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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Oxbridge Entry 2015

999 replies

Roisin · 01/09/2014 17:45

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.

OP posts:
AllMimsyWereTheBorogoves · 18/10/2014 18:08

You'll all have seen this, no doubt? Gives a very good insight into how the Cambridge admissions process works.

isabellaDWJ · 18/10/2014 19:14

Hi Roisin,
A friend's DS did Biochemistry at Oxford and at St John's and from what I can tell he absolutely loved it. From my days at St Anne's, I remember that John's is really beautiful and has the distinction of having the the quietest open court in a city centre.

Any Cambridge mums out there? DD is applying to Clare and I'm definitely feeling the nerves. Thanks for the interview notes all. Anyone know any good ways of helping DD is prepare?

welshpixie · 18/10/2014 21:17

Mimsy - thanks for the link I hadn't seen it before, very interesting, I will get DD to read it.
Raidne - congrats to your DS

Molio · 18/10/2014 22:05

What subject Isabella? My cousin was at Clare and read lots of different subjects - not quite sure how he managed it, but apparently it was all legit :)

Pumpkin14 · 19/10/2014 00:37

Hello! Interesting to see this thread here. DD just applied to Cambridge. Very scary experience, and it's nice to share it with you all.

isabellaDWJ · 19/10/2014 11:29

Hi Molio, She's applying for MML. And maybe your cousin did it via the tripos structure? And yes Pumpkin14 scary! Does anyone have any advice on interview prep? DD's school organises one, but I don't want her to feel underprepared and don't really know how to go about helping her.

Pumpkin14 · 19/10/2014 11:49

Hi Isabella, Clare is supposed to be really good. Mine applying to St John's, and just sent her SAQ in. Not much support from school for interviews unfortunately. Does anyone know when the interviews might be?

Raidne · 19/10/2014 12:21

Wow, everyone else sounds so organised with their knowledge of Colleges etc!!!

Ds made a very last minute decision to apply to Oxford (despite my pleas for him not to do it!!!) so he made an open application as there was no time to think about Colleges. Has anyone else's dc made an open application?

Littleham · 19/10/2014 13:10

No, but she would only consider the college the school took her to through the widening access programme.

I wouldn't worry too much Raidne. Just concentrate on the other four choices & regard the Oxford one as a remote possibility. Better to let them try and fail, otherwise they might regret it.

isabellaDWJ · 19/10/2014 13:12

@Pumpkin14 I think in early December usually. And @Raidne curious as to why not to apply? good luck all!

welshpixie · 19/10/2014 13:29

DD is applying to Emmanuel, she got an email from them with the dates of interviews of all the subjects. This may only be at Emmanuel though.
I think the vast majority of interviews are the first 2 weeks of December. We just want know if she has an interview as we have to book plane tickets, we are in Germany and the closer to the date of the flight the more expensive it gets.
She will be travelling on her own as the cost of 2 flights and accommodation for me is getting too much, plus she doesn't want me there.Grin

MadameJosephine · 19/10/2014 15:07

welshpixie neither does my DS, I thought he might need some moral support so i volunteered to drive him there if he gets an interview but he looked at me as if I was crazy!

Raidne · 19/10/2014 15:16

I understand your "let them try" point, Littleham but including Oxford feels like he has wasted one of his choices.

He is very realistic about it and says he just hopes to get an interview - he doesn't expect to get in - so it is all pretty relaxed! Smile They interview a large percentage of Chemistry applicants so at least he might get a day trip out of it.

Raidne · 19/10/2014 15:23

Oh just saw your post, IsabellaDWJ. I didn't want ds to apply because he only wanted to include one university asking for A* so picking Oxford meant he wouldn't include Bristol, Durham or Imperial. More fool him, frankly. Smile

Littleham · 19/10/2014 16:27

What are his other university choices Raidne?

MsHerodotus · 19/10/2014 17:19

plus she doesn't want me there
phew - me too! Grin

Original poster
Roisin · 19/10/2014 17:45

What subject welshpixie - does she have to do pre-testing? If there is likely to be a huge price differential on flights, I'd be tempted to book now. ds1 has told me he only expects to have 1 week's notice of an interview :-o

OP posts:
RatherBeOnThePiste · 19/10/2014 18:02

Anyone else having to do pre tests for Oxford?

AtiaoftheJulii · 19/10/2014 18:29

Yes, dd is going for Classics without Latin or Greek A level, so she has to do the Classics Language aptitude test. She's found two online - there seem to be more practice papers for others, but this isn't really one you can revise for I guess.

Sparrows12 · 19/10/2014 18:48

Interviews are 9-11 December for oxford I think.

webwiz · 19/10/2014 19:44

Anyone else still messing about with the SAQ? DS has decided to write another personal statement and appears to have no idea whatsoever how many people are in his A level classes so will have to count them all tomorrow. He did say that Cambridge have sent lots of reminder emails about the deadline so they are nagging even more than I do Hmm

AtiaoftheJulii · 19/10/2014 19:51

Doesn't say when you will hear by though.

welshpixie · 19/10/2014 21:25

Roisin she is applying for Anglo-Saxon Norse and Celtic, she has no pre tests she has had to send in 2 essays. For her the interview it will be Dec 8th but she thinks and I do it would be tempting fate to book now. Emmanuel have said they will let EU students know a bit earlier if they can, but if not they will send out the emails week beginning Nov 16th. We have to fly with Ryanair and last time the prices didn't change too much they are also really good times, but she will need a night in college.