BBC Learning English
Words in the News
Rejecting Oxford

20

th

January 2012

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 1 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Oxford University, which has sent out thousands of rejection letters in the past, has

found itself the subject of a joke played by a student applicant, who decided to turn the

tables. The BBC's John McManus reports.

Nineteen-year old Elly Nowell from Winchester in the south of England applied to the

Oxford college of Magdalen to read law, but when she was invited for interview she

decided she didn't like what she saw.

Elly, who is finishing her A-levels, told the BBC that Oxford resembled the British

Monarchy in that it was what she called ridiculous and elitist, but unlike the Royal

Family, was rarely mocked.

Her actions may well change that. Following her interview at Magdalen college, Elly wrote

a rejection letter to the University, using the kind of language that officials employ

when they're trying to let somebody down gently.

Elly admits that her letter of rejection to the university was not entirely serious, but it

has raised some serious points.

Oxford, and Cambridge universities are often accused of elitism, and of having entrance

procedures that favour students from private schools.

Yet Oxford says it's changing, and that last year, more than half of its academic offers

went to pupils from state schools.

As for Elly, she now hopes to gain a place at University College London. The admissions

staff there may well be watching the mailbox very closely.

Words in the News

© British Broadcasting Corporation 2012

Page 2 of 2

bbclearningenglish.com

Vocabulary and definitions

A-levels

exams taken by 18 year-olds in England and Wales

resembled

seemed like

ridiculous

very silly

elitist

for the interest of a small group of people who want
to exclude others

mocked

joked about

rejection letter

letter which tells someone they are not wanted

employ

use

let somebody down

disappoint someone

procedures

set of actions considered normal in a certain situation

state schools

schools funded by government rather than paid for
directly by parents

More on this story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-16604050

Read and listen to the story and the vocabulary online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/wordsinthenews/2012/01/120119_rejecting_oxford.shtml