Natasha Holcroft-Emmess

Keble College 2009, Law

I attended Bridgewater High School and Appleton Sixth Form College, both in Warrington, Cheshire. My dad is a self-employed butcher on Knutsford and Altrincham Markets in Cheshire and mum is a call-centre manager for BT. Neither went to university.

I attended the Sutton Trust Summer School in 2008. Meeting the current students who mentored us for the week really helped me because it was nice to see that people of a similar background were already at Oxford. It is tempting to think “They'll never accept someone like me” if you are not the 'typical' Oxford student. It turned out that this is more of a stereotype than a true representation of undergraduates here.

We were given some undergraduate reading which was stretching, but comprehensible and interesting, and showed me you don't have to be a genius to study here. It's more about being bright and engaged with your subject.

The advice we were given about writing the personal statement and interviews really helped me and encouraged me to apply. The experience not only affirmed my belief in Oxford's reputation as one of the most academically enriching institutions in the world, it also tipped the scales in favour of me applying here. When we had lectures and classes with Oxford's world-leading academics, they really engaged with us and it was obvious that they are truly passionate about their subjects. They wanted to know my opinion on the topic, which really made me think and gave me the intellectual freedom to come to my own conclusion, both skills which you develop as an undergraduate here. Once I had experienced this, I knew Oxford was the place I wanted to spend my university years.

The best thing about the Oxford application process is the close consideration that applications are given. The fact that this is based on many different criteria is a major benefit. Other universities will offer a place based solely on grades and a personal statement, but Oxford admissions tutors take into account the candidate's grades, personal statement, performance in any applicable written tests, and interviews. I found this really reassuring because I knew the tutors would build up an overall picture of me as a candidate and see where my strengths lay.

The interview was my favourite stage in the process. I saw my interview more like a discussion with a teacher than a formal interview. If you keep this in mind, it is easy to see that there really are no difficult or 'trick' questions and no wrong answers; the tutors just want to see you can think an idea through and have an opinion on it, which they can discuss with you, much like what we do in tutorials.

Being taught by some of the best academics in the world always astounds me. These people often wrote the textbooks and articles from which you study the subject. From this, you are trained to think critically and decide between their competing arguments – they actively encourage debate. This is stimulating, enriching work and employers covet the skills you learn through this.

Then there's the library access. You have access to a college library and a faculty library, and anything you can't get from those you can get from the Bodleian library. The convenience this affords makes studying much easier and consequently encourages your learning.

Another major benefit is employability: especially in the current financial climate. A degree from Oxford makes candidates stand out to employers and really opens up doors to almost any career path you want to take in the future.

One particular experience at Summer School really struck a chord with me, which still rings true of my studies now in Oxford. During the week at Summer School we had a criminal law seminar with Professor John Gardner, who is currently Professor of Jurisprudence in Oxford. We discussed a criminal case about police powers and he asked us all how we would change the law in this area. It got me thinking about gaps in the law and how the courts have to deal with grey areas such as these everyday. The work of our Oxford academics really has an impact on the reasoning of the court in making such decisions, the courts' judgments even refer to them by name occasionally. I decided that in the future I want my opinion to affect such changes in the law; I had, in effect, found my vocation. I now read Professor Gardner's work as part of my course, and make my own decisions based on my study of his and others' learned opinions.

Oxford prides itself on taking the 'brightest and best' students, and we are living proof that this is no longer restricted to a person's background, but is based more on merit than ever before. This trend must be supported and encouraged to continue. It is worth applying; there is nothing to lose by doing so and the benefits, if you are successful, are extraordinary. If you don't apply you'll never know. It could be, as it certainly was for me, the best thing you ever do.