what year to attend oxford open days

[sassysally]

DS lives and breathes physics and definitely has only ever wanted to do this a t uni.He is considering applying to Oxford.
Now as I understand it they have to apply for oxbridge very early in Y13 and sit the aptitude test soon after.Most of the kids seem to have tuition before, so i am thinking would it be beter to look round an open day at the end of Y11 rather than y12 to see if it is something he wants?

I personally wouldn't take a year 11 to a uni open day as there are enough people there with the year 12s without adding more! The end of year 12 is plenty of time as by then GCSEs are in the bag and your DS will have an idea what he is capable of achieving at AS.

There are also subject days and events at Oxford throughout the year so your DS may get an opportunity to attend one of those in year 12.

I disagree. They'd be happy to see him earlier. I would email their schools outreach bods this is the physics outrech page for schools about events both in oxfrord and in your home town.

Also make sure you look at the Uniq summer school here

Ask the Oxford admissions team. Oxbridge admissions are much earlier than everyone else.

Their summer open days will be targeted at Y12, but yy there are lots of events for younger pupils, usually called "Access" programmes. Contact the relevant departments for guidance. There may also be a college who has links with your region (eg my college targeted it Access programmes in the NE and Yorkshire) for that side of things. Could you give us a vague location and subject areas?

Does he know how Oxbridge works? It's unlike most university systems and doesn't suit all learning styles or personalities.

Realistically, unless he has mitigating factors, he needs to get all A at GCSE, and preferably all A*, because everyone he is competing with will have those results. Are his predictions that good? Once he's bounced through his GCSEs is the time to look ahead to Oxbridge. In the meantime he must get his head down even if he thinks it's all easy.

Good luck to him!

I assumed the OP's DS is year 11 and in the middle of GCSEs that's why I referred to events in year 12. Not that she actually said that anywhere!

The Oxford University website has details on what events are held for which year groups. This is the best place to look for advice! There was an options day for year 11 but that has now closed. There are lots of other subject days and open days for year 12. I would do as many as you see fit and remember choosing a college is an art in itself! Two colleges host days for FE and 6th form college students and there are nationwide events as well as those in Oxford. Book early though as they are all very busy. You cannot just roll up!

That's the page I linked to above. Have a click. OP.