COLLEGE READINESS: ALIGNING ACADEMIC RIGOUR BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOLS AND

UNIVERSITY Dr George Hoare

Academic Director Oxford Summer Courses

MY PERSPECTIVE

➤ Academic Director at Oxford Summer Courses

➤ Previously taught political theory at Hertford College Oxford

➤ Interviewed students for admission to University of Oxford

➤ Author of two books on Italian political philosopher Antonio Gramsci

MY PERSPECTIVE: OXFORD INTERVIEWS

➤ In this talk I will draw on my experience, including interviewing candidates for Philosophy, Politics and Economics entry to Oxford

➤ Much of what I say is most applicable to UK and US universities

➤ Oxford interview process designed to select the most academically rigorous students

➤ But what is "academic rigour" and how can high school students develop it?

MY TALK TODAY

➤ Students need to show academic rigour to admissions tutors

➤ Students need to be academically rigorous to succeed at university

➤ We can identify five key elements of academic rigour. I'll go through these in turn, bring it back to admissions, and then we'll have 5-7 minutes of questions

FIVE WAYS TO DEVELOP

ACADEMIC RIGOUR

1. STUDY SKILLS

WHAT STUDY SKILLS DO I NEED?

➤ Note taking in lectures

➤ Referencing

➤ Avoiding plagiarism

➤ How to read...

2. INDEPENDENT STUDY

INDEPENDENT STUDY

➤ Much more independent study at university

➤ Requires self-discipline

➤ Must have good time management

➤ Also requires self-confidence

➤ Can be immensely rewarding

3. ARGUMENTS NOT DESCRIPTIONS

“In this essay I will argue that X because of Y...

- Student A

“Since time immemorial mankind has wondered about X and Y and Z...

- Student B

4. HANDLING THE TRANSITION

HANDLING THE TRANSITION

➤ Some students used to being top of the class at school can find the new environment hard

➤ You receive far less feedback, so it takes less to shake your confidence

➤ You have to be humble and accept you know little about your chosen subject

➤ Also, ask for help when things are tough

5. GRADES AND WIDE READING

GRADES, GRADES, GRADES

➤ Grades are key: although imperfect they are the best indicator of a student's ability

➤ However, wide reading around a subject is crucial, as is being open to new ideas

➤ Above all, reading is the best way to develop a passion for your subject

HOW CAN YOU SHOW ACADEMIC

RIGOUR?Bringing it back to

admissions

SHOWING ACADEMIC RIGOUR TO ADMISSIONS TUTORS

➤ Most important: wide reading

➤ Extra-curricular academic activities

➤ Music, sport, and non-academic achievements less important

➤ Practical tip: find first year undergraduate reading lists or preparatory reading lists and explore some titles

RECAP

➤ New study skills required

➤ University studying is much more independent

➤ University essays need to make an argument not describe a subject (particularly in UK)

➤ The transition to university learning can be daunting

➤ Oxford students have good grades, but we also looked for wide reading and a passion for the subject

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Any questions?