Oxbridge Entry 2015

[Roisin]

Do we have a thread already?
ds1 has decided to definitely apply to Oxford to do Biochemistry. He will probably apply to St John's.

She has applied to do physics - well MPhys.

She has applied for Oxford but sees that to one side, her first choice I think would be Imperial, and actually their offer (should one come) will be higher than Oxford. Then Edinburgh, Newcastle and Bristol.

She has this week had an offer from Newcastle, they initially offered AAA. Then the next day they came back with a sweetener, if she puts them as a firm choice, if she meets the requirements they will give her £2400 a year. They did also say if she puts them as her firm choice and gets AAB, they will give her half that money. But that's lower than their requirements, all a bit

Newcastle don't know about Imperial or Oxford do they? They don't see where else kids apply do they? She of course is very flattered, but hasn't actually visited Newcastle yet.

Imperial are notoriously late to give offers, and she has to do an extra exam for Oxford which is on Nov 5th. So we are just waiting!

Her friend has been offered an unconditional offer from Birmingham too, on condition she puts it as her firm choice, otherwise it is AAB, bio chem I think. Big decisions to be made.

Friend of dd's applied for Physics last year - didn't get into Oxford, but Nottingham made her an unconditional offer, and if she firmed them and got AAA they would give her £3K/year. So that cheered her up! She got her grades and has just started :) It seems to be a bit of a thing atm. The friend's mum told me Birmingham started it!

Certainly cheered DD - suddenly Newcastle her favourite!

I know someone whose dd had an unconditional offer for History at Birmingham & has just started. Must be a great relief for those who get one especially if they really like the uni

DS's best mate just got his first offer - AAB for PPE at Manchester. He's applied to Oxford too but at least he's got something else to fall back on. Hope DS gets one soon too, I can't bear all this waiting!

Roisin, that is a bit of my worry too, but she really wants to go to Cambridge, she is applying for Anglo-Saxon,Norse and Celtic so unique to them, and that is her main passion. I am hoping that will keep her in line.

DD's friend just got an offer from Bath. The offer is exactly as stated on their website for that subject.

DS's mate got a Bristol offer yesterday, again standard @ A*AA.

My DD and her best mate got offers from Bristol too yesterday. Don't know about friend, but DD's was AAA

DD was working on a practice Oxford physics exam paper last night. Question started

Take one standard dalek....

And ended:

Explain why you have 12 seconds left to live

My 14 year old came in while I was reading that, so I showed him. He nodded approvingly: "Sick"

I expect you have seen this as well...
i100.independent.co.uk/article/could-you-get-into-oxford-university-prove-it--ekeWvRhXIg

Also.. In 2014, there were only 3,200 undergraduates places competed by 17,200 applicants. It is a bit like gambling!
www.myinterestingfacts.com/oxford-university-facts/

Here is a useful discusion on how the questions are designed so that the inverviewer can see how the applicant thinks.

I've only just discovered this thread! Please can I join in?

DS applying to do maths and statistics at Oxford for 2015. Form went in 3 weeks ago. No offers yet.

Also applying to UCL, KIngs, Bristol, Cardiff.

The thread is open - welcome, Quenna!

What did your DS like about Bristol and Cardiff? These are on DDs shortlist too, she still has three choices to add.

We haven't actually been to Bristol yet! He is very keen to go to a 'city' rather than a campus. (We live in a very rural area). He liked Exeter but didn't put it down as it was 'too much country side'. He is very taken with the idea of living in London, hence the two london colleges.

He loved Cardiff, said it had a really good vibe, fun, busy, great city (sport, music, shops). Really welcoming atmosphere on the open day. Everyone really friendly. I think it has a 'capital city' feel.

That makes Cardiff sound a good place to live. Definitely on her short-list of about six other places and highly recommended by her school.

London would be a great place to live, although at the moment I would prefer my DCs to go to somewhere that is a bit smaller, and hence to get arround. Travel times must be long for London universities. And elsewhere would be less expensive in general.

Of coure, the department's ranking is important too!

My eldest daughter is at Bristol University. They get a free bus pass with the accommodation, so can travel anywhere in the city.

So exciting to see offers rolling it.

Fantastically well done to your dd, welshpixie - two unconditionals, wow!

Ds has got his first offer - yippee - from York. Finally feel like it is all happening now.

Congrats to your ds Raidne. York do seem to be particularly efficient at getting their offers out. Wish we would hear from somewhere else!

Thank you for the congratulations, but to bring it down to earth I have just heard "where are the plasters mum?". She has cut her leg while shaving, the bathroom looks like there was a massacre in there. Wouldn't mind so much but the plasters are in the bathroom!!!!

Well done you ds Raidne. What's the course?

Chemistry, Roisin.