How did you find the application process?
There is too much pressure surrounding the application process where candidates strive so hard for success that they lose the essence of their passion, which eventually leads them to fail their application. I mainly suggest trying your best for the entrance exams. Obtaining a good score alongside solid teacher recommendations already gives you good chances to get an interview. However, when it comes to the personal statement and the interview, this relies on a combination of academic ability (once again, not knowledge) and passion. Therefore, you must be clear regarding how much you are interested in this field academically, and how able you are to become a scholar of it.
What advice would you give any aspiring Oxbridge candidate?
I can’t stress this enough: get in touch with your university. Create a LinkedIn profile and try to connect to hundreds of people studying your course or a similar course. Ask them questions. Try to find an alumnus who may want to help you set up a mock interview. Ask for feedback on your personal statement. Once you’ve picked a college, check who the tutors are and what they research. If they’ve published concise work, take a look at it. Getting this “insider” information will allow you to get a much clearer understanding of how it all goes down.