Our annual Tips for Oxbridge forum is a great opportunity for the Year 13s in our Aspire group to benefit from the wisdom and experience of RHSB alumnae at an Oxford or Cambridge college.

Taking place a week after our general Tips for Uni session for Year 13s, this forum is designed for those of our Sixth Form applying specifically to Oxford or Cambridge University and was jointly delivered by our experienced team of staff and former RHSB Oxbridge alumnae.

It was fantastic to have been joined by the following alumnae in person and online; all of whom were very helpful and generous in sharing their own thoughts and experiences of the specific nature of the Oxbridge application and interview process - which doesn't work the same way as applying to any other university.

• Lizzie Dunn (RHSB 2016), Oxford, French and Spanish – in person
• Coco Vercoe (RHSB 2018), Cambridge, Natural Sciences - online
  
• Tara Williams (RHSB 2021), Oxford, German – in person

Our alumnae very helpfully gave our Year 13 Aspire students an insight into their applications and interviews – including what they wished they had known while they were applying to Oxbridge and specifics of what worked well for them. They also shared what they felt makes Oxbridge different – but also what made them stand out as a successful Oxbridge applicant. While there is a clear emphasis on academic excellence, Oxbridge assessments go beyond grades and applicants are assessed on their ambition, ability to think independently and engage with new ideas.

It was also helpful finding about what our three different alumnae enjoyed most about their first years at Oxbridge and academically, how they think they developed as a learner whilst at University and what sort of skills they feel are needed to enable success within an Oxbridge course.

Huge thanks to our amazing alumnae for coming along online and in person and for being such a wonderful source of encouragement and advice to our Year 13 Aspire group.