Dd told she should be thinking Oxbridge

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Dd y12 was invited to attend the applying for Oxbridge chat yesterday at school.
She was a little bemused as she isn't really sure of just how good she is but went along anyway and is open minded to the idea.
She is still unsure about what she would study at any uni. Her A2s are Maths, Further Maths, History and Economics predicted at least A in them all probably a couple of A*
So why should she consider Oxbridge as a serious option?

the criteria are so odd for those lists - 'best' university varies hugely between subjects and yes habbibu anglocentric - although that one less than some

And having read the comments I see dh wasn't alone!

Just wanted to say - she shouldn't feel like she has to go for Oxbridge if it's not the right thing for her. I was advised to apply by my Latin tutor, but went in completely the opposite direction and now work as a full-time actor. Far away from my supposed "potential", but I wouldn't have been happy doing some high-flying career.

Of course, if that's what she wants to do, then go for it!

Habbibu - Yes agree. I did say I'm not sure how they've managed to measure. It is an english speaking publication in all fairness, for English spekaing consumption presuambly? Perhaps there's a Russian version that puts the University of Sakhalin ahead of Cambridge and Harvard?

To answer OP! I think I agree with Teeny - if your dd has a look at Oxford or Cambridge, looks at the colleges, the courses, the cities and thinks they appeal, then she should certainly apply, but they aren't the be-all and end-all for everyone, and just because you're clever doesn't mean you have to apply either.

Do they still have that rule where you can't apply to both in the same year? I did find that annoying.

I think if you come from a state school and you are clever you have a responsibility to apply actually. I keep meaning to write to the Sutton Trust and suggest bright state school students get a 6th UCAS choice in order to apply for Oxford or Cambridge.

Yes, it is silly that you must apply to one or the other. It's a bit vainglorious. And the applying to specific colleges is pathetic and rather off putting to peole who have no idea why they've applied to St John's College other than liking the bridge of sighs.

My DS1 is convinced he is going to Cambridge to study maths.

He is 10.

I see what you mean, Swedes - but would you say that the same students would also have a responsibility to take up a place if offered, or would normalising applications from state schools be sufficient?

Wilf - Your DS1 and my DS2 might overlap by a year or so.

I really should start saving a bit more...

I agree with Grendelsmum. When I was at Cambridge, the Maths students stood out as being hair-raisingly bright and passionate about their subject. Those that weren't ended up switching courses. Frequently to the (rather easier) one I was doing . Those that stayed the course for the whole three years became increasingly hard for us lesser mortals to understand!

So if it's Maths she's interested in, she needs to be sure that she's really, really, really keen on it. If so, Cambridge is the place for it and it's an amazing, intense, fun place to study. And yes, rightly or wrongly, I have found that my Cambridge degree still attracts an extra spark of interest from employers.

But she needs to have a good, hard think about what kind of place she really wants to study in. I gather UCL is now outranking Oxford on some league table or other and there are plenty of UK universities that will give her a really good experience. Not to mention the US. Above all, she shouldn't just go with the flow because her teachers are keen to notch up an Oxbridge place on their statistics!

Also it's really, really cold on the Fens in winter. It's the only place I've experienced freezing fog so bad that it made my hair go solid .

Why thankyou swedes How very perceptive you must be.

We got told at parents evening a few weeks back that DS yr9 was Oxbridge materialfor science and told to start preparing now. Ie plenty of extra curricular clubs and summer schools, anything that shows a long term interest.
From what we were told there are so many pupils now with As and A*s that applicants need to show that something extra.

Poor old DS hasn't even chosen his GSCE options yet!

if you know anyone who's in Oxbridge at the moment, you could do what I did and go visit them. I was struck by the normality of the students, except for the fact that they were utterly unembarrassed about being passionate about (a) their subject and (b) life in general. After being with a load of kids at school where you got bullied if you weren't totally apathetic about anything academic (while secretly getting all As on the side of course ) it was incredibly refreshing.

I had a lovely time. Fully made use of all the facilities (including the two boys for every girl they had in those days ). Made friends for life - was allowed to be myself for the first time. Hard work, I guess, but I always worked hard - and still do when I'm not being a lazy fecker!!

well i went to oxford and it didn't do me much good!

joking of course

well done to your dd and you.

Haven't read the whole thread so apologies if this has been covered.

I was at oxbridge as a postgrad and I'd say she should apply. She doesn't have to go, even if she gets in. But get some advice from someone who went there on the process. For instance, some colleges have a lot more applicants than others, so your chances of getting in are smaller at popular ones. Saying that, if she does well at the interview but doesn't get into the one she picks, her application may be passed on to other colleges.

Predicted grades are not enough to get you in- all the applicants have A's. Apply, but tell her not to set her heart on it. The odds are against most people. But she should give it a shot. Why not her? And even just going for a visit is a good experience

One thing tutors are looking for is a genuine interest in the subject. They are bound to ask why she wants to do it. And why she picked their college.

Oxbridge is cheaper, and it does open doors. But it isn't for everyone. And there are lots of great Uni's. I loved my undergrad but would have totally sunk at Oxbridge.

Haven't time to read the whole thread but well done to your dd for even being considered. I'd suggest that she applies if she wants to and likes it. And ask around (on here if necessary) about colleges.

Would she consider philosophy and maths at oxford? More state school students (IME, although I haven't checked the stats) than either maths or other philosophy subjects. She would get in with her A levels.

One other thought- have a look at the Sutton Trust who run week long summer schools. It's a great programme and probably a fab introduction to Oxbridge life. Probably helps with the interview too. It's a charity so I don't think they charge.

I went to Cambridge from a state comprehensive. Agree with Smithagain that I couldn't understand anything the mathematicians said to me after the first term (and I did Further Maths A level too).

I think the OP's DD needs to try to unpack what is different about Oxbridge (and possibly Durham and others I'm not that well informed). The college system means you essentially live and study in a small community which is very supportive and has a strong identity. The accommodation is generally very good and central which actually removes a lot of stress re: freezing shared houses in Zone 5. The teaching style (IME) involves one-to-one or one-to-two supervisions with the lecturer or a postgrad, as opposed to a whole class tutorial with a lecturer hanging around in case anyone has a question, this amazed me when I did my MSc in London. The expecations and the opportunities will both be very high.

In terms of college life, you wouldn't know what school most people went to. I would say aim for the colleges you like best, if it appeals at all, you will get pooled somewhere else if you miss the first choice so just as likely to get a place at the University.

It's definitely worth an open day, one to a college, one to the Maths department. Do ask, can I see myself here for 3 years. Don't ask, am I good enough to get in? The difference with private schools is that they assume they are.

BTW Oxford really wants more state school applicants. Often it is difficult to choose them in admissions because so few have applied. (Or, at least, many colleges want good state school applicants; it may not be true for all.)

Maths History and Economics makes a good base for an economics degree.

I read economics at Cambridge from a state school. It does open doors for you, for quite a long time afterwards. I say she should have a look and apply if she thinks she will like it there.

I was heavily urged towards applying for Oxbridge when I was at school, as I was set on going to Durham because I believed the culture suited me. I was very cynical about the school's agenda, as every year they would proudly tell the papers how many pupils were heading for Oxbridge and I think they just wanted to up their quota. I am SO GLAD I didn't go to Oxbridge, I loved Durham so much for so many reasons. Get your daughter to meet some present students at Oxbridge and other top-notch unis, and visit as many as possible to be able to make the decision for herself. There's so much to take into consideration and I doubt very much whether it matters whether you're at Oxbridge or Durham, Bristol etc when you're applying for job posts in the future.

If OP's DD was interested in an economics degree she woud find that it has one of the highest number of applicants per place of any subject at Cambridge - and you can't do Economics single honours at Oxford (only combined as in PPE and a couple of other courses).

Swedes, I don't see the point in having a 6th UCAS place. Not everybody wants to go to Oxford or Cambridge, and what is the point of complicating the system by getting people who have no commitment to going to apply?

I didn't want to go to them, and I wouldn't want my children to go to them (although it is not my choice, obviously). There are lots of other universities that can bright, state school children can thrive at.

Why bother taking a place away from some other candidate who might really want to go?

Otter, I did say that Peterhouse was grim for non-posh kids twenty years ago No doubt the colleges have changed loads.

BTW I've heard from recent students that economics at Cambridge is very heavily maths based these days and not at all what it used to be. Joan Robinson would be spinning in her grave (can you tell I'm a Girton girl m'self ).