‘I was told “she’s perfect on paper, but not in real life”‘: Steph McGovern recalls her ‘harsh’ rejection letter from Oxford University
Steph McGovern has recalled how her application to the world-renowned, University of Oxford was denied.
During Wednesday’s episode of Steph’s Packed Lunch, the TV presenter, 38, recalled being told she was ‘perfect on paper, but not in real life’ in her cruel rejection letter.
Despite excelling at school, she admitted she was the only pupil at the university interview who didn’t know what she was going to be asked, as she reflected on the experience during an etiquette debate with Vogue Williams, John Whaite and Michael Portillo.
Rejected: Steph McGovern has recalled how her application to the world-renowned, University of Oxford was denied
Steph said: ‘I applied for Oxford as I was like the swat at a school, the one who had done the best in their A-levels and all that jazz, beaten the statistics and stuff.
‘I went for my interview and I was the only one there who didn’t know what we were going to be asked. Do you know what they said to me when I didn’t get in?
‘My headteacher – who was just proud I had got the interview – read me the letter, “she’s perfect on paper, but not in real life”. How harsh is that?’
The TV presenter’s comments came after they discussed the recent news that a school in East London hired an etiquette coach for pupils.
Ouch! During Wednesday’s Steph’s Packed Lunch show, the TV host, 38, recalled being told she was ‘perfect on paper, but not in real life’ in her cruel rejection letter from the prestigious institution
The passionate discussion led the Steph’s Packed Lunch guests to question whether social class or status is connected to etiquette and upbringing.
Shocked by Steph’s University of Oxford rejection, Chef John, 31, said: ‘That has to change, because kids are growing up with this idea that because they come from where they come from, they’re never going to achieve anything in life.
‘You can take them into school and teach them about etiquette, but all that is going to do is dilute their identity.
‘And that is also going to create division at home because if kids are forced to be unlike their parents that might create major rifts in family settings!’
After being turned down by Oxford, Steph went on to study Science Communication and Policy at University College London, and she also received an honourary doctorate from Teesside University.
Unprepared: Despite excelling at school, she admitted she was the only pupil at the interview who didn’t know what she was going to be asked
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