Oxford director of undergraduate admissions Mike Nicholson is being naive in his follow-up letter (September 3). Oxford may choose to disregard personal statements, but it is a complete fallacy to say it is not interested in extracurricular activities - because it sees the benefits of them in those it calls to interview. If these things didn’t matter in a person, Oxford wouldn’t bother with interviews either.
Joanne Dwyer, Orpington, Kent.
