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.

Fantastic welshpixie. Really pleased for your dd.

Littleham I will keep my fingers crossed for you too.

If you have DC waiting for invitations to interview, it may be worth having them check spam folders.

DD received an invitation to submit written work that had gone to her spam folder. Luckily, someone from the college sent emails to the school mentioning this on 5th November. It the request had been to take one of the tests, she would have missed it.

DD has been invited for an interview at Oxford!!!!!

welshpixie congrats to your DD.

Congrats welshpixie and RandomFriend. Dd also got email today inviting her to an interview at Cambridge!

Congratulations Random and MrsB, this is getting very real now. DD hasn't quite come down yet, she has disappeared for a bath to calm down before we start booking flights, then she has a booking form to fill in, then packing to be done (she is off to a debate competition on Thursday). Oh yes and I have a mountain of ironing to do as well

Well done to Random and MrsB's dc's. Hurrah!

Oooooh, exciting! Am ridiculously pleased about all these DC that I don't know getting interviews. . DH thinks I am barking, but am so pleased that the hard work and persistence is working out for the DC here ( and obviously the stellar parenting they have received...)

Congrats welshpixie, MrsB, Gracefox and RandomFriend! Exciting times.

ds1 also received an offer this week from Imperial, which is a nice option to have in the bag in case he's disappointed post-interviews in Jan. The offer is very nice too, so he could have it as a back-up if he wants. Happy days!

Oh, it's brilliant to hear all the good news! Really pleased for everyone :-)

Dd has sorted herself out a mock interview - some of the teachers at local schools offer their services so the kids can get decent subject-based interviews. Seems like a really good idea.

Roisin, when I first came to the UK Imperial was considered one of the best places for a STEM degree & am sure it's still the same.

Well done Roisin's DS, my DS still hasn't heard a thing from imperial so congratulations on the offer!

DD just been offered an interview at Cambridge - in only 2 weeks time!!! Woo hop!!!

Great news bobs123!

Best of luck and well done to your dd bobs123.

What do parents do if DC get an interview? Do they take them by car or put them on a train? Do interviews run late? Do they get given lunch? Are we supposed to just wander round all day while waiting for them to finish? Mind you, I think think of worse places to have to wander round than Cambridge.

DDs interviews are at 12.00, 1500 & 1615. Just trying to weigh up the pros and cons of getting her there...

Yes, I'm sure there will be lunch on offer, but take money in case she has to pay for it?

It's a bit different for Cambridge, with it all on one day. Oxford interviews generally need a night or two (or more) in college, so parents really would be superfluous.

Is public transport reasonable from where you are? Parking in Cambridge isn't particularly easy I imagine.

Personally I won't be going on offer days or interviews. But plenty of people do.

Congrats Bobs123, I am throwing DD on a plane and then she will have to sort herself out. On her email it said that parents would not be allowed in the college and that there where plenty of shops :) to visit. But she has much nicer timed interviews, yours would have been really difficult for her, she would have needed two nights in college.

It's going to cost about the same by car or train. Car is more flexible but I'll be kicking my heels for a few hours. I gather there's park and ride which should simplify things.

If you go armed with a list, it would probably be a good chance to do plenty of Christmas shopping :)

A plane sounds expensive! DD's email said very little other than the times of the interviews and links for directions. Her college is very central (I think) which is good.

Haha I've just about done all my Christmas shopping!!! Can always go clothes shopping though

I have been enjoying reading this thread as we were going through this last year and now my daughter is having an amazing time at Cambridge. To bobs123 - my husband drove DD to interview as the train journey was too long and she booked in for lunch at college but when it came to it she was feeling too sick to eat so they ended up having a quiet walk around a beautiful church which seemed to do the trick. We are not religious but the peaceful environment was just what she needed! DH did manage a bit of shopping and a few coffees but it all went very quickly. They used the park and ride which works well. Good luck to everyone, it's worth all the heartache.

Dd's times are really spread out. She has to check in at 8.30 for a 9am - 10am exam. Next thing is 11.20 collect reading before interview at 11.50-12.20 then final interview at 4pm.

I have booked a hotel for dd and I for the night before as I was worried about getting stick in rush hour traffic. I visit Cambridge once or twice a month for work and the traffic can be terrible. The parking is also very expensive if you stay in one car park all day.

I said to dd that I would stay out of the way all day if she wanted to hang out with other interviewees but she doesn't want to as she doesn't want to talk to anyone about the exam or interview as she is scared she will be intimidated by how intelligent they are!