The class divide in Oxbridge interviews

Bernie Evans (Letters, 11 December) suggests that an Oxbridge candidate from a school in a deprived area with A-level scores of B may be more talented than a privileged candidate with scores of A. But is such a general observation likely to prove helpful in making decisions about specific candidates? An Oxford don who actually had responsibility for admissions told me how she worked. Candidates from elite schools are well prepared for interview. They know how Oxbridge works. The task of the interviewer is to determine how much genuine ability lies behind the expertly prepared facade. Candidates from state schools are less well prepared. They may not have a teacher with an Oxbridge background. They may not cope well with Oxbridge interrogation. But the task of the interviewer is to determine how much talent lies hidden behind this inexpertly prepared front. I was left in no doubt about the determination with which my informant took this complex task.

It’s a thankless task too. We tolerate a system of education that delivers privilege to those who can afford it. It is a system designed to generate injustice. Then we expect our universities to put it right.
David Butler
London

• Bernie Evans’ letter reminded me of my interview at Jesus College in 1965. Though no humiliation was intended – I assume – or achieved, I was floored when asked what I thought of serialism. That’s what it sounded like to me, and I’d never heard of it: I was applying for English, not music. It was only when the tutor went on to say, “Oh, surely you’ve heard of serialism, Salvador Dalí and so on”, that the penny dropped. Coming from Liverpool, I was quite unprepared for that sort of slovenly speech.

It’s not just what they might be asked that can be off-putting for state-school students; even these days, the clash of class and accent can be involved.
Mike Rogers
Liverpool

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