Nota Bene
December 18, 2006
In and Out
December 15, 2006
It’s been a long time. Well, not quite so. Maybe I just felt that it’s been awhile. Well, I don’t know.
So how did the Oxford interviews go? To be honest, it’s hard to judge whether you’re doing well or otherwise. I had three interviews overall; two from my first choice New College and another from St. Catherine College. I was quite surprised because the interviews weren’t what I expected. I had imagined earlier that I would be sitting in the center of a room with a panel of interviewers with their menacing looks and armed with deadly questions. However, they turned out to be not true. Instead, the first two interviews I had were rather comfy as I was sitting on a sofa rather than an office chair or something and for once, I didn’t feel like I was having an interview at all. It felt pretty much like a one-on-one discussion class and the interviewers were actually nice and friendly.
I was pretty much worried with my personal statement because I thought the interviewers were going to slam me shut with the specifications I put in. So I spent a few hours reading the book I mentioned in my PS over and over again just to make sure the contents got stuck inside my head. But all the interviews turned out to be Maths-Physics questions which I didn’t revise it earlier. Yet, I managed to struggle through the answers with the help of the hints given by the interviewers. I don’t think I performed well enough, though. Oh well, the results will be out soon. I heard it is from today where the admission tutors will call and inform the applicants whether they are successful or otherwise. Good luck guys.
Nothing To Lose
December 3, 2006
Lots have been happening since my last post. First of all, Second House Cup; we got knocked out of the semi-final with a shameful defeat. Pfft. We couldn’t have done any better anyway. We were no match against the team we played with. Not even a single chance. Pfft. However, I’m pleased that we got disqualified because this spares me time to focus during the last few days of school.
Somehow Leicester University appeals to me even before I went to the place itself. The first thing I noticed just as I got off the train and went out of the station was the musical instruments shops. It was literally next to the station and I just couldn’t resist to go in. It only took me 10-15 minutes to get to the university compounds by foot from the train station. As soon as I arrived for the registration, I was then given a tour around the campus and wow, I loved it. After attending an introduction lecture, I went for a tour to one of the catered accommodation halls. I was looking forward for the self-catered halls though but it was great, nonetheless. Then, after having lunch in the Physics department building, I attended another lecture about the subject. Wow, the university has close links with NASA and ESA. What appeals to me the most is the involvement of the undergraduates riding the “Zero-G” flight in France. That is just so cool and I’ve always wanted to experience that. The university is also involved in the developments of space research and technology. Now that’s my type. Well, kind of. Woohoo! I love this place! This is going to be my insurance choice, for sure.
Anyways, I’ve finally received a letter from Oxford Colleges regarding the interview. As I mentioned it before, I got the interview invitation from my first choice college; New College. That is such a relief knowing how awful I did during the entrance examination, which I almost gave up hope. Now that I’m back on track and I’m charged! Not trying to look overconfident though. I’m just giving a shot for this one because I know it’s not going to be the end of the world even if I eventually got rejected - Manchester and Leicester Universities have my back. I realise that there’s nothing to lose and that it’s worth trying.
