The traditional Oxford tutorial is usually a one-on-one meeting between tutor and student. Essays are presented weekly and form the basis of tutorial discussions. Students are graded by the same standards expected of degree candidates; grades are based on tutorial essays, tutorial discussions and sometimes written examinations. It will be apparent that the success of the system relies upon your engaging in extensive independent work, using the resources available to you, under the broad guidance of your tutor. The tutor's function is not to spoon-feed knowledge down compliant throats; sometimes you may leave one tutorial armed with only a reading list and the title of your next essay. But through the tutorial method you learn the skills of critical evaluation of material and organisation of ideas not fostered by any other system, which is one reason why Oxford graduates are so highly prized in the outside world. Indeed, one might sum up the tutorial system by saying that its greatest function is to teach you how to teach yourself, probably the most important academic lesson you will ever learn. The flexibility of the individual tutorial allows each student to design a curriculum suited to his or her specific interests and requirements. There is no regular schedule from which to select classes. Instead, students are encouraged to consult with their home college advisers to prepare a program of study which will satisfy credit requirements for their home college and make maximum advantage of their stay in Oxford. This means that the only limit upon courses available (within academic standards) is the imagination of the student. "Excellent academic program - I had good tutors and everything went very smoothly." LS, Stanford University Two tutorial courses are pursued a term. Courses are taught only at the US advanced (junior or senior year) levels. A wide range of courses is available. Almost any upper-division academic subject may be studied, including laboratory courses (such courses must be approved by the Oxford Department). If they wish, students may do academic work for 13 weeks, in addition to a 12 day orientation. The WISC Student Handbook briefly describes hundreds of courses chosen by non-graduating students in the past, together with the names of tutors (with their college affiliations, etc.). A good number of these tutors are especially distinguished - Masters or Vice-Masters of colleges, holders of chairs in subjects, Fellows of the British Academy and Fellows of the Royal Society (eminent scholars in the arts and the sciences), directors of graduate programs, etc. It may be that your home college professors know some of the scholars personally or by reputation. You are encouraged to ask to study with particular scholars. Please consult our Student Handbook on this website. All students will have borrowing rights in at least four libraries, including full use of their college library on the same basis as degree candidates, the Union Society Library (if you choose to join), the city libraries, the Oxford Brookes University Library and the small WISC library. That is, they will have borrowing rights in libraries that hold about one million books. In addition, WISC will pay for half the cost to the student of any academic book bought by the student and given to the WISC library for the benefit of other students. Because fees for both Visiting Students and Associate Students are set on an "average use" basis, there are no refunds for students who choose to enroll in less tutorials (or who choose not to take a certain tour, not to use a certain library, to leave a week or two early, etc.) Students, with academic approval, may enroll in a few extra tutorials at no added cost. Visiting Students (depending on the individual college) will normally study in two primary tutorials (nine plus nine) over 12-13 weeks. Sometimes the Academic Adviser may believe it is educationally desirable for a student to study three courses of six tutorials each. Visiting Students will have full use of the University Library, which has six million books, and the appropriate Faculty Libraries, and may participate in lectures and laboratories, on the same basis as degree candidates. Laboratory use requires the approval of the science department. Associate Students will normally study in one primary course (nine tutorials) and one secondary course (five tutorials). An Academic Adviser may assign more tutorials if the home college believes it to be desirable. (There is no extra cost). Upon the recommendation of his or her tutor, and the invitation of the lecturer, a student may attend chosen lecture courses. Associate Students may use the University Library for 34 hours a week; they may not use most of the faculty libraries. Laboratory courses are possible. For more information on Oxford University go to: www.ox.ac.uk. For a list of courses go to: www.admissions.ox.ac.uk/courses/ "In my view, WISC did a tremendous job and is of significant benefit to the students involved." Commander HH, USN, Georgetown University graduate school This student is also a Harvard graduate, MPA. He is now (2006) a Rear Admiral, USN. In all cases, housing for one-term students is provided for 13 weeks each term. All students are guaranteed housing during the Winter and Spring vacation periods at no extra cost. "It must be the best overseas program in Britain." AG, Dartmouth College Graduate Study is Available Both Visiting and Associate Students may study at the graduate level either in cooperation with one of the primarily undergraduate colleges (which all have graduate students) or as a Visiting Student in one of three graduate colleges. WISC has had an arrangement with St. Antony's - the graduate college of International Relations - since 1987. Two other graduate colleges, Linacre and St. Cross, have also invited us to recommend Visiting Students. Such graduate students have studied Law, International Relations and Business in the past as well as Arts and Sciences. Every year, several WISC alumni return to Oxford to study as candidates for graduate degrees. Recommendations from their former Oxford tutors are usually helpful.

Magdalen College

When British students apply to Oxford, they often list one of the Medieval or Renaissance colleges as their first choice. Because of their competitiveness, these colleges normally rank at the top of the informal league tables (the number of students graduating with firsts and high seconds).

Recently, Magdalen College (pronounced "Maudlin") came in second in the rankings. Magdalen is generally regarded as one of the three grand colleges of Oxford, the others being Christ Church and New College (where WISC also has a long standing arrangement).

It was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester and later Lord High Chancellor of England. The official name of the College is "The President and Scholars of the College of St. Mary Magdalen in the University of Oxford".

Magdalen has 407 undergraduates and 144 graduates and is one of the largest colleges in Oxford. The library is one of the largest college libraries and is open 24 hours a day; Visiting Students will have full borrowing privileges.

According to the Oxford Handbook (written by students), "Magdalen's deserved reputation for beauty is accompanied by a general atmosphere of tolerance. With the deer park and extensive grounds, Magdalen provides a tranquil and romantic background to a very high standard of academic achievement".

The college has often been described as "stunningly beautiful", an idyllic riverside setting. Although more traditional than most colleges, Magdalen has a reputation for friendliness and a laid-back ethos.

There is a room named after Oscar Wilde, a former student of Magdalen. Edward Gibbon, King Edward VIII, several Commonwealth Prime Ministers, U.S. Supreme Court Justices David Souter and Stephen Breyer and many leaders in many fields were also alumni.

The first American to teach at the University of Oxford was James Ward, BA, Harvard College. He was a clergyman and was appointed as a fellow of Magdalen College on October 10th, 1648.

Magdalen has one more significant arrangement with a U.S. educational institution, it regularly welcomes a small group of Associate Students from Stanford University. The college works with only one overseas program-WISC-to receive recommendations for Visiting Student places.

The Academic Supervisor for these Visiting Students in Magdalen College is a former Vice President of Magdalen College, Derek Robinson, CBE, an emeritus fellow and a lecturer in Economics. As a very experienced scholar,former Vice President Robinson will be able to persuade some of the best teachers in Oxford University to tutor these students. He will ensure that these Visiting Students are taught in the normal way by these same highly qualified tutors who teach degree candidates.

For more information on Magdalen College go to: www.magd.ox.ac.uk (Visiting Students only)(Please note the reference to WISC)

New College

New College was established in 1379 by Bishop William of Wykeham. The official name of the college is "The Warden and Scholars of St. Mary College of Winchester in Oxford, commonly called New College in Oxford".

Several decades earlier, in 1326, another college in Oxford was named after the Virgin Mary; its official name was "The House of Blessed Mary the Virgin in Oxford, commonly called Oriel College". The second college named for the Virgin Mary was therefore commonly called "New College". Along with Christ Church and Magdalen it is one of the largest and grandest colleges in Oxford.

As one guide puts it, "it is one of the largest and best known colleges, and undeniably one of the most beautiful". New College has some of the largest and most beautiful gardens in Oxford; it is also famous for its medieval cloisters. The dining hall is the oldest of any Oxford or Cambridge college. Over the centuries, Britons who became leaders in all walks of life studied at New College. The faculty is particularly distinguished, having five scholars who are either Fellows of the British Academy (for leading scholars in the humanities) or Fellows of the Royal Society (for leading scholars in the sciences). The faculty also includes nine professors (in Oxford there is usually only one Chair - professorial title - in each subject). Last year New College had the largest number of graduates earning first class degrees.

The College admits both men and women and there are now 389 undergraduates and 140 graduate students. Students say that because of the large size of the college (by Oxford standards) most interests are represented and the student body is both diverse and very friendly. They have always given a warm welcome to American and other overseas students. (WISC has worked with New College since 1988).

The University prospectus notes that "the College offers a full range of sporting facilities." There is a riverside sports field with a pavilion and squash courts.

At New College, the Academic Supervisor for Visiting Students is Mark Griffith (D.Phil, Oxon). He is Fellow and Tutor in English and is Senior Tutor (Academic Dean). WISC is the only overseas program (open to all qualified students) that recommends students for Visiting Student places at New College.

For more information on New College go to: www.new.ox.ac.uk

Trinity College

Trinity College, which welcomes associate members only from WISC, was founded in 1544. It is one of the smaller colleges, having just 257 undergraduates, and tends to have a strong esprit de corps.

The College was founded by Queen Mary I, upon the site of an older college and monastery, Durham College, founded in 1286. Some of the earlier buildings still survive, dating from 1421.

The extensive gardens are perhaps the most beautiful in Oxford.