Oxbridge Applicants for 2017

[HamletsSister]

DS has done his exam (Oxford, History) and written his essay. Now, the waiting begins.......

Anyone else?

Just like to agree with mother, Hardcare and Hamlet. DC has just finished their first term studying physics and seems to be very happy. At the physics open day two years ago the tutor said, "after your interview you will not have an accurate idea of how well you have done, only we will know that, since we will keep asking questions until you can no longer answer them!" So don't let being pushed put you off. If they find an area that you know well, they will move onto something you don't to see how you think. DC found this to be true. Just keep going and keep talking through your thought processes. If their is a pause when you finish, they probably want a bit more. Also don't be afraid to go back and correct any mistakes you may have made and to take on board any prompts given. Hope this helps :)

*there

Talking about mistakes I meant Hardcore not Hardcare, sorry :)

thank you.... he had this sort of advice... but there is SO MUCH (mostly good) advice. I'm just really glad that it's over... and that there are other offers.

Ultimately, I am thankful to the universe (and god .....and all the powers that be) that he has good health, is motivated and that we have a good relationship. I wish everyone the very best...

I know what you mean about so much advice. In the end it feels a little bit like a lottery with so many great candidates.

That's just it, userlotsofnumbers.

I keep telling DD that. It seems like a failure not to get in, but it so isn't!

Absolutely no failure at all not getting in. Flipping great achievement to be good enough to even apply.

Yes dragons make sure he knows the books he says he has read well. DC ended up being interviewed at the second college by the Prof who wrote one of their books. Lol :)

Not sure what you mean by "on show at all times"? Obviously it is always good to behave courteously, but rest assured that no one will have any input at all into the selection process apart from the interviewers. Not admin staff, not student helpers, not cleaners or kitchen staff. Even if the applicants behaved badly we wouldn't hear about it - unless it was so bad they were asked to leave (eg there is zero tolerance of alcohol in college). So let them relax between interviews without worrying about being "on show".

Fair enough. This was advice given to my DD by a teacher at her school, not anyone from the university.

All I can add is that when DS came out of his interviews and I asked how they had gone, he could only say " I have absolutely no idea". He is now happily in 2nd year. I say that not to boast but just to say that it is hard to see on the day whether you have done well or not. Obviously I can't say but don't worry unnecessarily if DC didn't think it went sparklingly.

Also DS went to meet a friend last night who is at another university , a good one, he is doing very well and having a good time. Having been through this with DS I do understand that these interviews feel like they are make or break. They aren't. His friend is doing well and very happy. In truth I think he always wanted to go where he is now. I bet he will do really well.

Exactly, second that Basilisk

My students often tell me that the applicants who seem extremely confident and say the interviews have gone very well are generally not the ones they see again when they come back in October.

Dropped off dd at Merton this afternoon - very excited, very nervous! Her two English interviews are tomorrow. Her room is beautiful, overlooking Christchurch Meadows which was great to see. Hopefully, we'll hear from her later this evening :)

Good luck to your DD, doglover.

Just heard from dd :) She's heading off to bed after going out for ice cream with other candidates: she sounded happy, if exhausted!

Sounds good!

Just dropped DD at the train station on the way up for her interview today. So proud of her to be at this point, and of all the work she has put in in preparation: so whatever happens she and we will know she has done her best and learnt a lot. Think it's definitely a bit of a lottery from here and I just hope she is lucky today!

Any feedback from Cambridge interviews yesterday? My DC said his went ok- no idea what that means!

Just had a message from DS to say he has arrived in Oxford (he was making his own way there from school) and is on his way to the college.

I am so distracted I've just put the salt and pepper in the fridge .

Oh, MrsB, its hellish, isn't it?

I hope he's getting on okay.

I've finally had the lowdown from DD.

She met a know it all type, who was utterly nasty about everything. This girl wanted to talk about French cinema, but when DD knew as much as she did about French cinema, decided she'd prefer to talk about Russian cinema. DD mentioned she had read the book she was reading, and she was a bit, "oh, everyone's read this". And asked if she had read x, y or even z? DD is well read, but no one had read everything! She was rude about what DD was wearing, and generally nasty.

So, if there is any justice in the world, DD will get in, and she won't!

The first interview was tough, and she didn't feel she shone. She has since thought of a good response to an answer to a question that threw her. C'est la vie.

The second was better, but again, she didn't feel she shone.

She spoke to a few students after, and none of them thought they had done well at interview, either. So who knows?

We can only wait now.

"Oh, I find when it comes to francophone cinema, sub-Saharan filmmaking is far more innovative at the moment, wouldn't you agree?"

Sub-Saharan?

Huh! The cinema in The Azores is where it's at!

Hm, well I was under the impression that Oxbridge (and elsewhere) want people willing and able to learn, not who immaturely think they know it all already.