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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Oxbridge applicants 2018

999 replies

OhYouBadBadKitten · 31/08/2017 08:54

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 Confused

OP posts:
RaindropsAndSparkles · 02/12/2017 19:12

Well I shall be settling myself down in a coffee shop with my Christmas cards. Shall I pm you both and we can have a mini meet up?

GeorgeTheHamster · 02/12/2017 20:32

There is some hanging about and they are advised to take schoolwork and a book to keep themselves occupied. There are some activities I think but there is a lot of making small talk with other candidates and they need to be quite self sufficient. DS went to a couple of museums that interested him but they can't go too far from college as they need to keep checking the notice board. I didn't go with him. Now I see the pace of work that is expected of them I see why they were expected to demonstrate some self sufficiency 12 months ago.

HingleMcCringleberry · 02/12/2017 21:32

Inchy I would second what George has said - when I interviewed I was pretty much at a loose end, so I read a book I’d brought with me and mooched about a bit.

You want to be careful joining in the pub quiz and alcohol related entertainment - in my second year I was a volunteer helping at interview time, and recall someone (somehow, and completely unaided by us) managed to get in such a state they were sick on the photocopier in the junior common room. We were not particularly impressed with that candidate.

AtiaoftheJulii · 02/12/2017 22:42

Dd's college bar doesn't serve alcohol to interview candidates, even the over 18s, so any boozing would have to be on one's own initiative Grin The quiz was just pub quiz style, didn't have to be accompanied by a pint Wink

Dd is an extreme extrovert, so although she did take schoolwork (some Eng Lit coursework iirc), she spent pretty much all her time hanging out with other candidates.

RaindropsAndSparkles · 03/12/2017 14:20

Trying to get dd out of the house now. Longest bath ever, much dilly dallying. Shops will be shut by the time we get there. Planning to go to evensong. Would really like to be checked into our hotel by dark fall.

LoniceraJaponica · 03/12/2017 15:08

I thought all interviewees stayed in the colleges?

Risotto301 · 03/12/2017 15:54

phew! DS finally got the interview invite from Oxford! On a Sunday!
Interestingly he is invited for 3 interviews! One at the college he chose, then two at another college assigned! Anyone has similar experience and know why so?

goodbyestranger · 03/12/2017 16:01

That's fairly standard for science subjects Risotto. Some colleges do two interviews for a particular subject, some do one. So his college of choice do one, the other does two.

goodbyestranger · 03/12/2017 16:06

Probably should have added that several science subjects send candidates to another college as standard. Humanities subjects and Law, PPE etc operate differently.

Risotto301 · 03/12/2017 16:12

Thank you goodbyestranger for the explanation!

YippeeTeenager · 03/12/2017 16:16

Good luck Raindrops, Kitten and everyone else with interviews this week Flowers

jaguar67 · 03/12/2017 16:21

Just dropped off DD for her interviews - literally a pull-up-to-the-kerb-and-jump-out-with-bags job! Holywell Street closed to traffic, but just had a text confirming that a) she found the right college & b) it's all a bit 'amazing'. A week ago she resembled a pressure cooker about to blow - now she's just glad to be 'into it', feels she can't have done more to prepare & wants to enjoy the experience as much as possible. Will be good to have her back home on Tuesday evening!

Maladicta · 03/12/2017 16:31

Good luck to everyone interviewing this week, DD seems to have gone into denial so we'll see how things go....

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/12/2017 17:03

Good luck everyone’s dc for this week :) at the end of the week we will all be able to have Wine before the next lot the following week.

I’m glad your dd is feeling settled and ready for it all Jaguar. Good stuff!

OP posts:
itinerant · 03/12/2017 17:18

DS arrived in oxford about half an hour ago, in one piece, without losing anything. This in itself is worth celebrating. I’m having a glass of wine and toasting him in his absence!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/12/2017 17:32

excellent news!

OP posts:
Hubble25 · 03/12/2017 17:47

DS now in Oxford!! Here goes!! Best wishes to all. :)

inchyrablue · 03/12/2017 17:49

Good luck this week everyone! I'm looking forward to hearing all about it Smile

marmiteloversunite · 03/12/2017 17:59

Good luck to all!!

My DD is now at her college. Sent me a photo of her room and said she is going to go and make friends. She wasn't as nervous as I thought she would be. She has done a lot of preparation and I think she is just pleased to get on with it. I am in my little Air bnb home and about to open a tin of gin and tonic. Fingers crossed for a good week for all interviewees!!

fatbottomgirl67 · 03/12/2017 18:02

Good luck to all. Any tips for dd I review next week will be happily received

Jabbott1 · 03/12/2017 18:03

Wishing all the very best of luck for those with interviews this week and next. Sadly DS journey to Oxford ended last week with the rejection letter. Conditional offers from Manchester, Bristol & Exeter, so now he just has to try and decide on first choice

MrsKnightley · 03/12/2017 18:13

DS (last year) spent his time at Oxford - sleeping, getting thrown out of a pub (16 at the time) and meeting friends made online who he still sees. His college is tiny so they didn't put much on but he had a great explore and a brilliant time. 2 interviews. 1 on day 1 at 9am and the other on day 2 at 4pm. He had to wait until 4pm on day 3 to be "released" but had nothing more after day 2.

He looks back at it as one of his best weeks ever. He did get an offer and is going next year (they asked him to take a year out as he was so young). But, he had such a ball he was quite relaxed. Of the 4 friends he made 2 got in, 2 didn't and Oxford seems to have got it right - the 2 who didn't would not quite have made the standard offer anyway.

DS is the first ever from his school so had no pressure or expectations.

A book - take one. They marvelled at the journey he had taken (13 hours) and wanted to know what he had read. Cue long chat.

He dug himself a hole and told them so at one point. Started again and re-thought his point.

They want to know you are flexible and can be taught. Be open to changing a position.

Revise the personal statement. Be prepared to be asked about it, he was. They then moved on rapidly as they seemed to want to stay away from well rehearsed stuff. Have something extra to talk about.

One boy does not = the answer to all interview questions.

However, it might help. Good luck all.

Oh, subject - History.

itinerant · 03/12/2017 18:32

So DS off for dinner and then the college has organised board games. Sounds very civilised! He’s nervous now as apparently he has THREE interviews tomorrow and then nothing on Tuesday (PPE, wasn’t expecting all the interviews in a day). I’ve advised he stays late in the common room this evening rather than fretting in his room alone. He’s missing the dog!

LoniceraJaponica · 03/12/2017 18:32

How come he was interviewed at 16? Did he go in year 12?

LoniceraJaponica · 03/12/2017 18:33

One of DD's friends is going for a history interview at St Catz. Any other hints and tips?

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