Oxbridge info/ support thread 2014

[lismore]

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.

timetraveller has he not had an email from the college to say when they are sending out decisions? Many colleges (well, a few who DDs friends have applied to) have provided a link to a list by subject showing when the interview offers have been sent out. But lots of her friends have still heard nothing.....

DD is still waiting to hear from Oxford.

She has now got offers from Bristol, Durham and Lancaster though which she is very pleased about.
Her cousin is applying for medicine for a 2nd time. He got nowhere last year and so is taking a gap year. I think he's heard he has got one interview so far.

BeckAndCall, no he hasn't heard anything other than confirmation that they received his application.
VegasIsBest, like you I've been watching the student room forum and there's just a few colleges left who haven't sent interviews out.

DS does have an interview but 'can't remember if he's replied'.

As it's a online booking form type thingy, this isn't as easy to check as you might think.

Have suggested he email to say that he has had some computer probs and is 'just checking' that it went through OK, but he now says he can't remember what meals he put on it or whether he asked to stay the night... so doesn't want to risk sending a different one. If he sent it. Which he might not have done.

I think slow strangulation is justified in this case, d'you reckon? Or handing over of interview to some hardworking child who does, you know, have a clue about his own life?

My DS is no better Lancelottie! On one hand I think, he's a big boy now, he needs to learn to organise himself, or suffer the consequences. And on the other hand I feel he still needs more help and guidance to do it! It's a tough balance. ATM I am leaving him with smaller things and giving a bit more help with bigger ones, if asked nicely! :) am glad no one ever told me it would be easy!!

Thanks, I'll tell him!

Today he couldn't find his shoes, so missed his school transport. Sighhhhhh.

Don't worry. We have lots of students with SEN around organisational issues. He would get excellent support once he's there. Oxbridge is well used to brilliant but totally disorganised people....

Might need to duck out of this thread in case he's interviewed by someone on it, given the number of expert answers.

He'll be the one in non-matching outfit with furry slippers on his feet at this rate.

A whole lot of students took their finals in pyjamas this year, as there was a security alarm and they had to leave in a hurry. So he won't be the first. Good luck.

Good guess BeckandCall , DS is indeed a hopeful medic. He's still waiting for Cambridge, but has found out he's got an interview at one of his other choices at last so has cheered up considerably!

Lismore, good news about the other interview. And with regards to Cambridge, no news is good news for now :) Fingers crossed for your DS.

Well done to your DS lismore - an interview is a good start! And no Cambridge medics have heard yet - I think the BMAT results are not out until tomorrow are they, so they'll be making their decisions after that won't they?

Medical school wise, and this is anecdotal across a group of about 10 girls in one school, I've only heard of Birmingham offering interviews so far, and Leeds have told people their ratings, but I don't think any other schools have said anything yet.....

And I really do recommend the studentroom website to keep you sane! Lets you know that everyone else is in the same position and you've not been missed off a list somewhere! (I just hope I can wean myself off it after all the results are in!)

Good luck to all who have interviews or are waiting to hear.

This time last year DD was frantically trying to prepare for her interview, and revise for January exams at the same time, at least there are no January exams this year

Everyone says that a tough / bad interview doesn't mean you won't get an offer, and we found that to be true - DD emailed me straight after her interview at first choice college (old, central) in absolute misery. She hadn't been able to answer their questions, floundered on everything, even fluffed a question about her work experience and came across as though she knew nothing about what she'd claimed on her PS to have done. Oh, and she thought one of the interviewers hated her . It sounded like an utter disaster, so we thought OK, that's not going to happen. Second interview at a newer college went better, so there was still a slim chance.

January the 11th, she got an offer from the first choice college, who'd have thought it. And she now says the interviewer doesn't hate her, which is a relief. I think some of the interviewing academics put on a stern persona at interview, It sounded like they played 'Nice Cop, Nasty Cop' with poor DD.

Be prepared for them to be much more set upon Oxbridge after they've actually stayed there. Until interview DD was all 'well it's worth a try', afterwards I know she was trying to hide how very much she wanted to go.

DS finally got an interview and is very relieved to have the letter! He is looking forward to it although very nervous. I'm already dreading waiting to get the result in January.

Time traveller - congratulations to your son. Great news :-)
When is his interview?

Great news Time Traveller. Is he staying overnight?

DS has just received his BMAT results which he's really happy with, so fingers crossed for news from his college today/ tomorrow.

Thank you Vegas. His interview is on the 10th. I hope you get some good news from Oxford.
Thanks too Lismore. He's staying with family in Cambridge. The college say they can only stay overnight if they'd have to leave before 6am! I hope you also get an interview very soon. At least once you have the date you can plan and make arrangements.

Hello, can anyone help?

DD has applied to Trinity Oxford to read Eng Lit.

She has been warned by her tutor (a former Trinity Graduate) that they (Trinity) always wait until the last minute to invite for interviews.

We've heard nothing though - no interview invitation but no rejection letter either.

Does this sound right? Wouldn't we have heard by now?

I did find a thread on The Student Room forum with a list of Oxbridge colleges that had sent out invitations and Trinity was on the list so errrr that's good isn't it?

DD remaining remarkably calm but I'm trying not to panic.

Anyone else heard back from Trinity or still waiting to hear?

Hi. From reading the student room website it looks like interview notifications are going out at different rates from different colleges. So even if other English students have heard it doesn't mean your daughter won't get an interview.

We just need to be patient! Hard work though, isn't it?

Fingers crossed for your daughter.

Thank you Vegas and good luck to you too. I hope you get the news your are waiting for x

Timetraveller, my DS's interview is on the 10th too! He is lucky to have booked accommodation in Halls, food too! I am taking him, it just works out easier. So wil have a lovely peaceful night to myself in a hotel with a good book! Might even bump into you in a coffee shop! I bet Cambridge will be overflowing with parents of teenagers!

10th is our day too!

10th here too :)

STILL no news here