Students applying for a place at Oxford or Cambridge are increasingly jeopardising their chances – by attempting to “out-Left” each other.
Applicants have been expressing their Left wing views at application or interview stage – but are then unable to back up these views with tangible evidence or literature. For example, many are discussing their admiration for Jeremy Corbyn or distaste towards the Conservatives – without being able to fully explain why.
Rebecca Williams, of Oxbridge Applications, told the Telegraph that the expression of strong views was not bad per se, but “students had to show that they could argue their case”.
Many are expressing their views thoroughly, but without forming tangible arguments – which does not bode well for an application to universities that demand strong argumentative acumen and research.
Not surprising from a generation that has learnt political debate from Twitter… https://t.co/w1B3Nc49im pic.twitter.com/hvn78e8OOE
— Stefano Gelmini (@gelmo1981) August 28, 2016
It is worth noting that the Oxford’s debating society has produced a large proportion of politicians in our country – the art of debate is held high at the institution, and a lack of ability to back up your political ideology is not an attractive quality.
With increasing protests at Oxbridge universities, including the Cecil Rhodes statue debacle, students are exerting increasingly radical and strong ideas to get themselves through the process, often displaying a growing inflexibility when challenged on these views.
It is common on University campuses for students who do not display Left wing views to be “shut down” or “no platformed” within societies. Students applying to Oxbridge are evidently catching on to this, and exerting more hard Left views to fit in with the norm on campus.
