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Higher education

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

Original poster

Oxbridge 2015 #2

999 replies

Molio · 27/11/2014 19:14

Continuing Roisin's thread.

I've even succumbed to TSR, having sworn I wouldn't. Still no news here and haven't heard of news from any other source in the same subject at the same college but being very uncool tbh as the reality is that rejection after an interview would be much kinder for DS than a no ab initio. Massively cheered by a late afternoon offer from Bristol though. I thought I was chilled, I'm clearly not Grin.

Fingers crossed for everyone still waiting and hoping. It's very hard to see them disappointed, is the problem :(

OP posts:
Figmentofmyimagination · 04/12/2014 12:59

Hi quenna that's horrid. So much harder if he came out of the test thinking he had done ok. We've had big disappointments at school with shock rejections at this stage. It does seem very arbitrary.

Random re things to pack I am including some surprise new pyjama trousers and a couple of packs of favourite biscuits. Plus box of beechams capsules as a cold is on its way, worst luck.

MadameJosephine · 04/12/2014 13:05

Sorry to hear that quenna, hope the rest of his applications go well and your DS ends up somewhere he will be equally happy.

bobs123 which college is your DD interviewing at? My DS may have followed her in at 12! Have you heard anything from her? Just had a text from him to say he managed not to break down which is great but that he didn't think it went very well. At least now he knows he can do it without a panic attack and the next one may go better

bobs123 · 04/12/2014 13:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

welshpixie · 04/12/2014 13:55

Webwiz my DD is in Cambridge for her interview on Monday too.
On things to pack - tissues there is nothing more irritating (to me anyway) than sniffing. Just had a group of students all sniffing this morning, I have tissues behind the desk JUST ASK ME I am not that scary really. Rant over.

RandomFriend · 04/12/2014 14:47

Brew and handholding for bobs and MadamJ.

Good luck to your DCs, hope they are having a good day.

Littleham · 04/12/2014 15:01

Sorry about your son's news Quenna. Good luck for the rest of the applications.

Littleham · 04/12/2014 15:01

Good luck to all dc's at Cambridge. Xmas Smile

Garage has now fixed the wipers on the pumpkin in readiness for next week. Order for glass slippers duly cancelled, although I did love the story about the girl who turned up in a ball dress!

DD seems unnaturally calm at the moment.

RandomFriend · 04/12/2014 15:02

Mine is definitely prone to panic attacks.

RandomFriend · 04/12/2014 15:04

Littleham I hope you have a lovely day in Oxford.

Littleham · 04/12/2014 15:08

Only an evening I'm afraid, but I'm really looking forward to it.

I googled panic attacks for you, but the advice is not overly helpful as it said to avoid stressful situations and to meditate! My dd's calmness might be shock of course....

bobs123 · 04/12/2014 15:43

Lol Littleham

This just in from DD "just come out of the interview...O My God"

Oh well, 2 down, 1 to go! (interviews/tests)

MadameJosephine · 04/12/2014 15:59

Just had tearful DS on the phone, second interview did not go well. Didn't have a full blown attack (he has an anxiety disorder, the college are aware of it) but said he could barely speak and couldn't answer the most basic question. He then hung up on me and sent me a text saying I wasn't helpful but he didn't even give me time to speak. It's horrible being so far away from him. This is one of the reasons I suggested going down with him for the horrible journey home if it went badly but he wouldn't hear of it

bobs123 · 04/12/2014 16:06

Oh dear he sounds like my DD MadameJosephine. My DD is on meds for anxiety (haven't told anyone though) and is being referred for CBT.

Which college? Has he finished now? My DD said about 3 hrs ago that she was the only one left doing MML and is still to do her other interview around now. I just replied "yes?" to DD's text but she hasn't answered.

I find it amazing that so many DC with anxiety problems still put themselves throughout this process Confused

YogaCats · 04/12/2014 16:09

Aw, sorry to hear that, MadameJ. Lots of TLC to you both. Wasn't it easier when we could just "kiss it better"?? Brew called for. Then Wine, methinks

MadameJosephine · 04/12/2014 16:11

He's had some CBT but hasn't been since the summer and refuses to take medication. He's actually been pretty ok apart from 'high stress situations' which this definitely counts as!

bobs123 · 04/12/2014 16:13

Did he find the CBT helped?

MadameJosephine · 04/12/2014 16:14

He's all finished now but train home doesn't leave until 6 and it's a long journey back. It took him over 6 hours to get there yesterday including some delays, hopefully that won't happen again

bobs123 · 04/12/2014 16:16

Ha my DD should be on a train just after 6 - back around 9

RandomFriend · 04/12/2014 16:40

Quenna (and anyone else not going or that doesn’t get an offer after the interview), here are my thoughts of comfort.

  • • - Just by having applied to Oxbridge shows that they are right up there.
  • • - Every year, there are plenty of candidates rejected who could have been good Oxbridge students (I read that somewhere on the Oxford website)
  • • - There are many paths to a successful life – Oxbridge is just one. And some who get onto the Oxbridge track fall off.
  • • - At some universities, the introductory talk includes the question, “Which college rejected you”.
  • • - Most students love the university that they get to, once they are there.

I wanted to make this list for myself as I may need it in January. Additions welcome!

MadameJosephine · 04/12/2014 17:09

He said the CBT was helping at the time bobs but then he stopped going and it definitely doesn't work if you don't go!

PD6966 · 04/12/2014 17:12

Oh, MJ, my heart goes out to you and your DS. He was brave putting himself out there and should be very proud of his efforts, even though he might not be feeling that now. x
bobs, well done to your DD. I think they're both very brave and independent. x

MadameJosephine · 04/12/2014 17:39

PD thank you for your lovely comment. I'm sure it was not your intention but you've made me cry a little bit. I'm very proud of him

Littleham · 04/12/2014 17:48

Oh what a shame MadameJo. It took a lot of guts to put himself through such a process with an anxiety disorder. If he can do that, he can do anything. At least it is over now!

Hope your dd feels better about the later interviews bobs.

Raidne · 04/12/2014 17:51

MadameJosephine and bobs123, well done to your dc for putting themselves through the mill despite difficulties. They have done fantastically well to "survive" such a stressful process. I hope they are both home safe and well as soon as possible.

Good luck to everyone else facing Cambridge and Oxford interviews shortly. Ds still has over a week to wait and is doing absolutely no prep so that should be an interesting few days for him when he gets there. Smile

MarianneSolong · 04/12/2014 18:05

Not derailing just discussing. But what do people think 'the Oxbridge track' - referred to above - might be? Does such a thing exist?

Shall come back to this and tell you what I think ere long...