Question 1

I am unsure if I will get an offer; is it still worth applying to Oxbridge?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely - students often surprise themselves, and so you never know for sure whether or not you will be successful. Also, the application process itself can prove beneficial for students, deepening their appreciation of the subject. Finally, studying at Oxbridge is such a wonderful opportunity, and so you don't want to live with the regret of not even trying!

If you're still unsure, click here to book a free consultation.

Question 2

When should I begin preparing for my Oxbridge application?

Accepted Answer

We recommend that students begin initial preparation as early as possible, as this allows you to progress at a calmer pace, and gives you more time to broaden your knowledge of the subject. Due to the importance of exam results, if it's more than a year before your application date, your focus should be on getting the best grades possible, with occasional (every month or so) tutorials to discuss readings. You can find further details about our exam tuition here.

We advise that students begin preparing in earnest in January of their application year, as this allows for sufficient time to cover comfortably all past papers, the personal statement, and mock interviews. You can book a consultation here to get started.

Question 3

Why should I choose Avalon Education to help with my Oxbridge application?

Accepted Answer

It's simple - we get the best results. 62% of our Oxbridge candidates receive an Oxbridge offer, compared to the 16% average, which means that our students are 3.9x more likely to get an Oxbridge offer than other candidates.

We get the best results because we work with the best tutors, all of whom are themselves Oxbridge-educated, and we work with students in a comprehensive manner through our 1st-Class Service, tutoring them over the course of a year or more, ensuring any weaknesses have been addressed by the time they make their application.

You can book a free consultation here to find out more.

Question 4

I'm not applying to Oxbridge; can I still get support from Avalon Education for my application?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. If you're not applying to Oxbridge, you may not need support with the admissions test and interview, but the personal statement remains an important part of your university application, and our tutors are experienced in helping students write statements that impress.

Furthermore, your A-Level/IB grades might be the single most significant aspect of any university application, and our expert tutors can ensure you get the best grades possible, which will be an invaluable asset no matter which university you're applying to. You can find out more about our A-Level/IB tuition here.

Question 5

Will my Oxbridge application be advantaged or disadvantaged due to my going to an independent or state school?

Accepted Answer

As a general rule, the Oxbridge tutors are seeking to admit the students of the greatest intellectual ability and potential.

That said, the university does take into account a variety of factors to inform the student's potential, and these include things like school background. As such, a student who is at a school that typically performs very poorly's grades will be looked upon more kindly than a student from a high-performing school's grades. This can mean that an independent school background may disadvantage your application when there is a finite number of places on the course.

Nevertheless, impressive students of every background are admitted every year. If you believe that it may be slightly more competitive for you because of the light in which your grades are viewed, that is all the more reason to work extra hard at the admissions test and in interview prep, so that you're undeniably a great candidate anyway.

Book a consultation here to find out how our tutors can help you succeed, no matter your background.

Question 6

Do I need additional support if my school said that they will help me with my application?

Accepted Answer

It's up to you. Most schools will review your personal statement, and will also likely arrange for a mock interview from one of your teachers.

However, schools have huge numbers of personal statements to get through, and so don't have the bandwidth to spend hours perfecting each one.

On the interview front, a mock interview with a teacher can be helpful, and you should take the opportunity if it's presented, but the teacher is unlikely to have recent, direct experience of Oxbridge interviews (did they recently finish studying at Oxbridge?). As such, they will struggle to replicate closely the experience of Oxbridge interviews, and so it can only be of limited benefit. On the other hand, a mock interview course of several mock interviews, each with a different Oxbridge tutor with direct experience of your course, means that by the real thing you will have experience with a range of questions and interview styles, as well as having received useful feedback on past performances, giving you the confidence you need on the day.

With regard to the admissions test, this is something your school is very unlikely to prepare you for, in part due to the amount of time needed for adequate preparation. There may be 20+ past papers available, and the best-prepared candidates will have gone through every one, marked them, and met with a tutor to discuss their errors - this is something that makes a crucial difference, and is something that most schools simply cannot offer.

In sum, while your school will try to help, even the best schools won't be able to offer all of the support you need, particularly for the admissions test and interview. That's where we come in. To find out more, book a free consultation here.

Question 7

What makes Avalon Education's tutors unique?

Accepted Answer

We hire very selectively, and pay well to attract the best talent. Furthermore, our entire tutoring team studied at the best universities in the world, and so we are able to offer insights on the application process that can't be gained anywhere else.

To find out how our tutors can help you, book a free consultation here.

Question 8

What happens in a free consultation with Avalon Education?

Accepted Answer

In your free Zoom consultation, our Director can answer your questions and determine whether you are a good fit for Avalon Education. Through meeting both the parent/guardian and the student, our Director will learn more about your goals, gain a vivid picture of what type of support will be most beneficial to you, and begin to create a plan to help you realise your ambitions, including identifying which tutor would work best with you.

If both parties are happy, following the consultation, you will have the opportunity to progress to a trial session, which costs just £5 and lasts for one hour, where you will meet your tutor, discuss the plan for the year, and begin working towards your goals.

Question 9

How do I get into Oxford or Cambridge University?

Accepted Answer

Gaining an offer from Oxford or Cambridge for undergraduate study is a competitive, multi-step process.

First, you will need to choose a course, university, and college. Then, you will need to write your personal statement for this course, and submit it on the UCAS portal at 1800 UK time on 15th October. The next step will be to sit the admissions test for your course, if there is one. This tends to happen in mid-October as well.

Finally, if you have submitted a strong application, you will be invited to interview. Interviews take place online, typically in early to mid-December. In January, you will find out whether you have received an offer.

Question 10

What are the acceptance rates for undergraduate applications to Oxford and Cambridge?

Accepted Answer

The undergraduate acceptance rate for Oxford in 2024 was 14.1%.  The undergraduate acceptance rate for Cambridge in 2024 was 17.2%.  Given that students cannot apply to both, and can only apply to five universities in total, this shows just how competitive these universities are.

Our students have a 62% Oxbridge success rate, meaning that working with Avalon Education makes students almost 4 times more likely to receive an Oxbridge offer.

Question 11

Which countries do you operate in?

Accepted Answer

Most of our tuition is carried out virtually, and we have worked with students in 20+ countries. We have also worked with students in-person, in the UK, Middle East, and Hong Kong.

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