizz.
At the admissions test workshop, it was really useful going through the TSA (Thinking Skills Assessment) with other students and talking about it with them. Hearing about the process gave me a different insight to what I could read online. Each workshop helped me realise that I had a chance of getting in. Before I did the programme going to Oxford felt like a distant dream, but each OxFizz event made it feel more and more like a reality.
“An incredibly significant learning experience, which I wouldn’t have been able to get anywhere else.”