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

Ooh a meet up how exciting! I might plan a trip to Cambridge just to join in!

That would be fab!! 😁

we have interview one at 9.30 and interview two at 12 and I’ve heard the 25 minute time slot can be more like 40 minutes! She’s still not sure why they’re interviewing her as she an only doing three A levels and although she’s got the requisite maths and physics for engineering, her third A level is in English! Her maths ums score was a perfect 300/300, she’s brilliant at Physics and she found the engineering entrance exam ok, (from her this means it went well!) so I’m assuming that’s why they want to see her. But I guess that if they’re inundated with brilliance, her imperfect A levels will eject her after interview (obviously I’m not telling her that!)

Papaya they only care whether they are going to do really well in that particular course and thrive on it. They really don’t care about whether they are well rounded, or have a large collection of a levels. The interviews are in good part about how well the supervision system will work for them.

I’ve just had a look at the entry requirements, are you worrying about the FM? it looks like lots of colleges aren’t worried about that, if she gets an offer with a step requirement, there are resources to help.

Yes, a bit worried. I didn’t think she’d have to do step as well as her entrance exam. I think some colleges ask for step for engineering, but I can’t see anything for the one she’s applied to

ps and thank you, that’s very reassuring to know (have to remind myself that it’s my daughters Cambridge interview, not mine!

I think it does make us anxious, it’s all out of our control and that’s a key anxiety trigger. Hopefully she won’t get a step requirement added on :)

Well done to all who've got interviews so far. DS has one for Natural Sciences at Churchill, yay!!!

His interview at Imperial was apparently "ok", it may have to serve as his interview practice unless school get round to organising something, so am glad it came before the Cambridge one.

I’m so pleased Heybells :) well done to your ds.

Congratulations to your DS Heybells, fantastic news!

I’ve banned myself from TSR this week after realising I’d checked the official applicants thread 5 times before lunch today!
FYI it seems quiet on there today (Oxford thread) after the first flurry of interview invitations went out at the end of the week.

Congratulations to all those who have heard. Peace and gin to all their parents - and the rest of us who hope to hear this week/next week. As a PP said - must remind myself its not MY application!!

Yikes! Apparently DS's friend has an Oxford interview for Biology. Heard nothing from Imperial nor Oxford about Physics though. Oh the tension!

Biology is way earlier than Physics whiteroseredrose. The earliest invites for Biology came out as long ago as the 9th this year.

Sorry, 10th not 9th. Anyhow, significantly ahead of the curve.

Thanks stranger. I think the dates are earlier so it would make sense. I just wish we could know one way or the other. The suspense is killing me!

It's much more to do with the fact that Biology doesn't have an aptitude test or written work. Don't worry - it's too soon!

Well done to all the DCs with interviews and fingers crossed for those waiting.
Feeling rather pleased that I had a go at the practice ab-initio language test and got it all right , will talk dd through it once she's back from Villiers Park.
Dh has said he'll drive her up the night before to take off some of the pressure.

Been watching this thread with interest, as an adviser and small UCAS centre in France.

We have interviews here for maths at Trinity, history at Sidney Sussex, history and politics at Selwyn, CompSci at John's. Still waiting for all Oxford candidates (PPE, PPL, maths & philo, law). Also waiting for two Cambridge vets.

Had a huge disappointment for maths with physics at Trinity: that was a shocker as her dossier looked slightly better than the one who got a Trinity interview for maths-only. Gave me a sleepless night, that one.

It won't seem believable, but as their adviser it feels like I care about them all as much as my own DC! And I'm with you all in spirit as my own son went through this last year for AMES.

Fingers crossed for you all, and commiserations for those with disappointing news -- it will be the start of something different but just as good, I promise!

Well we had our first stressed out tears last night. DD has her grade 8 singing exam next week, two essay plans for History and English coursework to do by the fifteenth Dec and lots of reading to do for her interview. She is also worried as she has a cold and sore throat. Trying to boost her vitamin C/D/zinc and reassure. Have told her to talk to her tutors about extending deadlines if she needs to. I know she prob has revision to start in the Xmas hols so wants to get the essay plans done. Really feel sorry for her. They have so much on!! Sorry for the ramble!!

your poor dd marmite. They do have so much going on and the interviews on top seem enough to tip the balance on the workload. All we can do is try to create a calm soothing space for them and provide lots of hot drinks and good food.

Thanks Kitten. She seems a lot more positive today. She has realised she is further on than her classmates with her essay plans so that’s not so bad. Sore throat but singing exam not til next Tuesday so hopefully will be better by then.

Cambridge interview for DD - engineering. V relieved!

congrats toomanytolist!

Fantastic news toomany!

Yay toonmany!!