ACADEMIC GUIDE FOR THE ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

The Academic Placement Process

Students should always bear in mind that (as you have been told) Oxford is an international university (about 30% are from overseas); still, it is located in England and English customs tend to prevail. You must not think of Oxford as similar to an American University, in many ways it isn't. It is highly decentralized and individualistic. This allows for a very individual treatment of students. You will not be an IBM number here. Many U.S. students say they are amazed at how easy it is to meet with faculty members, even very senior ones. On the other hand, the academic process is not so cut and dried as it can be in the U.S.; you will not 'register' on your first day here and walk into a classroom on the second.

If you cooperate fully with the guidelines in this handbook, you should expect to have all your tutorials set before the end of First Week. Sometimes an especially good tutor for a secondary course may only be available in the second week. If you wish to enrol in a difficult or esoteric course, or one for which few, if any, tutors are available at the time, you will be so advised. You must realise that such a course may take more time to process. Naturally, if you change your mind this will also delay the process. During the period in which arrangements are made you should keep in close contact with your Academic Adviser (note his office hours,etc.), but you should not expect him to give you hourly reports ("I have contacted X who will let me know by Y", etc.) You must not worry that you have been 'forgotten'; this will not happen. Difficult subjects , however, will inevitably take longer to arrange.

Oxford dons naturally have many responsibilities, and sometimes will not be able to respond immediately. You should remember that they are used to thinking in long-range terms (most of their students are three or four year students) and may proceed a bit slower than they might in a U.S. college. Most U.S. students tell us the process is not always easy, but the end result is very rewarding.