As an 18 year old, I desperately wanted a university degree. However, I had no particular wish to study at either Oxford or Cambridge- and not just because I wanted to continue living at home in London, England.
I have always thought that the students at Oxford and Cambridge do nothing but study. Many of them have very wealthy family backgrounds and have attended private schools. Many of them have also achieved grades that I could only ever get in my wildest dreams.
I wanted a degree, which I now have, from a good university and at a grade that makes me very happy. But I didn't want to spend my entire university life around so many people who were so different to everything I had ever been used to.
So when I read about Elly Nowell, 19, I couldn't help but smile.
Rejection Letter
Elly Nowell has written a rejection letter to Magdalen College, Oxford, where she had applied to study Law, and recently attended an interview.
Her letter parodies those usually sent out to students by the College. It says that the institution "did not quite meet the standard" of other universities.
Ms Nowell, who is from Winchester, Hampshire, told the BBC the interview left her feeling like "the only atheist in a gigantic monastery."
Considering An Institution
The letter began: "I have now considered your establishment as a place to read Law (Jurispudence).
"I very much regret to inform you that I will be withdrawing my application.
"I realise you may be disappointed by this decision, but you were in competition with many fantastic universities and following your interview I am afraid you do not quite meet the standard of the universities I will be considering."
Should the university wish to "reapply," the letter continued, "while you may believe your decision to hold interviews in grand formal settings is inspiring, it allows public school applicants to flourish... and intimidates state school applicants, distorting the academic potential of both."
Ms Nowell also criticised Magdalen College's "traditions and rituals," and the gap between "minorities and white middle class students."
Few Complaints
In response, a university spokesperson said that 10,000 interviews are conducted over the admissions process each year, and the university receives very few complaints from students.
In a statement, the university added that "Of the seven UK students who received offers for Law and joint school courses at Magdalen, only one was from an independent school."
Former student Gemma Pouncy, 22, said her state school background did not seem like a problem when she applied. She added that she felt challenged at her interview, but that she was expecting to be challenged.
Rarely Mocked
Ms Nowell admitted that her email was not meant to be taken completely seriously.
She said: "Oxbridge 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, not on whether or not a couple of academics have deemed you to shine in a twenty minute interview."
She now hopes to study at University College London. Personally, I wouldn't want to be the teacher if she ever fails a test!
Sarah Ismail - Sarah Ismail is a physically disabled journalist and blogger. She edits her personal blog, Same Difference, which covers all kinds of ...
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