Parent of oxbridge candidate-peersupportneeded

[funnyperson]

OK so my DD is applying to Oxford for entry in 2011 and has a 75% chance of getting rejected so I am told by the Oxford website so I reckon a new thread would be helpful for us parents who may end up with joy or grief but in any event need to keep sane enough to support our loved ones. Any tips on maximising chances of success at this stage?

Gosh, that's bad betelguese! I didn't watch the clip, I'm on a laptop that has sound problems this week so not really worth it Anyway, I'm not sure it's relevant to me; I don't even have DC, I've just applied to Oxford myself for my postgrad so I'm just lurking around here because I think my uni friends are getting tired of my Oxford stress!

Do you think? I was planning on a PhD but I thought I'd probably have a break first. But there's far more funding available if I promise to do a PhD right after so I will think about it!

Have applied for Anthropology :) Ridiculously excited about the whole thing, considering I haven't even got in yet.

I must say I'm a bit jealous of all your DCs finding out if they've been accepted sooner rather than later - I have to wait until March!

Sorry for the hiijack, ladies!

don't worry about hijacking kitty - this is the place for Oxford angst!

Help: I am feeling a bit nervous.
I had done some work as in my job, ( a lot of work actually:)
also some housework
(cleaned cupboards cleaned fridge cleaned microwave cleaned and polished kitchen worktops polished kettle) in prep for DS birthday lunch on Sunday, had sorted travel plans for Sunday, going up to Wadham with DD, (feeling ever so proud as i say that) and was drinking a well earned cup of tea and idly debating with myself whether to try Betelguese's interesting sounding Japanese restaurant in Holywell, Oxford before coming back home when I went on the TSR website.
Someone has posted that decisions will come out on the 18th December. Is this true?
Has anyone's child had more than two interviews yet?

Have I overdone Sunday do you think? It will be birthday brunch for DS followed by taking DD to play in jazz band at elderly peoples tea party at her school followed by picking her up an hour later and going straight to Oxford.
Everything hinges on her having packed on Saturday.

I looked on TSR at the decisions thread from last year, funnyp, & some were made before Christmas; but then there appeared to be a hiatus until about the second week of January.

Surely decisions on next week's interviewees will be made after this week's! It's more likely to be from the 18th.

I'll see if I can link it for you

The first one is some way down \link{http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1052462&highlight=ucas+decisions+2009-2010&page=37\this page} for Classics at Merton, & it was on the 18th.

The last one posted was on the 23rd, then Cambridge start up again on Jan 6th I think, but Oxford not until the 12th (but of course this is only the people who bothered to post on that thread).

Oh, and no, I don't think you've overdone Sunday - good way to keep all your minds off her interview!

DD1 just back from Oxford today. She says she thought ALL Oxford decisions were out by Christmas. But clearly that doesn't agree with the TSA link. She also said that her tutor had mentioned that the decisions for each subject are made immediately after or very soon after the interviews for that subject are finished. The subjects attracting bigger entries - eg PPE and English are interviewed first and the those attracting less entrants/having less places are nearer the end of the process. might the January ones be for non undergrad courses/ re-offers? Will go look

And fuunyp, I'm with Ponders - sounds a very nice Sunday to me. From what you've said about DD I'm sure she'll take everything in her stride, and she's got Sunday evening to chill out anyway. If it's you you're worried about you could always just se DD safely on the train and go to the pub....

That was what DS2 heard while he was there too, fififi - that they'd all hear by Christmas - so not long to wait!

Riven (haven't read whole thread so sorry if you've already covered this but) only 5 GCSEs? What and no A levels or anything higher than GCSE at all?

Postgrad offers for the first wave (if you applied before November) are due out in January so it could be that.

That sounds like a lovely Sunday, funnyperson :)

Thank you Ponders and Betelgeuse and kitty two shoes and fififi I am looking forward to Sunday - will be spending Saturday organising and stuff.

So glad that DS is safe and sound and all module essays submitted today and on time. He got kettled yesterday and risked his life and limb and university place in the process and although I didnt say so to him I am furious because he hadnt handed in his essay before he went on the demo and what is the point of going on a demo about fees when he hadnt yet finished his work for the excellent uni place he already has at the lower cost. Luckily for him it turned out he had done it before he went just had to print it off and hand it in with the cover sheet. The problem is they have read about students in the sixties going on demos and think demos are innocent and fun. He had a rude awakening yesterday and quite honestly I hope it has put him off for life.

Fifi and others what support have the DC needed post interview? I am thinking hot chocolate and films and Christmas tree.

I dont support the rise btw just think the parliamentary process for a matter this important should have been more robust with a white paper and debate discussion and detail and consultation.

Betelguese I have just registered your son only had to wait four days. He must have been really good and his college really well organised. Wow.
No gap yahs for our lot though, thats for sure.

at kettling. I think the police are so mortified about the Millbank episode they are making up for it (bastards)(sorry) Glad your DS & his essay are OK

oh yes, betelguese is right, the Turf Tavern is amazing - very old, very low, very dark, very Shakespearian, up a tiny narrow little alleyway next to some college or other & round the corner from some library or other (we had a random day out in Oxford in the summer & it's so packed with historic stuff I went cross-eyed trying to keep it straight in my head) but is v v small & in winter the outside space not much use as overspill so you may not be able to squeeze in. Good beer though.

DS2 hasn't needed any support - he's been much more cheerful since than before! He was seriously taken aback at the attitudes of some of the rah boys (did a lot of eye-rolling at some of their pronouncements apparently, but had to do it to the wall!) & now says he's not sure he even wants to go there if they'll be in a majority so he won't care if he doesn't get an offer, which is relaxing

If he does we'll discuss it further...

Where is all the Cambridge angst? Or are the mums /dads just not anxious? My nephew had his physics interview at Cambridge today. He had to take a test today instead of beforehand like the Oxford lot. My sister is very laid back about the whole thing. I do think the Oxford test timing is better though.

Ponders thanks for your post. I wont go to a pub though the Turf sounds really amazing. It feels a bit like tempting fate. DD is under age still.

If DC get in we could all meet up at the Turf though??????

Ponders - I would so like our DSs to meet. DS just the same - held his own and hasn't needed any TLC at all but I'm guessing that's boys for you!! He's currently at the pub with his mates having just got an offer from Warwick which of course he's now not really interested in !
Funny - I do think DDs are a different kettle of fish and I'm not apologising for blatant gender stereotyping! I know my DD would be completely different but I wouldn't overthink it if I were you, your Sunday sounds great - normal life has to go on.

As far as letters are concerned I know people didn't hear until Xmas Eve last year but it was all done from Oxford by Xmas!

As far as this thread is concerned - I'm sure we are all the same in that the title attracted us and when a lot of us had DC who were doing the same or similar courses felt compelled to post.
Am sure there's loads of Cambridge angst but they heard about interviews weeks ago...

Hope all goes well for DD Funny

oh I would too, om The only other uni they have in common (so far) is York - DS2 is still planning to apply to a 5th but still hasn't decided which (possibly Warwick...)

funnyp, under-18s are allowed in pubs (& can even drink things like cider iirc, but if not then fruit juice or something) - the Turf is worth a visit even if you don't have a drink there.

Anyway, whoever does get in to Ox can have a meet-up on dropping-off day next October

(Wondering now about how iwastooearly's DD managed with getting over from Spain & with her interview...)

Ponders - Warwick wanted A* AA and then I think a B at AS or a C in 4th subject!!
The great thing is that if they do get Oxford it will be AAA if they keep to their promise which compared to Warwick is low!

Ooh Hello, DS has offer from York too Ponders and OM but hasn't heard from anyone else yet . When did the Warwick offer come through OM? That would certainly be DS's choice after Oxford and he took a risk turning them down post results...

And funnyp, my DS is a bit like Ponders/OM's DSs. He was pleased I think to get through the TSA hurdle but really can't call how his interview went and doesn't seem too bothered. If the odds are 1 in 4 even having whittled down to interview stage it's anyones game isn't it? He seems to want beer, X Box 360 in place of your suggestion of hot chocolate and films but has been roped in to come and heave a Christmas tree into the boot of the car tomorrow...