Student review [#28613] for Chemistry
at University of Oxford

Two young people I know (but unconnected with each other) who had offers from Cambridge both turned their offers down. In both cases they had decided that they preferred the structure and content of the course (Maths in one case, Psychology in the other) on offer at Surrey, one of the UK’s newer universities. Both have gone on to do doctorates, and have done well, and neither regrets their choice.

I think a certain amount of “it’s ancient so it must be the best” snobbery attaches itself to Oxford and Cambridge — either that or “it’s quite new so it must be rubbish.” In 1970, my best friend and I were very attracted by the new university of Warwick. Our elderly English teacher pulled herself up to her full 4′ 11″ and remarked, “Well, if you wish to apply to a jumped up polytechnic, that is no-one’s concern but your own. However, you will not cite me for a reference!”

It is statistically harder to get into Warwick to do English than Oxford.

As the world has become quite keen on attending Oxbridge should the opportunity present, I’ll add another obvious complication.

Way back in the 70s I was recommended as a part-time prodigy at Cavendish lab by UK scientists at MIT. These early relationships carry weight. I was on the radar of the schools and I was also progressing in rowing.

Culturally I was more British west Indian than standard Yank which made me interesting to UK peers but less so with most faculty who preferred proper Philips Andover/Exeter WASPS. I was a mere mixed-race Exeter visitor on a scholarship with power recommendations.

For me to row for either University (Trinity College Cambridge was most encouraging of this while Oxford constituent colleges weren’t high on me until Harvard admitted that I was considering their medical school. Lol. I didn’t need another undergraduate degree but my future goals included diplomacy…) would have done a lot for academic international relations and this I was told often in the US Congress and in the beltway.

I was weary though of the constant belittling by aristocratic Brits which was ostensibly based on my nationality but had a nasty condescending undertone of racism. Other Yanks being considered for either school with less fanfare than I were treated much better except at our rowing events (I’d become a team assistant and a recruit to Oxford.)

I don’t think there would be many of my generation (Oxford BA 1972, Cambridge PhD 1978) because we didn’t have to pay much, if anything, for the privilege. I consider myself incredibly fortunate.

It might be different in more recent times if students didn’t feel they were getting value for money. But I seriously doubt there would be many even so.