Oxbridge Applicants for 2017

[HamletsSister]

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

Anyone else?

Still no details from DS, except that 'it's all good, worry not' (which translates as as 'stop fussing' I think).
He was told that he would definitely have to stay until today, but they might want him tomorrow as well.

DS had his first interview with a maths professor! Who shrugged and said, you're applying for Chinese Studies, I'm maths, not sure why I'm here... but then went on to ask him some very good questions about cultural differences, languages versus dialects etc.

Next interview was VERY in-depth and fascinating, says DS. Felt an instanting liking for his two interviewers, one of whom would be his D of S if he gets an offer.

All in all, a very stimulating day and he came home still buzzing after a complicated seven-hour journey.

Oh dear Shockmonkey - sorry about the shrugging maths professor - that's not ideal (though it sounds as if the interview was fine).

I think the problem is that these days all applicants are to be given two separate interviews, with two people present in each. I can imagine that for small subject with very few tutors in that subject that could be a bit of a challenge.

But it could have been presented more positively!

Initially ds was very positive, but we've just walked the dog and he was gradually remembering all the nasty bits of the interviews. The first one did the thing where every time ds was warming to the subject, he changed tack.

Anyway, he says he did his best and if they don't want him, he can't do any more (unlike last year where he was nervous, headachey, rattled etc etc etc).

Ding ding!

DS is in round 2 about now. Feeling more relaxed about it myself and he is having an absolute ball meeting other candidates and rampaging around Oxford. So, even if it all goes wrong for his application, he will have had 3 nights in a lovely city, made a few new friends and had a break from his usual routine.

HamletsSister, I think my dd may have met your ds - she said she was hanging around with just historians today as all the biologists had gone home!

Have Pm'd you Jessicapearson. I hope they did meet. Small world.

DS now home having been interviewed by two incredibly affable and enthusiatic tutors (one featured on the department website, for obvious reasons!) at his second college (although first interview in time) and then by a very, very, very poker faced couple of tutors at his first choice college. No smiling at all, no handshakes, nothing. Completely inscrutable apparently which doesn't sound great. He also thinks he needed possibly too many prompts. So we're very nicely poised on the fence here - completely can't tell. But he did enjoy himself and said the food was incredible so that bit was all good.

DD back too, first interview just OK second went well. she really enjoyed the stay in oxford, and the food and sightseeing. she was luck enough to have a few others from her school there to meet up with though.
she said a certain London boarding school had about 30 there, all out on the razz every evening :)

DS's 2nd interview went well and they asked if he would accept a deferred place, if offered. He is only 16 (17 by the time he finishes school in the summer) so he was positive about the option. Not sure if that was a good sign, or if they ask all the younger ones this question.

Sounds positive to me!

Come to think of it, extremely positive - you have to be a very strong applicant I think to be offered deferred (not that it's an offer, obviously, but it's clearly in their minds).

Thanks. Fingers crossed.

Has he been released yet HamletsSister or is he still waiting to hear if he's pooled?

Thanks, irregular!

Hamlet, that sounds very encouraging -- I am pretty sure they don't say this to everyone under-age...

Plus, entering uni when you're not yet 18 is not for everyone anyway!

Yes. I hope it is encouraging. Also, no more interviews so he just has to get across London and get on an overnight train. No problem.......

Sorry if this has already been said, but who knows when decisions come out from Cambridge? Does it vary by college?

I need to know as I may need to supervise the postbox after DS leaves for his grandparents' house on 21st December.

My understanding is January. But that might be Oxford only. The Student Room is a good website for up to date information.

Just googled and Oxford is 11th January. A quick Google might tell you Cambridge but they don't seem to have 1 published date. Also, all seems to be electronic for DS so monitoring the post might not work!

Thanks, Hamlet!

Cambridge have stated the 12th.

At least they can dream big over Christmas......

Presumably offers will show up on Track like any others, don't know how it works if they're put in for pooling though.

You could receive an email from your college before TRAK updates.