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?

ah, ok

I will rephrase - English isn't your first language, is it?

just asking...

Ponders - you remember the black eye!!! Of course now DS won't look at his TSA score as he is sure he only has an interview because of his black eye!!

magic -according to bumph we've received the volunteer students have no imput whatsoever - that was made completely plain!!

Do you know what? I don't think I have the slightest amount of influence over 'my kid' and he will do exactly as he sees fit. Imo he either gets in being himself or he doesn't - end of!!

betelgeuse your son did really really well to get in to one of the most competitive courses at one of the most competitive universities. Congratulations. Actually its pretty obvious English isn't your first language but who cares?
The issue is that your son got in with his red jumper and all- he must have interviewed well. Incidentally many years ago my secretary at work's son was offered a place at Oxford- they were first generation immigrants and it was really great but very funny when they came back from dropping him off on his first day and complained that the room was a 'bit old'. If a child is bright and intelligent and motivated and achieves highly then they deserve a place I say, though of course it isn't in my hands and I did hear rumours that if one offered a substantial endowment the chances of getting an offer were dramatically increased......
Anyway I am trying to keep on an even keel here as DD is by no means guaranteed an offer or even a place as even though I might think she deserves one I am not the admissions tutor.
DD has never played pool and might think it sounds like fun- tricky but thanks for the tip- any other tips such as how to get a second interview?

If DD gets in then I am hoping she will love all the formal side of Oxford and the social side- in a way thats part of the reason for her applying there. Only part though.

optimistic mama what bumpf did you get?

Some years ago a very good friend with a very bright hardworking high achieving son had this story to tell: He was called for interview, went in his country (ie nice wool jacket and cords) suit and was asked at length whether he would row for Wales or England ( his school team had just won at Henley). As he had 10 A stars all A at As, great predictions a super reference and had applied for one of the easier to get into subjects with a 1 in 3 chance of getting in he thought he had nailed it. He was rejected. His mum was gutted. So thats cheered us all up now- any more success stories please?

I have a terror that because DD goes to a top academic school her top academic grades wont be good enough....does this make sense...help... reassurance and calming needed.....

DD1 went to a top academic school and was predicted top academic grades....she didn't get in the first time round, but non plussed tried again post A level with a shock horror B grade for one of her 4 A levels. She did however by then have a distinction in some extension paper for english (sorry about vagueness, I didn't even know she was sitting it until she asked if there was any chance of a lift to school for an exam not entered in my diary) which she thinks might have helped.

So your DD's top academic grades will be enough I am sure if she is able to manouevre and skip through the hurdles en route. That bit unfortunately does seem to have an elemnt of luck attached to it.

ponders, since my DS is by turns scathing of, and embarrassed by, the fact that I occasionally contribute to internet forums I don't plan to tell him that he might come across a fellow PPE interviewee whose mum is a mumsnetter!

There will be time for that, maybe if they are both very lucky.

Have just read beanlets helpful post...also noticed on TSR that the number of times a thread is viewed far exceeds the number of posts on that thread. This will probably be the same for this thread. I have to keep reminding myself that posting is not simply a conversation between me and my computer. So...insiders all.... do admissions tutors check candidates facebook photos?
Incidentally the reason I post here is to help me keep my distance from whatever DD is doing- sanity and peer support for grownups if you like. Not rhetorical.

betelguese if your son is at Oxford why would he read the Cambridge exam regulations?

All things being equal, the ones who are popular and outgoing will be the ones chosen.

Considers rather introverted teenage DS.

Well I don't know magic but all this is way beyond my little brain! I'm just pleased my DS has a chance to 'have a go' and he has other offers he is keen on if not.....We are trying v. hard to be fatalistic about it as what else can you do ...
Funny - with DS's email came a 10 page info pack which was v. reassuring tbh. It outlined what was going to happen etc etc. What is your DD applying for?

Optimisticmama DD is applying to read Experimental Psychology at Wadham. She is outgoing and sociable and attractive-school has just posted a nice picture of her on its website and she has been featured in its prospectus/ads. However if I asked her to make sure that she was outgoing and sociable in the JCR this would probably cause a freeze so I wont mention it to her.
Magic- if a first interview doesn't go well because of nerves could DD tell a helper and would it make any difference do you think? Just asking as this happened to DS.

?????How is this relevant betelguese? Am I going potty here? I don't get the point. Who failed exams in June?

However- though this is not relevant to this thread- all undergraduate courses and universities have exam regulations and course regulations. As a matter of fact I printed off a set for DS before he went to uni. He says that wasn't necessary as all the regs are online anyway. He and his friends are pleasingly on the ball in respect of handing stuff in etc and he has taken to it like a duck to water. Staying till 11 pm in the uni library when essays are due in seems to be as much an accepted part of student life these days as the socialising. Or so he says quite proudly actually. He likes the independence and appears to be a responsible decent sort.

Betelguese (and others if interested) - each university has its own regulations around re-sits, progression to the next year and how marks add to to give the final classification. However most are pretty similar, although IME the pre-92 institutions tend to be more rigorous in what marks are needed for a 1st for example.

my DH is an admissions tutor for one of the colleges. He has been doing this for over 10 years. He does not have a facebook account (neither do I) he does not look at facebook ever. He is a luddite and does not want or need any extra information about who he interviews.

He has never ever asked current students who volunteer what they think of applicants. He doesn't care what the current students think, at least not unless its on their supervision topic, dissertation etc , he cares what the person he is interviewing thinks and can articulate during the interview.