To think lots of people have a chip on their shoulder about Oxbridge?

[greensmith]

So many people are eager to disparage the two universities for pretty much anything. So many people are sensitive that one could be looking down their noses at them because they didn't also go to Oxbridge.

I didnt go anywhere so no bias from me. Obvs they are prestigious unis but i have no opinion either way- i never see anyone really slating them here. Most want their DC to go there haha

I think it's more ignorance than anything - people think they know what they are like and are mostly far off the mark.

Take it you didn't go to either then?

Are you drunk? Why are you attacking sandy? She is right, you have barely articulated and it's really unclear what's caused you to post this, as it's not something most people have seen.

I think it's very reasonable to critique the fact that those universities heavily recruit from the wealthy and enjoy a hugely disproportionate output of graduates going into the ruling class.

They are an integral part of the mechanism by which the UK retains its very low social mobility.

Of course it's nice if an individual got into a good uni and people should not be rude when pointing out systemic problems.

I know what you mean OP, some people are funny about Oxbridge. A while ago I went to a talk at a local church on a particular (quite niche) subject, and after the talk I got chatting to the speaker. I mentioned that my daughter was studying the same subject, and he asked where. When I said 'Cambridge' there was a real change in his demeanour, like I was bragging, or putting him down or something. He asked, I told him, that's all!

I couldn’t care less where people went to uni. It helps with the first job then barely worth mentioning after that. I went to a very highly rated university but nobody is interested in that now I’m 38!

I know lots of people who went to Oxbridge, all of whom went to state schools and all but one of whom have very normal professional jobs, eg teacher, doctor, vet. The exception became CEO of a big PLC and, consequently, very rich.

None of them would look down their noses at anybody, except perhaps some upper-class thicko who went to Eton and got an Oxbridge place he didn’t deserve because of Daddy’s connections and influence.

I went to ex Poly’s for both my undergrad, post grad and masters. For the later it was the best course in the field and it mattered not whethe it was RG, oxbridge or an old poly. As it happens it was in oxford but not the uni - it was the other one!

My only bugbear about oxbridge (and I don’t know if it’s both of them), but so many years after graduating with an undergrad you can pay for a masters with no additional work. I was told this one Sunday lunch mid way through doing day release for my masters... I was working hard and pissed off others could just buy them!

DuesToTheDirt I have had that experience more than once, most notably when someone I had known for years found out I had been to Oxford. She went all weird & cold and never spoke to me in the same way again

Ds is currently reading maths at cambridge in his final year.he went to a state grammar and i haven't spent a penny on his education and no tutors.He is definitely no genius!! Don't think he ever got above a maths challenge and was in the third set for maths until GCSE! From y10 he pulled out the stops and worked extremely hard.people seem to think Oxford & Cambridge are way above the other institutions when really they are very narrowly top of the pile and not even that in some subjects.Some subjects have fewer than 2 applicants per place.

Totally know what you mean OP. I purposefully avoid telling people I went to Cambridge unless they ask directly because I have much experience of the sudden change in demeanour and coldness. As if they're expecting me to suddenly reveal a hidden snobby and entitled side. Of course this only applies to Brits, in other countries no one cares!! Also got discouraged from accepting my place by a teacher at sixth form, which I suspect was similarly motivated.

I couldn't give a shit about Oxbridge. It just isn't anything I give any headspace to.

there are lots of good uni's just a plane ride away.
some uni's are better in some subjects than others.
i don't give oxford or cambridge much headspace at this point in time.

I turned down Cambridge (much to my mums disgust). I did the interview and decided I didn't belong there. Academically I would have flourished, but the atmosphere? Everyone I talked to treated me like dirt.

@Mouikey

It is definitely the case that at Cambridge your BA miraculously becomes an MA (I think two years after you graduate). I'm not sure you have to pay for it, other than the costs involved with another graduation ceremony. Of course, everyone who went to Oxford or Cambridge knows this so they're not impressed by it and would think anyone who put the letters after their name was a bit of a twat.
Both universities are working to widen access to state school pupils, though they have some way to go. I hope the OP didn't attend either or she would surely have been able to explain more clearly what the heck she's on about.