Biology Interview - Wish I'd Known (Expert Oxford & Cambridge Application Advice)
It can be tempting to think that biology interviews require you to know all the facts. You might feel like you’ll be expected to spurt the DNA sequences of every model organism. It can also be tempting by trying to just revise the facts in the textbook. But this isn’t what admission tutors are looking for in an Oxbridge interview.
Ultimately the interviewers are looking for students who would thrive studying in the university system, and who can demonstrate:
Passion
If you do not absolutely love studying biology it is very hard to motivate yourself to spend hours in a lab and get yourself up for lectures (especially when they are on a Saturday!) Interviewers want to see that you genuinely care. The best way to show this passion is to demonstrate that you have interests outside of your curriculum. Try to have a look at some articles in New Scientist or Scientific American to give you a broader understanding of current research and the what’s going on in the field. As well as that, try to sound excited when they are asking questions; after all, you are talking about a subject you love.
Logic
Clear thought processes and logically processing information is essential in all aspects of biology. Interviewers may ask you to draw an evolutionary tree, a molecular mechanism or a genetic cross; in all these systems it is important to think through the processes step by step. Talking aloud is the most helpful thing for you to do: not only does this help you to process your own thoughts but ensures that the interviewers can also understand the steps you take. One of the best ways to practice this is drawing out a process you have learnt in A-level (such as the lac-operon or Calvin cycle in photosynthesis) then try to explain this step-by-step to someone else. Use this same step-by-step logic when answering questions in an interview.
Getting it wrong
You are not meant to know all the answers. You should get stuck. This is the point of an interview: to push you until you don’t know what to do. At this point your interviewers might ask some more questions to guide you in the right direction. Many questions can be answered in a range of ways though; there might not be one ‘right’ answer but instead multiple suggestions. They might for example ask you to suggest an experiment to prove something, this doesn’t mean that they expect you to know an experiment of the top of your head but rather that you understand the key principles of experimental design (such as controls.) If you do something wrong (which is inevitable) don’t take it personally either but listen to feedback and think of alternative strategies. People can say some very stupid things under pressure.
Last top tip: try to enjoy it! This might seem bizarre, but you get to talk to some of the best scientists in the world. Take the interview as a change to learn something new and appreciate how amazing biology really is.
Example Question
A question might be asking you to explain the changes in snail shell colours over times. It can be observed that colours oscillate over time: one year there are more yellow shells and the next more pinkish shells. Start by thinking about what pressures act upon the snails: could it be to do with predation maybe? Then think about how the predators might learn to associate a differnet colour with the snails: does this therefore change the selection pressure on the snails? Which snails are now more likely to be eaten?
Think it through logically; breaking down complex systems into components
This article was written by Rebekah (Cambridge - Natural Sciences).
If you find this content useful, please visit Rebekah's profile for further information on applying to Oxbridge. Alternatively, book support now with Rebekah, using the form below.
Author: Rebekah - Cambridge
BA Natural Sciences
Coming from an inner-city state-school background, I went through all the difficulties of applying to Oxbridge with limited guidance from my school. This has spurred a strong belief that people from all backgrounds should, and more importantly, can come to Oxbridge.
