Fab exam results and predictions but not even an interview from Cambridge Uni.

[nandio]

12GCSEs only 2As and the rest top grades.4A* and A predicted at A level - no interview from Cambridge. Not BME but white working class.

Why would Cambridge not interview a student of this calibre?

[Annandale]

I'm sorry to hear that. Because 98 per cent of the applicants have the same qualifications? What subjects at a level? Usually cambridge are supposed to be looking for passion for the subject?

[HamishTheTalkingCactus]

If this is your dc not interviewed, that's a shame, I hope they are not too
gutted - they could reapply after A Levels, if they are particularly set on Oxbridge. Either they have somehow made a mistake, or the competition this year is so stiff that everyone else has the same or better grades. I'm assuming that this isn't a Medicine/Vet Med application, where sheloads of voluntary work are also required?

[NotCitrus]

I would guess because their statement hasn't shown evidence of reading and learning around the subject and understanding the nature of the course at Cambridge. All their applicants will have similar grades/predictions.

I'd consider applying after A-level and getting a college or the Social Mobility Foundation or someone to advise on the statement.

[Veterinari]

Because it’s not just about grades - it’s about grades, plus demonstrating a passion for the subject (which subject was it?) and showing that you’re a well-rounded person who will make a positive contribution to student life.

[SaltyMyDear]

It’s most certainly not true that everyone applying has those grades.

So therefore it must have been either those subjects weren’t a good match for her degree or her personal statement put them off.

[titchy]

They ^ said. Grades aren't enough. PS need to show development of ideas etc. There's also separate tests that maybe applicant didn't score so well in, and we don't know that the A level subjects were the right ones either. Three Astar predictions in Law, Art and Media A Level ain't gonna get a NatSci offer.

[nandio]

Applied for Nat Sci all the right A levels .

Been in the physics Olympiad team for 2 years. Very passionate about physics.

[roisin]

Sorry to hear this. Anything working against them? Is it a high-performance, independent or selective school? Does the school have a reputation for inflated predicted grades? Were there any pre-tests? Is it a particularly oversubscribed course?

I am sure they will flourish elsewhere and find somewhere they are very happy. Oxbridge teaching system does not suit everyone and they are pretty good at picking those students who will thrive in that environment.

[Theworldisfullofgs]

I don't get it anymore. Cambridge and Oxford required grades are pretty much the same as other unis now.
My friend's son did v v well at not standard comp for gcse. Then was predicted 5 As at A level at a bog standard sixth form, whilst holding down a job and playing for a football team . Didn't get a place. He got 5 A* at A level in the end.

[Theworldisfullofgs]

Meant to say bog standard comp

[MrsPatmore]

'Not BME but white working class'. Not sure what you mean by this - do BME students get automatically interviewed?

[rightreckoner]

That sounds v tough. Competition is really changing everything isn’t it. I got in so easily when I look back - pretty clever at school. That was basically it. Certainly no physics Olympiad

Worth asking school or trying again next year ?

[Ontopofthesunset]

I know at least one white middle class child from a private school (just in case the OP was suggesting that the white working class bit was significant) with 10 A stars and 1 A at GCSE, predicted 4 A*, who didn't get an interview at Oxford for a similar science subject. Cambridge also requires candidates to take a Natural Sciences aptitude test which will inform their decisions. A less good result on this could make the difference.

Every year there are more qualified applicants than there are places. Some decisions will seem arbitrary. There will be many disappointed candidates this year as every year who would be good enough to get in but didn't quite make the grade. Last year only about 25% of NatSci applicants got an offer - it's a hugely oversubscribed subject.

[rightreckoner]

BME students clearly not automatically interviewed but Oxbridge are actively looking at diversity so a really strong candidate from a comp ought to have more of a shout than the same candidate from private school. Don’t know if they would know about class status though other than by general indicators such as school type and geographical area.

[MeVoila]

Do they still do the second 'pool' in the applications process? Forgotten what it's called- something like summer pool??? which makes it sound more pleasant than it is ...

[SarahMused]

I would definitely ask for feedback from the admissions team at the college applied for. Cambridge say they interview everyone with a realistic chance of being offered a place. That includes around 75% of applicants. Either there has been a mistake, which is unlikely but possible, or there is some criterea this student doesn’t meet. Unless you ask you won’t know for sure.

[chocatoo]

Confirms my view that its not where I'd choose for my DD to go. Their loss. Your child will thrive elsewhere.
I actually think this generation are a lot more discerning about what unis will really have the best courses...by that I mean the actual content and the way it is taught.
Oxbridge may still have a certain cachet but my observation is that they are definitely not for everyone regardless of how academically bright.

[BertrandRussell]

You used to be able to get feedback from Oxbridge interviews -not sure whether you can from applications?

[thereallifesaffy]

Same happened to DS a few years back applying for Oxford. Big standard comp. Well, he got an interview ( so must have done ok in test). But rejected at interview bc he was poorly prepared and the school wasn't used to giving oxbridge references and wrote a lack lustre one
He reapplied to Cambridge after getting stellar A levels and took a fab gap year.
So nil desperandum - tell him to reapply after results. My DS went abroad and learned a language.
It's weird your child didn't get an interview With those results and predictions. Cambridge interviews c 80% of applicants.
Just reapply tho - it'll be fine x

[MollyHuaCha]

I know some amazing young people with similar exam results who were rejected by Oxbridge. They applied both before and after A level results, didn't even get an interview. They're v happy at other unis now.

[SarahMused]

Bertrand your school referee can request with permission from the student. Failing this the parent or guardian can with a written statement from the student giving permission. My guess is this will most likely be down to performance in the admissions test if all else is ok.

[whenlifegetshard]

A lot of it comes down to the number and calibrate of the applicants for a specific college- so they might have 6 places but a hundred applicants. They shortlist and interview from the shortlist and those not successful at interview are pooled. You don’t apply to Cambridge at all - you apply to study at a college of the uni, and it can be simply down to the numbers for that subject

If you are particularly set - consider colleges further out from the centre (generally less applicants) and anything not pretty and Harry Potter esque. It makes a difference in your chances. Though oftentimes they are filled up by students who got interviewed elsewhere but weren’t considered an ideal academic or cultural fit.

[ShovingLeopard]

That sounds very disappointing. The Admissions Tutor should be able to give feedback, and as pps said, it may be possible to strengthen the application and reapply when they have their actual results.

Do you know how many students usually apply per place at that college? Some colleges have way more students applying per place than others. A future application may have greater success if they apply to a college with a comparatively low ratio of application to offers, though NatSci is very popular.

[JustRichmal]

Have you spoken to your dc's school? Do they know why?
5A levels is an unusually large number. I was told universities, including Oxford and Cambridge only take the top three into account, so with at least 3A* predicted, it cannot be due to this.

It is obviously upsetting, but it is not the end of the world. Paul Nurse could not get into Oxbridge because of failing O level French. It did not stop him getting a Nobel prize.

[SarahMused]

I think it would be very unusual for Cambridge not to offer an interview to a state school student with this profile of results and predicted grades if there was no other problem. I’ve known plenty of students from my bog standard comp get interviews with significantly worse profiles. Cambridge interview lots and pick a few. Not to get an interview means there is an issue somewhere that they can tell you about. I am presuming their school did put them in for the admissions test?