To ask what you would think about someone that had masters degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge?

[Zorbing]

That's the question!

Its not me, obvs. But I am wondering what assumptions, if any, you might make about someone like this (justified or otherwise).

Would you think they were highly intelligent / had a strong work ethic? Or just lucky and privileged?

Would you think that they're probably a bit of a dickhead?

Its a woman incidentally, not sure if that makes a difference.

@Jacopo

So can we assume she didn’t get the job? Probably just as well, if it would have meant she had to work with people who despise education and hard work.

I did not say that. And it would be too outing to say whether she did or she didn't. Or whether she did but chose not to accept, which is of course another option.

@peachyandkeen I studied in the 2010s at an average university, and scholarships weren’t a thing unfortunately. Hardship loans were impossible to attain even in debt (actual day to day debt). Not sure if that government loan was around then or when it came in but although there will be the odd person who manages to do it all from a working class background, no family wealth, no savings, twice over (on top of an undergrad), I’d say they’re the rarity. So I would presume privilege unless shown otherwise (not that it would affect my view of someone, you can’t help what you’re born into).

I wasn't going to make this personal, but fuck it. I have degrees from both of the Places, although one is my undergrad. I will also embark this year on my third master's degree. All three have/will contribute to build the skill cluster I have now, which is rare and desirable.

I have worked/will work FT or close to FT through all three postgrad degrees. The first one I paid for with savings I acquired working FT after I finished undergrad; the second and third were/will be fully funded by my employer. Alongside and around, I've acquired 16 years of work experience.

A lot of the assumptions people are making are crap.

I also used to know a man with two Oxbridge PhDs. His field was a highly specific one where the sciences collided with philosophy; he had PhDs in both. He was a lovely, highly intelligent and fully competent-at-life man, and presumably still is, and he was also a successful academic.

There are loads of scholarships available at Oxbridge especially for postgrads. Often they’re for really niche categories depending on who donated the money. But very possible to get more than one especially if you fit that niche and not many others do!

I have a childhood friend (we grew up in California) who chose to get an MBA from Oxford. I dunno how he funded it, but It worked out much cheaper than Ivy League coz only one year course. Maybe he got a bank loan with one parent as guarantor. He makes an obscene amount of money for blue chip companies now, as result of that 'investment'. His mother was a WWII refugee to USA, not a silver spoon background at all.

@BuffySummersReportingforSanity

I wasn't going to make this personal, but fuck it. I have degrees from both of the Places, although one is my undergrad. I will also embark this year on my third master's degree. All three have/will contribute to build the skill cluster I have now, which is rare and desirable.

I have worked/will work FT or close to FT through all three postgrad degrees. The first one I paid for with savings I acquired working FT after I finished undergrad; the second and third were/will be fully funded by my employer. Alongside and around, I've acquired 16 years of work experience.

A lot of the assumptions people are making are crap.

I also used to know a man with two Oxbridge PhDs. His field was a highly specific one where the sciences collided with philosophy; he had PhDs in both. He was a lovely, highly intelligent and fully competent-at-life man, and presumably still is, and he was also a successful academic.

Good for you @BuffySummersReportingforSanity and I mean that genuinely. I think this is a wonderful achievement, and something you should be extremely proud of. Ignore the naysayers and people who are rude / make horrible assumptions. But, that's life I suppose (in a sense) Oxbridge is a close off institution to most people, and its still, to a certain extent, an opaque thing - so of course there will be misconceptions and inaccuracies.

Best of luck on your next masters! I am super intrigued as to where you are doing it but I suppose you won't say as may be outing. Is it Harvard? :)

@PattyPan

There are loads of scholarships available at Oxbridge especially for postgrads. Often they’re for really niche categories depending on who donated the money. But very possible to get more than one especially if you fit that niche and not many others do!

And arguably also if you're academically excellent. I don't think that niche alone is enough.

I’d genuinely think they had wasted their time.

@Shoppingwithmother

I’d genuinely think they had wasted their time.

Why?

@WeatherSystems

People talking about scholarships and government loans: for one, perhaps. But is it really likely or possible that somebody would manage to achieve the government loan twice (surely there’s a limit?) or a scholarship twice?

To be able to fund a MA plus living costs twice over means you’re in a privileged position. Maybe I’m overlooking the unicorns though, which she may be.

Maybe an employer paid for one and they used the loan for the other?

I have multiple postgraduate qualifications and I haven't paid for a single one.

Thank you for your kind words @Zorbing no, my third master's will be a good UK university for the subject but not Harvard!

They're pretty clever, I would think. Top percentile at least

I’d wonder why they’d spent so much time studying and not got a real job. I’d assume they had issues of some kind. Or were a professional sports person.

@MrsKrystalStubbs

I’d wonder why they’d spent so much time studying and not got a real job. I’d assume they had issues of some kind. Or were a professional sports person.

What’s wrong with doing a bit of further studying if they enjoy it / it’ll progress their career? Life isn’t all about work!

If you don’t need to earn a wage then study away. Most Oxbridge graduates I know would want to capitalise on their hard work and turn their minds to earning. But of course there are those who have no need for a wage and can embrace academia. Whatever. Not sure why I even commented on this thread now!

Two FT master's degrees is two years. People on here routinely take 5+ years out for kids with the (reasonable) justification that working life is near on 50 years long. And if it took longer than two years, that's generally because people are... working.

I'd love to see the shitstorm that would be sparked here if someone criticised a woman taking two year-long maternity leaves when they should have been "capitalising on their hard work and turning their mind to earning".

@PattyPan

There are loads of scholarships available at Oxbridge especially for postgrads. Often they’re for really niche categories depending on who donated the money. But very possible to get more than one especially if you fit that niche and not many others do!

This is true. There used to be insanely specific small scholarships for daughters of impoverished clergy, and scholarships for visiting a place of natural beauty with an association with your research etc etc. As well as lots of subject-specific and college-specific ones.

@BuffySummersReportingforSanity

Two FT master's degrees is two years. People on here routinely take 5+ years out for kids with the (reasonable) justification that working life is near on 50 years long. And if it took longer than two years, that's generally because people are... working.

I'd love to see the shitstorm that would be sparked here if someone criticised a woman taking two year-long maternity leaves when they should have been "capitalising on their hard work and turning their mind to earning".

👏🏼

Is think they were a procrastinator, and wonder why they hadn't started paid employment sooner.

@ListenToChickens

Is think they were a procrastinator, and wonder why they hadn't started paid employment sooner.

What is this utter obsession with paid employment?

You never really hear anybody declare that doing a masters course is procrastination (especially given that some industries demand a masters-level qualification) do how can one additional year for a second masters degree make them a procrastinator?

@ListenToChickens

Is think they were a procrastinator, and wonder why they hadn't started paid employment sooner.

Honestly this and a very small minority of the other comments on this thread reek of jealousy.

I’d just think they were very intelligent and hard working, and fair play to them.

I wouldn’t assume they were privileged at all by background. My DH went to Oxford from a north Wales comp and has a very ordinary family.

I wouldn’t assume they’d be a dick either. Most of the nicest people I’ve ever met are friends of DH’s from University.

Frankly your post is really weird.

@ListenToChickens

Is think they were a procrastinator, and wonder why they hadn't started paid employment sooner.

What is so wrong with a woman wanting to enrich herself and develop her mind?

Or is it that the only options are workhorse (in the labour market) or home horse (kids)?

I’ve got an UG MA from a Scottish Ancient, and a taught Masters (MBA) from Cambridge. TBF it wasn’t that academically taxing to get the MBA; more that it was massively work-intensive. I then went on (a number of years later) to get my PhD. I guess I really like studying - or I’m a masochist. One of those things, anyway. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤣🤣 I came from a bog-standard Scottish comprehensive school, and was the first person in my family to go to university. So, although I was very fortunate to be able to undertake all that study, I wasn’t really expected to be a great academic high flyer. My parents encouraged me, ans my siblings, and placed high priority on books/educational activities. My elder sister did not go to Uni, but my younger brother did, and also holds UG & PG degrees.
I will say that I’m one of the most practical people I know, and have done well in my career - through hard graft. However, friends of friends through I was ‘not very bright’ when we met at a wedding a few years ago - so, go figure. 🤣

I'd think nothing at all. So what? What have they actually done after that? Like - written books? Made discoveries? Or are really good specialists in their field?