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

Good luck to your DS with his interview HeyBells! DS also had a letter from Birmingham. They had seen from his PS that he is a musician so they mentioned some opportunities that might be of interest.

That’s reassuring Stephan! It shows they read it.

Good luck to all with interviews this week!

Absolutely, good luck!
Also good luck for anyone waiting this week to hear if they have an interview.

Think Oxford is next week??

@OhYouBadBadKitten Sorry, I only just saw your question. Going to the interview, we got stuck in heavy traffic on the M25 so DD was quite late getting to the college (8.30pm). She was met by some very nice people and she stayed in a 1st year's room who had gone home for the holidays. That staircase had several people on it who had interviews but they seemed to be from a range of subjects, so they chatted generally in the evening and again at breakfast.

That college actively deterred parents so I stayed in a B&B. There were quite a few nervous parents there plus one lovely girl and her mum from Germany. She had interviews in a number of colleges, more like Oxford do.

I know this is looking a bit far ahead, but once DD had her offer, she was invited to join several Facebook groups called things like Cambridge Offer Holders 2017 and XXX College offer holders. It meant that she "got to know" people from her course/college before going there, so when we arrived, they knew something about one another. They also compared notes on the A levels as they took them, which was interesting as they had used different exam boards. DD was also invited to meet other NatSci people from this area in mid-September, so the transition was pretty good.

Steph, DS is MPhys too, very full on with lectures from day 1 but really enjoying it, particularly the lectures discussing research. Also very maths centric at present.

All best to those attending interviews this week (apparently Imperials free lunch was fab!) and to those waiting on Oxbridge interviews.

Thank you Malbec, that’s super helpful and reassuring :) I was thinking about going with her the night before if she has the option to stay over and stay in a b&b if she gets an interview but I didn’t know if that would be too helicoptery, she did all but one open days by herself, so she’s been pretty independent so far, but I think it might be nice for her.
plus I could have a bit of a day out and pretend it’s in the name of good parenting

I can PM you the name of where I stayed if you like. It was clean, comfy, had free parking and a lovely breakfast. Parking in Cambridge is EXTORTIONATE!

oh yes please, that would be awesome!! If we go by car it will be just for the day, but if we go up the day before it will be by train.

I so wish I was a go with the flow person. rather than a manage 50 potential scenarios in my head person

Really glad to hear your DS is enjoying Imperial LoveVelo! Long may it continue! We're keeping everything crossed for some good news here as DS is very keen on the Imperial course, maths centric sounds right up his street.

Could I ask if your DS is happy with his student accommodation there?

Hi Steph, yes, he's very happy with his accommodation. Although he applied for the likes of Beit Hall (roll over and you're in Blackett Building which houses Physics) and the other halls in the Notting Hill and Paddington area, he ended up at Woodward over at North Acton. The halls are only a couple of years old so the accommodation is excellent there. All are en-suite, 3/4 beds with nice fitted furniture and really good kitchens. There's even a roof garden!
DS went to a floor party at the top floor of D Block which is the one where all the kitchens are floor to ceiling glass and he said the views to central London were amazing!
Of course there is a down side - its about 4.5 miles from South Ken so will cost on the tube although student discount Oyster cards are £89 a month. On the plus side, DS has taken up cycling again so rides in. He's found a safe route along the canal paths and over Hyde Park which he loves doing but keeps an Oyster card for days when the weather isn't too great for cycling in.
I'll keep fingers crossed for your DS this week!

wow this sounds amazing! i will share this with DS so to increase its appeal to him! hopefully he will get the offer in this month!

Thank you so much for all the detail LoveVelo that's just the kind of thing DS would like to know, I'll pass it onto him. Loving the sound of the roof garden and good kitchens! Safe cycling sounds like a good option too.

Risotto and Steph, glad the comments have been useful!
One of the reputations Imperial seems to have is that study there can be a bit insular. DS has said some of the students do keep themselves to themselves, but if you want to socialise, there's always something on in halls either organised or (more frequently) floor parties open to all in the halls.
Malbec, congratulations to your DD on gaining her place for NatSci at Cambridge!
BadKitten, wishing your DD all best for her interview and enjoy your day out!

I will agree with the Cambridge parking fees. Absolutely insane. I am more than happy for anyone to park along our road and get the bus in. We're about 20 minutes walking out of the city but on a good bus route 😊

That’s if she gets one LoveVelo, still in the same waiting to hear boat like you all, but thank you!

Is it this week that Cambridge interview invitations start going out?
I know Oxford is another couple of weeks away.
Good Luck to all Cambridge applicants if it is, keep us posted!!

Oops, just read all the posts I missed over the weekend!
So it’s over the next 2 weeks for Cambridge then, and the 2 weeks after that for Oxford (roughly!)
Kitten that spreadsheet is amazing!

Will be interesting to see if colleges/subjects follow the same pattern.

Oxford have started giving out interview invitations for courses without written work and test such as Biochem and Biol. Also for Fine Art as they had an earlier portfolio submission deadline.

I wrongly jumped to the conclusion that because loads went out last year on the 14th which was a Monday, that today would be the same in terms of volumes of invitations and commiserations going out . It wasn’t! I kept looking at my phone to see if dd had sent me a message, she didn’t. oh well.

It’s a bit tricky because I’ve got a hospital appointment plonked in the middle of interview week and it’s time critical with some medication that needs reviewing/renewing. Could really do with that date!

Yikes Kitten, I hate the vagueness at this point too, just want to know one way or the other.
Are you planning to go with your DD?
I was planning on just sending mine on the train.
What are other people planning to do?

It depends on what time of day it is Lobster, it’s three hours on the train and then of course it’s a bit of a journey from the station to the colleges.

OYBBK, there is a ‘Official Cambridge 2018 Stalking Sheet!’ Thread on TSR and the equivalent for Oxford that people might find useful, or excruciating to watch, but I’m being useless and can’t work out how to link them. Lots of applicants that have specified which college they have applied to and which subject (with frighteningly high predicted grades). They will be updating the sheet when they hear if they’ve got an interview.