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Colleges Seek Kids' Opinions on Grapefruit, Perfect Crime

Quirky questions catch students off-guard

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Dec 9, 2008 12:34 PM CST
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(Newser) – Bored with prospective students regurgitating textbook knowledge, Cambridge and Oxford have revamped their interview questions to include the abstract (Would you rather be a novel or a poem?), the existential (What does it mean to be happy?), and the downright crazy (How would you poison someone and get away with it?), reports CNN.

Administrators say that ruminations on whether thermostats can think will get students “out of their comfort zones,” and will possibly even the playing field for low-income students competing against those who can afford $300-per-hour prep sessions. "What we want to do is get them to start thinking for themselves,” Oxford's admissions director says.

Why not let Ikea's managers lead the country instead of politicians, Cambridge asks.
Why not let Ikea's managers lead the country instead of politicians, Cambridge asks.   (Photo: Business Wire)
If you were a grapefruit would you be seedless or not, Cambridge wants to know.
If you were a grapefruit would you be seedless or not, Cambridge wants to know.   (Shutter Stock)
Can a thermostat think, Oxford asks college applicants.
Can a thermostat think, Oxford asks college applicants.   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Zebraone
Dec 10, 2008 9:48 PM CST
Thinking out of the box has produced more than the rote filled minds ever could!

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college admissions • Cambridge • Oxford • private schools • interview • college preparation

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