Access Issues
Around the country thousands of students are receiving letters informing them that they're to be interviewed in Oxford in December. There will also be thousands of equally talented youngsters who won't receive the same letter and this is a loss to each and every member of our University.
The OxStu hopes that places at Oxford are allocated solely based on the ability of the applicants, however there is no way we can guarantee that the best students are applying. Some are put off by the myths associated with Oxbridge, others don't receive sufficient encouragement from those around them and many are told that they're not good enough.
All of these reasons and more mean that the excellent work that the various admissions schemes in Oxford must continue at a great pace in order to ensure that every able student is given a fair chance at getting into one of the worlds finest academic institutions.
It is also crucial to remember that this is a team effort and that every single Oxford student has a role to play by going back home and encouraging people to apply if they have the ability. Go along to your local 6th form and tell the students your experience, show them that they too can do what you do. Be proud of your University and remember that because of the national media the spotlight is on us to get this right.
It is true that Oxford does far more access work than the majority of British universities but this is no bad thing and may even encourage other institutions to follow suit.
Just please try and remember how good it felt when you got your letter of acceptance the next time someone asks you to volunteer on an open day or go on a school visit. Either we keep up the good fight or they might end up at Cambridge.
The Editorial Staff of The Oxford Student would like to offer their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Emily Higson. Our thoughts are with you at this dreadful time and the whole of Oxford is saddened by this tragic event.
13th Nov 2003