Now
that's what I call spunk! Having the guts to not only reject a possibility of a
place at an Oxford college, but then the temerity to speak to Oxford dons using their
own poncy, put down language deserves an award!
How
often do you hear about a state school pupil sending their own rejection letter
to Oxford University mocking its standards and rituals after being interviewed
for a place? Elly Nowell, 19, wrote to Magdalen College that it 'did not quite
meet the standard' of other universities.
In
a parody of the institution's own letters, she wrote that she found the
'obvious gap' between minorities and white middle-class students
'embarrassing'. She said in her letter to Magdalen College that there were
'significant flaws' in its education system.
Mocking: A-level student Elly Nowell, who is predicted A*s in history, law and English literature, sent a scathing
Miss
Nowell, from Winchester, Hampshire - who is predicted A*s in her history, law
and English literature A-levels - now hopes to study law at University College
London.
She
described the Oxford University interview process as 'torture' and the college
as 'rude' for not even providing a glass of water. She also criticised the
'grand formal setting' of the interview, saying it was 'intimidating' and
biased towards public school pupils.
Yesterday
she said: 'It was during my interview that I finally realised subjecting myself
to the judgment of an institution I fundamentally disagreed with was bizarre. 'I
spent my entire time at the university laughing at how seriously they were
taking everything and felt like the only atheist in a gigantic monastery.
'Oxford
is a fairly ridiculous and prominent elitist institution, yet unlike the
monarchy or investment bankers it is rarely mocked. Even
comedians tend to avoid Oxbridge as a subject. Being a successful student
should depend on the student and not on whether a couple of academics think you
shine in a 20-minute interview.'
Hat's off girl! It's about time that those ridiculous institutions get a dose of their own medicine. They dole out rejection letters by the hundreds every year so it's really nice for them to receive one once in a while!
