Page 34 - The Moretonian 2025

Academic Excellence
Oxbridge: But Why?

It is no surprise that, faced with the daunting challenge of putting together
an application and the relatively small chance of success, many students

balk at the thought of applying to Oxford or Cambridge.

Personal statements must be fine-tuned for October, when so much else is
going on; entrance tests are phenomenally hard; interviewers care not a jot
about putting candidates at ease; and all this for the likelihood of receiving
a terse ‘No, thank you’?

It does beg the question, ‘Why?’. But if there’s years’ hard work and dedication, and we are very
one overarching lesson I have learnt from my proud of and pleased for her indeed.
relatively short time as Oxbridge mentor, it’s
that what students gain from the process of Let’s end with Holly’s words:
applying – intellectual plasticity, critical thinking
skills and resilience – is more important than “I’m so delighted to have received an offer from
whether the application is successful or not. Oxford. It is something I have always dreamed
of but often not let myself hope for, so this is a
Moreton remains very successful in helping really surreal moment! My journey to this point
students prepare for application, bucking the has not been exactly straightforward, and there
downward trend in independent schools and have definitely been challenges, but I am so
beating the general odds for offers. This year, we grateful for the way Moreton has supported me
were thrilled for Holly who was offered a place at along the way. From Mrs Peel letting me sit in
St Anne’s, Oxford, to read Medicine. on Jenner talks in the lower years of the school
and for tirelessly working to inspire a passion for
Holly has been at Moreton since she was very medical sciences and eco team in her students,
little indeed. She headed the school’s Jenner to Mr Reynolds’ entertaining discussions about
Society, the medical-scientific lecture series, and ethical dilemmas in Oxbridge preparation group
led the Eco Team. Her place is the result of many last year, to Mrs Lang and Mrs Ashworth always

34 The Moretonian 2025