Oxbridge 2015 #3

[Grammar]

Continuing Roisin and Molio's thread, just wanted a space in the last week before results for people to post their anxieties, and hopefully, come 13th August, also post their good news about their DDs and DSs. A place for celebration and commiseration.

That's great news sassy. I was hoping dd's college would relent esp if they had spaces but no luck so far. They have written to say they will take her if her grade goes up which is something

Well done Sassy that's great! Decorhate can I ask you is your Dd on hold at her college or have they rejected her pending remark? Dd is on hold and just had a thanks for the ums email that's all we need at the moment email

Rejected pending remark - it's Oxford

Decorhate I will keep my fingers crossed for your DD, I saw you on another thread and know that your DD got fantastic results.
It seems that each college at Cambridge really apply their own individual rules to admissions. DD's college have been so generous with their offer to her but DD is disappointed in herself that academically she didn't fulfil their requirements.
My DD has also put in for a remark for her own piece of mind more than anything and her school have told her they will call her next Wednesday with the result.

Will keep fingers crossed for your DD too cathyandclaire

Thanks sassy. Dd got the impression that if she had been applying for a different subject they might not have been so stringent (she wants to do medicine & the dropped grade was in chemistry which is compulsory for entry)

Great news for all confirmed places...cathyandclaire and Decohate* all the best. One's role as parent is almost more important in navigating them through disappointment. All very well for a successful result here but I've tried to be very phlegmatic about Oxbridge...but they set their own standards, don't they?
It doesn't feel like it now....but they will be as successful as they would having gone to Cambs...I'm pretty sure about that. My DD has Asperger's so although she has it all 'up there' my terror is that she won't be able to navigate ordinary life OK.
Many thoughts to all out there.

Yes Decorhate I think with medicine they can be very unyielding. I suppose the positive thing is that your DD has a great insurance and there is nothing specifically value added by doing your medical degree at oxbridge rather than any other uni.
I Grammar and I think sometimes our DC can be their own worse critics.

Decohate I am married to a doctor who was 'greedy'... he is a dual 'varsity' fellow. I can assure you... we know so many doctors from other universities over the years, who are successful and happy. Cambs and Oxford isn't everything. As said before, it's all very well having had a good result here but I still shudder about how DD will cope living a lone.

*When I said 'Dual varsity', I meant Cambs and Oxford. He's quite humble tho'!

Are there a few too many assumptions flying about here?

Surely nobody with any real critical intelligence thinks that going to a university that is near the top of a particular league table determines whether a young person is happy during their studies , or the course of the rest of their life?

My partner went to Oxford. I went to Cambridge. However, we don't go round saying Oxon. Or Cantab. Or talking about 'subfusc'. Or 'Varsity'. It's just not our thing

We've got a scruffy - though middle-class - lifestyle. We've both been skint at times. Both of us have had times when we've felt really tested by the experiences we've had as adults. Our friends and the people we work with are from a variety of backgrounds. The jobs we do are about trying to make the world a slightly better place, at a time when it feels that life for quite a lot of people in the UK is getting quite tough.

I went to my university because I was really interested in my chosen subject and I was good at it. My partner the same. (For us university choice wasn't some kind of campaign for future high income or social advancement.)

There were ways in which we both valued our time there. And for both of us there were things we disliked, and/or felt uncomfortable with.

It's a highly competitive process and the children have done well to survive the ordeal. I hope that anyone who gets a place has a great time, while making the most of the opportunities to grow and think.I hope that those who go elsewhere enjoy their opportunities too.

Well said Marianne.

Yes, nicely put Marianne.

Although I was talking about subfusc earlier, as in "jeez, now I have to add a gown to the shopping list!"

Beautifully put, Mariannne Just such. You expressed better than I did my feeling about achievement. This is just the beginning. I feel strongly that we still have to be there for our DCs, possibly even more so.

Hocus the getting down for results from Scotland after the initial no photo id hitch went ok but getting back last night after Thursday night out with mates has proved problematic. DS was supposed to join us out for supper (the pudding bit anyhow) but got on the wrong ferry and sailed an additional one and a half hours to a different island. We could see where he was but that didn't help, on the grounds that there was a large stretch of water between us. Anyhow, he's now sailing back, apparently, having been put up for the night by the ferry company (lovely hotel with full breakfast, so could be worse ).

Molio, What a brilliant story . No doubt he will be subject to some "gentle teasing" from his siblings when he gets back.

Yes they loved it. I didn't, but I was happier when I found out the ferry company was footing the bill :) My brother is collecting him now.

This is my first DC going off to Uni. Has anyone got any hints on what is 'essential' for going off to uni ...I have a got her an electric blanket because she has Asperger's and is particularly sensitive to cold...Oh and a kettle. PLEASE send me you wisdoms on this. (apparently at Cambs they have a duvet...unlike at other unis appaarently) My other half had a 'bedder'... I do hope that no longer exists!

Grammar there's another thread "Preparing for Uni" covering just that. You will need a lot less stuff for Cambridge I think as it's catered.

Grammar if last year's experience with DS1 is anything to go by for Cambridge your DC will need a lot less than she actually takes :)

Kettles in rooms at DS's colleges is a big NO, however whether that is true for others I don't know. Duvet and bedding was available at DS's college however he preferred to take his own - which from what I can gather was not that unusual. I would recommend taking a rug though, if anything just to personalise the room a bit.

Thank you decohate and boys. I'll find that thread.

Dd1's Oxford college have an electrical appliance list which seems comprehensive - kettles and small fridges are ok, fairy lights are not! I'm sure all this information is available somewhere for any accommodation. Although dd was wondering what she could keep her clothes in when she got there, and wasn't entirely reassured when I said that there would definitely be drawers and some hanging space!

DD's remark officially an A*, other remark now successfully cancelled ( bird in the hand and all that) and place at Cambridge now confirmed
It's been a long, stressful time but she made it!
Waves to Marianne, she'll see your DD soon :)

Very pleased to hear it C&C! Have been thinking of you and yours.

Brilliant! And phew!