Why medals are not enough: A full scholarship for mathematics at the University of Oxford

A volunteer camp in France gave Sara her goal. Meeting people from every corner of the globe made her want to be a "world citizen," with an education that knew no borders.

She already held a Bronze Medal from the European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO). She aimed for the top and won a full scholarship to study Mathematics at the University of Oxford.

Student Snapshot

• Target: Mathematics
• Spike: Bronze Medal, European Girls' Mathematical Olympiad 2021
• Outcome: Full scholarship, University of Oxford

Equedu: Did your EGMO medal guarantee your place?

Sara: Not at all. And this is a misconception many students have.

I won medals at state competitions and the Bronze at the EGMO 2021, but I believe that competitions are not the key to university admissions. At Oxford specifically, they value your way of thinking during the test and the interview above all else. They want to see your raw curiosity and how you approach a problem you haven't seen before, rather than just looking at a trophy shelf.

"At Oxford specifically, they value your way of thinking... They want to see your raw curiosity... rather than just looking at a trophy shelf."

Equedu: How did you feel after the interview?

Sara: I felt extraordinary. I walked out of the interview knowing I had given my absolute maximum. I told myself, "If they don't accept me now, it’s not my fault." But the waiting period was emotional. It was a day anticipated by my whole friend group. I was overwhelmingly happy when I received my offer.

Equedu: Funding is a separate decision. How did you take the full scholarship news?

Sara: That was the real hurdle. I knew that the financial aid decision didn't depend on me anymore, but on their internal criteria. I would have been devastated to earn a spot but be unable to go due to money. When the email arrived saying that the "noble people at Oxford" (as I like to call them) decided to award me one of the very few full scholarships, I was ecstatic. It was the final key to opening that door.

Equedu: Math was your strength. Where did you need the most help?

Sara: Equedu was my support system for the things I didn't know. They helped me to research my options in detail, something I probably wouldn't have done thoroughly on my own. But the most useful part was the Interview Preparation. I was ready for the math questions, but Equedu prepared me for the "general" and motivational questions. Those can be very strange if you aren't ready for them. Learning how to present myself as a person, not just a mathematician, was vital. They also ensured my Personal Statement was flawless, as Oxford tolerates no errors there.

Sara's offer is one of Equedu's 36 Oxford offers since 2020. The medals get an Oxbridge file read. The interview preparation gets the offer. Applicants who treat the mock interview as a rehearsal, not a test, do better than those who walk in cold.

Equedu: What excites you most about moving to the UK?

Sara: The environment, I believe the recipe for success is being surrounded by the best. It is incredibly motivating to be in a place where every student is deeply passionate about what they study. I am looking forward to that energy. Plus, the idea of living in an old university city and exploring the student life at Oxford is a dream come true.

Equedu: What would you tell the next generation of applicants?

Sara: Inform yourself about the "vibe" of the university. Universities in England, like Oxford, prioritize your academic level above all else. In contrast, American universities care much more about how you present yourself as a "whole person." You need to know these differences to apply successfully.

And finally: Apply for what you truly love. It sounds obvious, but you cannot fake interest during an Oxford interview. If you love your subject, the results will come.