Being an Orielensis gives you the sense of being very much a part of the traditional Oxford life.
What made you decide to study at Oxford?
Oxford always had a great deal of prestige back home and I had always wanted to study here. When my MA supervisor encouraged me to apply despite the low odds of my being accepted I decided it was worth trying.
How did you find the application process, and do you have any advice for others preparing to apply?
The application process can be a bit long and confusing, particularly if you are not from the UK, however I found a number of social media pages and forums from other students and applicants that were very helpful, college staff were also extremely helpful when I reached out to them, they were even willing to speak to me over video to help me sort things out.
Did you specify a college on your application?
I did not really know anything about the collegiate system at Oxford before applying, and even less about how it would impact my life here.
What do you think the benefits of the collegiate system are for postgraduate students?
The collegiate system is a great way to meet people outside of your faculty and program and to feel as though you have a community of peers outside of your academic work.
“The Oriel MCR is an extremely lively community and there are so many social events”
What do you enjoy about being a member of Oriel’s MCR community?
The Oriel MCR is an extremely lively community and there are so many social events scheduled that it makes it very easy to be sure that you will have a social life at Oxford while still being able to focus on your studies.
What do you like the most about being an Orielensis?
Oriel is a very traditional college with a great location and a vibrant MCR community, being an Orielensis gives you the sense of being very much a part of the traditional Oxford life, from formal meals with friends to the MCR events one feels very connected to the traditions and community at Oxford.