What is the Oxbridge Mentoring Scheme Elements

****JavaScript based drop down DHTML menu generated by NavStudio. (OpenCube Inc. - http://www.opencube.com)****

The Oxbridge Mentoring Scheme is made up of the following 10 elements:

At pre-application stage (January – September):

OMS elements offered at the pre-application stage are geared towards answering such questions. Potential Oxbridge applicants are helped to make informed decisions as to which university and college might suit their academic, social and recreational needs best.

1. Presentation: Interactive presentation by OMS Advisors to potential applicants to dispel the myths associated with the two universities and introduce the Oxbridge Mentoring Scheme.

2. Preliminary (get-to-know-you) Interview: At this first meeting, the Advisor will ask the student questions about their studies and extra-curricular activities with a view to drawing up a profile to help with course and college recommendation – see below. (Feedback on student performance is provided to teachers/parents).

3. Course and College Recommendation (CCR): The Advisor will identify three courses and colleges for further research by the student and draw up a checklist of actions to be undertaken by the Pre-Summer Vacation Mentoring Session – see below. An interview feedback booklet for completion by the student to aid research will accompany the CCR and checklist and will be sent to the student by email.

4. Pre-summer Vacation Mentoring Session: At this second meeting, the Advisor will ask for student feedback on actions that have been completed from their checklist and the decisions they have made from researching courses and colleges. The Advisor and student will agree a summer vacation checklist of activities for completion as part of their continued Oxbridge preparation. (Feedback on student performance is provided to teachers/parents)

5. Four tutorials, focusing on subject-related reading & entrance test practice: OMS tutors undertake one-to-one tuition with students to expand their subject knowledge and practise past paper questions from i.e. the History Aptitude Test (HAT) [Oxford only], Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT), the Law National Admissions Test (LNAT) [common to both universities], the Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) [Cambridge only].

At application stage (September - October):

The OMS elements offered at this stage help students to explore their knowledge, feelings and motivations in relation to the course, college and extra-curricular activities they have chosen.

6. Mentoring Session and Brainstorm on UCAS Personal Statement: At this third meeting, the Advisor will ask the student for feedback on their summer vacation Oxbridge preparation. The Advisor will then turn to prompting the student for answers to questions that will form the basis of their UCAS statement. (Feedback on student performance is provided to teachers/parents). [Note; This element could be undertaken prior to September, subject to the student identifying their chosen Oxbridge course].

7. Critical Review of UCAS Personal Statement (including subsequent reviews): The OMS Advisor/Tutor will critically review the first draft of the student’s UCAS personal statement and suggest additional content. The second review of the subsequent draft statement will focus on style. The third review of the draft statement will focus on refinement and final touches.

At Pre-interview stage (October - November):

We address such questions asked by many students, advise use of interview techniques, identify areas to improve student self-presentation and allow students to practise speaking aloud their answers to academic questions - all with a view to boosting self-confidence.

8. Oxbridge-style (academic) mock interview: Students will undertake an academic mock interview with an interview panel at the Inns of Court in central London. This is followed by a written debrief (sent to teachers/parents), designed to show how candidates can further improve their performance.

9. Interview Debrief / Preparation Session: At this fourth meeting, the Advisor will provide a verbal debrief of the student’s performance at their mock interview. The Advisor will then run an interview preparation session that will comprise interview scenarios asking for student feedback on what they would do, a brainstorm on what to expect at Oxbridge interviews, and further interview practise.

10. Advisor and E-mentor on-line support through to the day of interview: Students benefit from on-line support from their Advisor from the pre-application phase of the scheme. Insight Education will then allocate each student an E-mentor who will help answer interview related questions through to the day of interview.

Printable View