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Original poster

Oxbridge info/ support thread 2014

527 replies

lismore · 18/10/2013 10:41

Does anyone else with a DC applying for Oxbridge this year feel like having someone to share the highs/ lows/ questions- if so, please join in!
I have a DS who has just applied to Cambridge- our family has no Oxbridge background and he's at a state school which gives absolutely no advice so definitely feel at a bit of a loss how to support him.
I think he's incredibly brave even trying, especially as 80% get rejected unfortunately.

OP posts:
HoratiaDrelincourt · 05/01/2014 19:15

FC for MiniBeck. Give us a hint which college and subject...?

funnyperson · 05/01/2014 19:22

How nerve racking to have to go for another interview. So much of succeeding at this this pool thing must be in the mind set. Good luck.

BeckAndCall · 05/01/2014 19:47

It's a girls college and its for a science subject Grin

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 05/01/2014 20:03

Good luck to all those in the pool - my DS was thrilled to receive an offer when he finally got home and opened his letter! So pleased for him!

Lancelottie · 05/01/2014 23:00

Three cheers for Working and best of luck to Beck's DD with her new college (the one with the spiders upthread, perhaps?).

DS has worked out that he has one less chance than our neighbour (also pooled) because she's a girl and he's a boy. He was a bit miffed about that. DD sympathetically set to work on him with the hairslides and a nice bow, but we don't think they'll be convinced.

HoratiaDrelincourt · 06/01/2014 03:24

Hurrah for SonOfWorking as well!

The all-women colleges are great, and always full of men Wink

hattymattie · 06/01/2014 08:47

Well done to those who have offers and fished for reinterview. I have to say this pool system is dire DD hasn't slept the night.

twoteens · 06/01/2014 09:12

Beck and call was that a phone call

twoteens · 06/01/2014 09:14

We are hating this too, I think me more so then DD

BeckAndCall · 06/01/2014 10:50

No, two teens it was an email. Then about an hour later she had a text to say they had sent her an email and to check her folders - just in case she'd missed it. Which I thought was nice of them.

ancientandmodern · 06/01/2014 11:15

secretscwirrels many congratulations to your son on his offer. Just wanted to say that there tends to be a lot of comment on how tough Cambridge courses are and the pressure noticed that you mentioned your son had some health issues, so was wondering if you/he were concerned that he could be overwhelmed. Obviously i don't know the circumstances, but wanted to say that my son went to Cambridge and has a severe physical disability but did very well and felt incredibly supported the college really is like a family for its students and everyone knows people's quirks and needs, so very good at helping those who need a bit of extra input. also my son's college - and I think most Cambridge colleges - have a college nurse who is very visible and who was excellent, so help readily at hand. PM me if you want more detail.

bachsingingmum · 06/01/2014 13:50

My DD was pooled much to her stress and despair (5 years ago). The pool process was not meant to start until the Monday, but she had a call from the admissions tutor of a women's college (I suspect it is the same one, Beckandcall) that they were offering her a place on the Sunday evening. We later found out that the pooling process (the paper files with all the pooled applicants forms and interview notes) was carried out in a hall in said college. The suspicion was that the college was taking a sneaky peek before it started and getting in early for their choice of candidates. The same thing happened to a number of her friends. So that bodes well for your DD. She had a wonderful time, loved the college, met loads of men, and along with most of her friends came out with a first last summer. Good luck!

BeckAndCall · 06/01/2014 14:34

Thanks for the positive story, bachsingingmum. I'm sure she'd love it there - just needs to get through the next interview!

georgettemagritte · 06/01/2014 16:02

bachsingingmum the pool actually takes place before the offer letters arrive - usually around 2-4 Jan - and no one is allowed a sneaky peek or to take applicants out early! It's just that the letters are drafted before Xmas and sent around 1 Jan which gives the impression that the pool doesn't start until after the letters arrive - when actually it's already done by then!

hattymattie · 06/01/2014 16:30

offer from Newham collegeSmile Just when we were giving up hope. I don't know
what DD is going to make of an all girls college - all her best friends are male.Hmm

Bonsoir · 06/01/2014 16:33

Brilliant news, hattiematty! Well done your DD (and you, of course!).

hattymattie · 06/01/2014 16:41

Thank you so much Bonsoir and Bachsinging I just read your post - really positive.Smile

twoteens · 06/01/2014 17:00

well done hatty mattie, for your DD, we havnt heard anything yet, DD is fine with it and going on about the virtues of the Leeds night life. offer from there already, am proud she got this far.

Timetraveller · 06/01/2014 17:05

Well done Workingitout and Hattie, also to those pooled and still waiting.

No letter again for DS today. He emailed the college and was told letters had gone out on Friday so he would hear soon! They said to phone if it didn't arrive tomorrow. So another day of anxiously going to and from the door looking for the post Sad I just hope it's good news after all this!

Has anyone else not heard anything?

Timetraveller · 06/01/2014 17:07

Sorry, crossed posts twoteens. So DS isn't the only one!

Your DD sounds more laid back about it though.

HoratiaDrelincourt · 06/01/2014 17:11

hatty Newnham is beautiful, with a really good activities/social life. Good location, lovely grounds, big rooms don't mention the elephantine spiders.

As for sex balance, I found that most people socialise equally between college friends and course friends - who will obviously include men. Is she into sport/drama/music or similar?

Newnham used to win mixed netball every year because they had to import men (min. 2 on court at any point) and borrowed the varsity basketball team!! Grin

twoteens · 06/01/2014 17:15

Time traveller she has heard she has been pooled, but heard nothing back today, has your ds checked his emails that's how dd found out on Sat,

Timetraveller · 06/01/2014 17:29

twoteens he's been checking constantly! DH works with someone who's DS has applied to the same college and he's heard nothing either.

It took them ages to send out the interview letters too.

secretscwirrels · 06/01/2014 17:55

Oh Timetraveller it's very tough having to wait longer than anyone else. I remember from what you said upthread that your DS was one of the last to hear. At least it's not just him.
Well done to the others who have had offers, and still keeping fingers crossed for the poolees Smile.
Interesting the idea of single sex college. DS best friends are girls, he gets on much better with girls and would miss their friendship if there was an all male college.

hattymattie · 06/01/2014 18:30

Thanks Horatia she's very happy now she's googled the location (and out that Emma Thompson was there).

Fingers crossed for those who are still swimming - I think that's one of the most nerve wracking things I've ever been through.

Time - can the college not e-mail a copy of the letter to him.