Indians in top colleges | ‘Oxford University is an experience of lifelong learning’

Like most Indian students, my introduction to Ivy League colleges was through the internet and movies. I got to know about them when I was in Class 10 and since then, I wanted to study at one of these universities.

I am now pursuing an MPhil in Economics at Oxford University, where I started in September 2023.

When I started applying for an MPhil, I made a list of universities I wanted to apply to. Some were in the UK, some in the US, and others were spread across Europe and Asia, but I ended up applying to universities only in the UK (LSE, UCL and Oxford).

ALSO READ | ‘NTU (Singapore) helped me grow confidence; want to work for IITs or ISRO after this’

I decided upon Oxford because of the course structure and the freedom to customise the course based on my interests.

Admission process

I think the most effective way, and perhaps the best way, to research universities is by going to their official websites which provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. Apart from this, I also noticed that reaching out to people who are studying at these places is very helpful.

Most admission processes begin in October. One should always start researching at the beginning of the year if one plans to apply so that they don’t miss out on any opportunity.

If there is a deadline then one should aim to apply at least two weeks before that. Keeping a buffer period for two weeks ensures that if something goes wrong at the very end, one has enough time to fix the error.

In terms of the process, one should narrow down the field they are interested in and follow it by checking the programme website of the courses. Once you have your top 10 or top 20, you can reach out to people. In my experience, more often than not people are willing to talk and help you out.

The admission process is quite different from that in India but very similar to other international universities. One needs to take the GRE and IELTS exams before applying. In addition to this, I submitted a statement of purpose outlining my interests in the field and what I want to work on in the future.

I also submitted my CV and for Oxford, I had to send in my research work as a writing sample. I was also asked to send in letters of recommendation, which were written by my undergraduate professors at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), University of Delhi.

Beyond academics

The willingness to go beyond academics is a great way to see the real-world impact of your field of study. An internship or research project related to your field or an experience that helped you explore more is always a plus.

The internships I did revolved around the field of development economics and economic policy impact on various fields and industries and helped boost my chances.

Extracurricular activities which enable you to explore your field beyond academics also help.

Oxford, the way of life

The first few days at Oxford were challenging — not only I was in a completely new country, but I also had to figure out things I had never done before.

ALSO READ | ‘Having a published research paper made my application stronger,’ says University College London student

In retrospect, I found shopping for cleaning supplies funny and was shocked to see how much stuff there is just to clean your house. As a kid and living with your parents, one never thinks about such things — buying hand wash, dishwasher, and detergent. It is a moment which is equal parts shocking and scary.

Luckily, the student culture at Oxford is one of the best in my experience. What still surprises me is how easy it is to walk up to anyone — be it your coursemate, someone from a different course or even your professors — and talk to them. I appreciate how encouraging people here are to you asking questions and doubts.

The other favourite thing is the formal dinners at different colleges. During these dinners, you are seated next to a stranger and can not only make friends but also learn about other cultures and countries.

I have had the opportunity to talk to an individual in the development field, another pursuing a PhD in cancer studies, someone who is working on finding methods to mainstream Ayurvedic medicines, and someone in their late 50s doing a PhD in computer sciences.

Over the past two months, I have interacted with people from all across the world and come to understand their cultures and perspectives which has helped me open my mind to diverse viewpoints and develop a broader worldview.

At Oxford, after meeting people with a range of experience in terms of academics or internships, or maybe life in general, I have realised what it means when they say there is no end to learning.

As I know there is always more to learn, it has motivated me to go that extra mile to put things in perspective and explore beyond the field of academics.