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.

10th here too, but feel really guilty I cant go with her, impossible to get the time off work, not that I will be much use that day, she seems fine about it, might travel with a friend who also has a interview, and his mum.

on a different matter dd2 is in lower 6th and will be going to uni but not oxbridge and I am as supportive of her as dd1 but she says she will never compare if dd goes to Cambridge, anyone have any advice or been in a similar position.

twoteens - DH went to Oxford, SIL to an ex-poly to do a vocational subject. She already earns more than him despite being two years younger, and has a glamorous jetset lifestyle.

It's the old Eleanor Roosevelt (? IIRC) thing about nobody's being able to make you feel inferior without your permission. Oxbridge is great if it's what you want/need, but it would be no use to a pop star or a plumber or a midwife.

DD of course is the 9th, so I'll miss all the Mumnetters wandering round Cambridge.

My ds doesn't want me to go with him. I gave him the choice of staying the night with dh's cousin, staying the night with me in a hotel or me taking him for the day. He wants to go by himself to cousins.
I would have taken time off work..I'm really jealous of all the mums wandering around Cambridge!

DS would probably prefer to go alone too, but public transport there from here is awkward, slow and expensive! So I have booked a room in a Travelodge that can be cancelled up to that day, and haven't told DS, just in case. He seems to think he's doing me a favour by 'allowing' me to come, and I will only agree to taxi him if he asks nicely and is well behaved!

mindgone I too will be staying on my own in a B&B with a good book because he wants me to take him.
I think there will be lots of lonely mums wandering around Cambridge!

Anyone fancy meeting up on the evening of 9th Dec in Cambridge for ? Or maybe & or lunch on the 10th?

What a relief - interview date has come through for the 9th.

So pleased for DD

Gosh, I had no idea anyone ever took parents, DD just got the train! That was Oxford though, and she stayed 2 nights, probably Cambridge a bit different if they don't always stay.

Horse petal, great news! :)

Yes, mine's been all over the place by train for his interviews - has had four this month, all at far ends of the country, so he's become very adept at trains and buses :)

I would secretly quite like it if he asked me to go to the Cambridge one though... but I don't think it's ever going to happen.

At last- DS has an interview on the 10th.
Cambridge is certainly going to be busy! Lunch anyone?

Fab news lismore

Great news Lismore :)

Hurrah Lismore. I'm going to Cambridge with DD as we are coming from Paris so we are building in a weekend in London and I'm going to have a nice session in Cambridge which I don't know at all, whilst DD has her interviews. Great excuse for Christmas Shopping in Blighty .

I'm being really nosey here (so feel free to tell me to butt out ) but how many of your DC's are from State V Independent school?

DD is from state and according to Oxford Admissions stats has a 35% chance of an offer now that she has been short listed (slightly higher for the Independents at 38%)

So the odds still stacked against her. I'm trying to paint a realistic picture for her without squishing her hopes (have not mentioned the stats).

Anyone else here for Oxford? Seems to be mainly Cambridge and you are all arranging to meet for coffee without me (sniff)

mindgone would have liked but we are not there on the same day as you.

HorsePetal DS goes to a not very good state school.
An interview does not mean they are going to Oxbridge either, just that they might.

State school here.
Lismore, am available for lunch on the 10th, but no idea where! Anyone else available?

Hello HorsePetal DS is at a state school. It's a grammar, most years 1 or 2 go to Oxford or Cambridge.

Secret squirrels (love the name ) I I know there is no guarantee of acceptance (infact odds still low if you look at the stats)

Good luck to you all

French state school - although we pay for the intensive English bit. I've told DD the odds, I didn't want to have to pick up the pièces after a rejection. She is not pleased and informed me that statistically children whose parents are positive about their chances of success do better . I can't win;

Oh no Hattie - it's so hard isn't it? I know that Oxbridge isn't the be all and end all but when they have their hearts set on something (anything at all) you just dread the disappointment.

From an entirely selfish points of view - Oxford would be fab for us as we live about an hour away.

Our other daughter (we have twins) is applying for Leeds and DH would be sooo proud if she got in (his old Uni) but the thought of her being so far away is killing me!

Another state school here. DS heard this week that he's got an Oxford interview. His reaction was pretty much 'meh.' (Playing it a little too cool, methinks.)

I, on the other hand, cried.

I'm so jealous of you all meeting in Cambridge for lunch, I miss it so much!

Cake - congratulations to your DS - my DD has interview for Trinity on the 9th so heading up on the 8th.

What date do you have? What subject?

Yay! Another Oxford parent