Comment by geoffw8 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by geoffw8 | Hacker News Reader

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Can't answer all your questions, but as a brit thats been on the brink of applying, I know that all applications go through a system called Ucas (http://www.ucas.ac.uk/).

I'm not sure if what we call 'Oxbridge', the big 2 (Oxford & Cambridge) handle their own applications, but I'm pretty sure Ucas is the place you need to start.

I know it works (at least for UK students) on a points system, where you get points per course, and the amount is set by the grades you get.

Things are different if your a 'mature' student, and if you have 'life experience'. Best thing to do is get in touch, and write a very compelling 'personal statement'. The latter being the first step to application.

I'm sure theres a few guys here who can give you more (oxbridge) related advice.

I've gone through UCAS recently.

'UCAS Points' are only really counted for the lower-end of universities. Any university anywhere near Oxbridge in terms of reputation or entrance requirements gives offers based on A Level or International Baccalaureate or other qualifications, often followed by an interview.

For example my first and second choice universities offered AAA and AAB respectively.

Oxford goes through UCAS. You'll want to kill yourself when using it.

Only an absurdly low amount of characters (with spaces) are allowed for the personal essay, 1600, 2400, or something, so don't start preparing for a 36-page-long piece of circumspection.

It's really down-putting that there is so little focus on this part, as this is what allows applicants to stand out the most.

The personal essay is the part where applicants stand out the most? I sure don't hope so...I am tired of reading all these I-almost-cured-cancer-as-a-kid type essays that people in the US seem to submit for the undergraduate application. Give me a break, seriously.

The single most important part of the Oxbridge application process is the interview. That's where you get to sit down with two professors that take you through challenging math problems (in case of Computer Science) and you are supposed to take them through your thinking process. Now, _that_ is where you can stand out. That's more like it.

Sure - if you make it to the interview.

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