For the past 25 years, Oxbridge Applications has supported more than 100,000 ambitious students from over 120 countries. It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to work with so many uniquely brilliant minds, and to have played a part in helping them give shape and substance to their dreams and ambitions. 

As home to the largest network of vetted Oxbridge-educated tutors, our expert team has guided each student through what can often be an intimidating process, preparing them for the exciting journey ahead. 

While we continue to look to the future, we also want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and the impact we’ve had on so many students. Some of them are still with us today – not as tutees, but as tutors! 

Meet Buraq – one of our tutors and a former Oxbridge Applications student – who is now a Parke-Davis Research Fellow at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute/Harvard Medical School, as well as a fifth-year medical student at the University of Cambridge. 

We recently caught up with him to hear his advice for aspiring Oxbridge students… 

What services or support did you use? What role did that support play at key decision points along the way? 

I was part of the access program at Oxford Applications, which provided one-to-one mentoring specifically for students from low-access or underrepresented educational backgrounds. My mentor guided me through every step of the application process—helping me focus on critical thinking and independent research rather than merely reviewing content. We honed in on my interests in neurosurgery and the role of inflammation in psychiatric illnesses, and that tailored guidance was invaluable when crafting my personal statement, preparing for entrance exams, and practicing interview techniques. Being able to consult my mentor at each stage gave me clarity on what to prioritize next. 

How were you feeling about your university or course choices before working with us? Were there any specific challenges, uncertainties, or goals that brought you to us? 

Before working with Oxford Applications, I felt at a loss—I wasn’t sure how to structure an application or approach the process. As the first person in my family to apply to a UK university, I lacked role models who had “been there” before. I was passionate about medicine but didn’t know how to translate that passion into a standout application. Oxford Applications’ dedicated experts and structured courses—from writing my personal statement to mock interview practice—gave me both the roadmap and the confidence I needed. 

Was there a time you felt more confident or capable because of something you learned with us? 

Definitely. By teaching parts of the syllabus back to my mentor and having him guide me further—much like a Cambridge supervisor—I gained a strong sense of self-assessment. When I reached the interview stage, I felt confident and was able to critique myself effectively, guiding my own preparation throughout the process. 

Are there any stories, details, or small moments that stayed with you from working with our team? 

One of the most memorable experiences was attending the annual access day in London. Meeting peers who were at the same stage of the process—and realizing I wasn’t alone—was fantastic. I still keep in touch with some of those students now, and many of them became friends once we started at university. It was a powerful networking opportunity that reminded me this journey is as much about community as it is about academics. 

What are you doing now, and how did your university experience or degree prepare you for your current role? 

I’m currently in my fifth year of medicine at the University of Cambridge and taking a year out to do a research fellowship at Harvard University. My project focuses on epitranscriptomics and treatment-resistant forms of breast cancer, as well as prostate cancer. Working with Oxford Applications taught me how to dive into primary literature, formulate hypotheses, and critique data—skills that have translated directly into designing experiments and analyzing complex datasets in my fellowship. 

What’s it like to support students who are in the position you once were in? Has tutoring changed how you view your own student journey? 

I now tutor for Oxford Applications regularly, and I particularly enjoy widening the access component—supporting students who come from similar backgrounds to mine. Because I’ve been through the process myself, I understand the specific questions and uncertainties they face. Guiding them through their own application journeys reminds me how impactful targeted mentorship can be and renews my appreciation for the opportunities I’ve received. 

How do you define success now, compared to when you were a student? 

These days, I define success by comparing myself only to my past self—asking, “Am I better than I was yesterday?” or “How have I improved since last month?” When I was an undergraduate applicant, success felt like external validation: getting that offer letter or earning top marks. Now, success is about incremental growth that I can actually control. It’s far more sustainable and rewarding. 

If you could give one piece of advice to a student starting this journey now, what would it be? 

 Take it one step at a time. This process is a marathon, not a sprint. Whatever you’re learning now becomes a skill set and mindset you’ll use long after applications are done. Focus on genuine curiosity and steady improvement rather than rushing through tasks. 

What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about applying to a competitive course or university? 

If you love to learn and are eager to grow, you belong in that environment. Admissions teams look for potential and a teachable mindset above all else. Your passion and drive will speak for themselves—so don’t hold back. 

Is there something you wish you’d known at the start of your journey that you know now? 

I wish I’d understood how attainable a place at Cambridge really was. I believed it was reserved for people with a certain background, but in reality, the process values potential more than what you already know. If you can demonstrate curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to learn, you have a great shot at success.