Gillian Low (Letters, September 3) appears to confuse Oxford’s focus on academic ability during their selection process with their interest in extracurricular activities. Students need to be exceptionally academically able to survive the rigours of Oxbridge courses, and identifying such students forms the heart of the selection process. Also, both Oxford and Cambridge offer encouragement for the numerous extracurricular activities on offer.
Julian Gilbey, Cambridge STEP Examination principal examiner.