Oxbridge applicants 2018

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

I've hesitated before making this thread as I don't really like the whole making Oxbridge out as a special case when there are lots of amazing universities that are just as good for individual courses. However, it is a different application process with a lot happening by January should they get that far and irl I don't know anyone else's dc applying to talk to them about it. I expect most of us are in that situation. At the moment I rely on dd and the occasional foray into student room to learn what happens next.

So welcome all parents of Oxbridge candidates - a thread to chat over what's to come and to support if our kids find they have to steer in a different direction.

Application forms due in in a few weeks

Interesting.

DS1 got a First too - would be interesting to see if there is a significant correlation between HAT score and final degree result.

Do you know what the cut off mark is? DS1 has told DD they only use it to cull the bottom 25%...but he may be being kind.

Also do you know how or whether they look at both HAT and MLAT scores for Joint School applicants?

DS1 thinks you can get an interview for History alone with a high HAT and a low MLAT and vice versa? But he keeps saying it may have changed since his day! As if he was 60.....

But DD has been told that a low score on either would mean no interview......

Anyway I guess we will know one way or another in a couple of weeks.

I think it's logical to assume there's a correlation imoverlyengaged, allowing for a few external factors.

DD2 says the official line is that the top 75% get interviewed but that in fact it's less than that. She also thought her HAT was really bad, like your own DD, so fingers crossed :)

No idea about the HAT/ MLAT but what your DS says makes sense, and is consistent with how things are done once people get to interview stage (ie offers can be made for one or the other if a joint offer isn't made).

You'll be lucky to hear within a couple of weeks! Some colleges are kinder with History but the two DSs only had five days notice (DD had around ten days). No news is good news and all that.

Well done to your DS incidentally. I was thrilled for DS2!

Is there a set date when invitations for interview go out?
It’s the one thing we haven’t been able to find much information about.

Lobster I had a bit of a rootle around and while there is no set date it seems that non medicine went out last year generally but not exclusively during the week of the 14th at Cambridge, some were the week after. Medicine seems to be just a weeks notice.

I don’t know about Oxford. If you go on to Student Room, and look at the 2017 Oxford official applicants thread for this time of year you should be able to pick out first and last dates roughly from there.

Excellent detective work, Thankyou Kitten! I’ll have a rummage and report back!

For Oxford the letters tend to go out quite close to the actual interview date, usually 7-10 days before. Also the letters for a particular subject don't necessarily come out on the same day as they are sent by each individual college.

Cambridge are doing their interview selection this and next week

Dd sent off her written work yesterday, several friends were leaving it until today which even last-minute dd found a little too close for comfort.

She's feeling very stressed by it all - not helped by some other issues at school. Exeter have offered her AAB and Warwick, ABB which she's very happy with and will probably take as her insurance.

We had the Exeter interview last weekend and ds was definitely impressed. Me too! It's a lovely place, so I think he'll have it as second choice.

We've yet to visit, dd wants to go to the offer days

Str4nge does that mean that interview dates might go out this week? gulp?
It’s a weird thing, I’m having to turn down meetings and appts that week in case I need to take dd for an early morning interview. If it’s later in the day she can get the train. If she gets an interview of course...

Maladicta it’s tough for them isn’t it. It’s not like they can swap stresses just because they are applying for oxbridge, they have them in addition. Those are nice back up offers though. I think dds lowest offer is A A A. Fortunately maths tends to,be fairly predictable in result, at least with the current modular system, no idea whether it will be the same for next years cohort when they don’t have modules.

I think ( have a friend who works in admissions!) that it will be over the next week or so. We'll just cycle if he gets one 😁😁

If we have the same day ( he is physics) we must meet up!!!

So invites to interview come by post rather than email? DD had a slight moment of worry yesterday. Oxford emailed to say they hadn't received her written work. Turns out we sent it so early they had safely filed it away! Half an hour of panic though!!

That would be great Strange maybe we could park at yours Seriously, would it be ok if I pm you about best routes in and best places to park if she does get an interview and we do take her by car? I’ve heard Cambridge traffic can be bad. Is the park and ride good?

marmite, that is not what you needed, your poor dd, how stressful.

Of course. That's no problem. Let me know where you're coming from and I will try and get you into the city!!!

marmite interview invites are almost always sent by e-mail (I think one college may still post, quirkily).

brilliant, thanks Str4nge :)

That's Oxford but then that's where your DD has applied. No idea about Cambridge these days.

Cambridge (according to student room....) mostly email but some follow up with a letter in the post. Cambridge peeps had to send in their data protection thing by the 8th, so I guess that they can’t send out interview invitations until all of those are in.

Thanks for that. Think music students had to submit essays by 10th November so we are not expecting to hear anything til next week. Do you think there will be a "you have been unsuccessful" email if they don't want to interview?

DD is still waiting for one of her essays back so she can submit them.

The teacher is notoriously a bit last minute and blasé about things, but he promised he’d get it back to her by the end of the day yesterday (he’s had it to mark since last week) and she’s come home again today empty handed.

She remains calm, saying there are still 2 full days until the deadline and it will be fine, but I am very close to writing a strongly worded email.

I do not like leaving things until the last minute