COLLEGE READINESS: ALIGNING ACADEMIC RIGOUR BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITY Dr George Hoare Academic Director Oxford Summer Courses
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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?
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