How I Failed My Oxford Interview

As soon as the words left my mouth I knew I’d_______. “You think Jane Austen is... soft?” The man opposite me asked in disbelief. Then, he and his colleague took turns to_______my claim, finishing each other’s sentences as they stressed Austen’s novels were, in fact, savage.

“I just mean...” I said in a_______voice, trying to keep the tone light, “that she’s not as biting as Virginia Woolf.”

The two professors patted this idea around, too, like a couple of cats toying with a frightened bird---giving _______ examples of how Austen’s work was, _________, more biting than Woolf’s. With no more defensive action to take, I simply smiled and said, “Let’s just agree to disagree, shall we?” And at that moment, my dreams of going to Oxford university_______in a puff of smoke.

Part of my problem, in hindsight was a lack of confidence._______I was a straight A student and had prepared for the interview to the best of my ability, I wasn’t a skilled debater. When faced with two experts who told me that I was wrong, instead of defending myself, I rolled over and accepted_______.

To pass the interview, you need confidence, of course. You also need   a_______ passion for your subject, not just a keen interest. In other words, don’t put comments on your personal statement that you don’t have________for your in-person backup.

So, months later, I already knew the contents of my thin envelope when it appeared on my doormat. ________, I felt a pang of disappointment. I had wanted to go to Oxford since I was 13. I used to look up images of my favorite college with the same________of a bride-to-be browsing wedding dresses.

Ultimately, I didn’t have what it took---but, looking back, that was________a bad thing. Instead of going to Oxford, I found a university that was a better fit for my interests. I loved my eclectic course, where I could write an essay comparing Jane Eyre to 50 Shades of Grey.

Failing my Oxford interview also provided a valuable life lesson. I’m now more confident in my opinions, more passionate when it comes to debate, and I try to back up my points with________evidence. What’s more, I had never since ended a discussion by giving a ____________smile and saying,” let’s just agree to disagree, shall we?”