Oxbridge again

[ucasfracas]

I know there are threads on this but difficult to trawl through them to get the information I would like.

Anyone who has or knows of DCs who got offers,

What grades GCSE did they have?

What was the offer?

What was the subject?

Did they have to sit a 'special' exam as well and how much did this affect the outcome.

Answers to any/some of these would be gratefully received.

you mean AAA in A levels? you did not read the small print on the website!

What small print? By the way she is strong on Drama.

Yellowstone, how many DCs do you have? - Impressed and nosey at the same time.

I think DC would go for Oxbridge if the school gave more encouragement. DC thinks my opinion is biased in her favour - well why shouldn't it be?

ucas I've got eight and I'd be the first to warn DS2 (just done GCSE's)that he'd hate Oxford because of the demands of work and would be much happier elsewhere.

If part of your DD is actually keen, then I'd say definitely do go ahead and apply. I thought you meant she really wasn't keen at all. Bugger the school.

Myself, for the DDs, I'd prefer the terms were longer, but plenty of students thrive on the intensity of it all.

Yes, agree, go for an application.

Yellowstone - eight, amazing!

Betelguese - she does have some points for Drama, plays an instrument but only to Grade 5.

I just think she should give it a go...

There are certainly good arguments for giving it a go ucas. I suppose it comes down to whether she might be devastated by a rejection or if she's the type who might always regret trying if she doesn't. I think Oxford in particular do tend to let their applicants fall in love with the place at interview, so rejection does come quite hard.

regret not trying, I meant to say.

ucas I don't know if this is possible for you, but could you get your DD to Oxford or Cambridge this w/e (whichever one she'd be more likely to apply to) and have a good wander around? That may make all the difference. This coming w/e is a good one to go, for Oxford at least - all the freshers are starting to arrive, so all the colleges are open and you don't need to ask for special permission, you'll just blend in.

Good advice- DD said yesterday that she was motivated by a visit 6 years ago-she says that was when she decided she would work really hard to get there as it would be worth it. I don't know about the 'blending in' though - if anyone sees a family that don't appear to fit in, that'll be us arriving.

Completely digging her heels in I'm afraid. She has visited both towns although not really from a prospective University sort of way.

Just wanted to say thanks for all your help, hope it is useful to somebody else. She has looked at the websites etc but is still refusing to consider either. Pushing encouraging her into doing things never works I'm afraid. Just have to sit back and watch

funnyperson, it will be us, and we live here Nobody fits in at Oxford. There is no one-size hole to fit in. That's the beauty of it.

Ucas, just give it a go. No harm EVER in trying. Your dd can always withdraw later; maybe say this to her? What's her objection? All university websites are offputting, I think.

ucasfracas - have been reading your posts with interest. I think you are right just to sit back and watch - if she says she doesn't want to go, then trying to push (even strongly encourage) her would be the wrong thing.

I graduated from Cambridge in 2009, in English, and nobody could put up with eight weeks of non-stop essays, libraries, lectures, tutorials, seminars, ridiculous middle English translations etc etc etc (insert whatever the subject's quirks are), in such a pressure cooker, without loving the idea of Oxbridge. All you do is work, sleep and drink and by the end of the eight weeks you're exhausted. It's fun, if it's what you signed up for willingly. If you didn't, you'll hate it.

Just my two pence.

Thanks Cubicsrube, I pinned her down a bit today, that is the sum of it really, she is really not sold on her subject to that extent or to the Oxbridge idea. So I will sit back and shut up.

Funnyperson all the best to your DD, hope she loves it, the DD of an old schoolfriend graduated recently and seemed to love the experience.

bother, did informative and readable post which got lost as pressed wrong key.

Thanks ucasfracas

we we we are so excited we are so excited

DD sometimes thinks it is all a mistake and they offered her someone else's place. At these points I remind her of the intelligent things she did without expensive tuition.

The Oxford Opportunity bursary notification has arrived, and an exciting freshers pack (did I mention we are excited?) with Oxford Union , Oxford ski trip, RAG ball, loads of societies details in. Thank goodness DD learned to make choices and manage her time at her excellent school. Even so, it is clear she will be busy.

The very reasonable silk and chiffon beautifully made to measure ball gown ordered from a website in China arrived with a train which we spent a very pleasant afternoon cutting off and converting into a bolero (free pattern from the internet). It is the first time DD has sewed since kindergarten.
A pretty royal blue dress with this season's Kate Middleton lace neckline and long lace sleeves arrived from asos: £36 with discount code. Perfect for formals.
The reading list has now all arrived from Amazon, again with a discount using her elder brother's NUS card.
The blanket, plates mugs and duvet cover are all homey to remind her of home so she doesn't feel too homesick. Not too much new stuff.

DS is becoming familiar with Bloomsbury and DD will get to know Oxford and I hope that they will both learn loads about their subject, and the techniques of assimilating analysing and condensing knowledge, I hope they will develop their sense of curiosity , make some good friends for life and extend their horizons. I hope they will be as happy as I was when a student. They are, as they say, on the threshold of a new era.

Did I mention that DD was excited?

Did I mention that a black gown with wings for sleeves arrived, with a skirt and blouse which came out of the ark? We had to get plain sensible black shoes. DD flew round the room for a bit and then went and booked her hair to be dyed at Vidal Sassoon model school. And she is going to buy those goth nu rock boots. She is going to audition in them for the play which her new Oxford 'drama parent' has written !

Ucasfracas I think they need to be really keen on the Oxbridge idea to put in the extra work of preparing for the Oxford Maths exam or STEP for Cambridge. If it was just a case of using up a choice on the UCAS form and maybe getting an interview then I think its worth having a go even if not fully convinced. Is your DD having doubts about Maths or just the Oxbridge application?

funnyperson I hope your DD has a fabulous time!