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 advice itinerant - I've had the same conversation with DD just now. But I also understand a feeling/ need to stay in their rooms, there's no right answer! 3 interviews on one day is tough...BUT... he'll get into the swing and I'm sure will be brilliant. DD has one tomorrow & another on Tuesday at a different college. Good luck to your DS!

Thanks jaguar and likewise good luck to your DD and to all the others being interviewed this week - they’ve all done brilliantly to get to this stage!

He skipped a year in primary school and we live in Scotland where dates are a bit different. He was 16.5 at interview and will be just over 18 when he starts. They were a bit startled too but he was applying for Uni alongside his year group (the one he joined).

TBH I am not sure he realised what he was doing and might have been much less relaxed had he been at a school surrounded by other applicants.

Well itinerant and marmite you have some catching up to do. Already a bit tipsy to be honest!!

Really glad Risotto! Fingers crossed for both our DC. X

Right then Hubble, challenge accepted!

Hubble

lol!!! Am I going to be bumping into hungover mners tomorrow?

We are going to travel up in the morning, try and get some lunch into a nervous dd then wave her off for the afternoon. Won’t be home til pretty late tomorrow night I think.

Lonicera good eye contact good body language according to DS2 who told me a couple of days ago he knew he'd nailed his place for History coming out of the last interview ('I mean you just know, don't you?').

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Very good luck to all.

We are about to snuggle down to a couple of Merlins. Just had dinner. She's pretty chilled. Looking forward to a day in Cambridge tomorrow while she goes through the mill

Dd is also settled into her lovely Oxford college after a very busy train journey down and she is preparing for interviews tomorrow- everyone she has met has been nice, very academically equal but still in 'showing off' mode so she's not made any personal level connections apparently . Lots of PPE interviewees I think alongside her English ones and a definite sense of 'they are the competition for the places' too.
She's gone out for ice cream with the student ambassadors- I just hope she sleeps ok tonight.

Itinerant another PPE hopeful missing the dogs. Not the parents!!

Message from dd - everyone has either gone to bed or to study! It's 8.45pm!

I can't quite believe it's actually interview week. After so long waiting and wondering it seems to have come around very suddenly.
DD is travelling to Oxford on Tuesday morning.
She's been so busy I'm worried she hasn't had enough time to properly prepare, but she seems remarkably calm - at least she hasn't had time to get nervous or stressed.

Good Luck to all with interviews tomorrow - keep us posted with how they're getting on!

Message from DS:

“i'd say there is an even split of nice people, weirdos and arrogant people”

Love that itinerant. Not sure but we might be in the weird category!!

Ha ha I have weirdo DDs
How many interviews does he have tomorrow Hubble? And which college?

my daughter is coughing and shivery and has her first of two interviews at half nine in the morning. We don’t live far from Cambridge so I’m going in with her tomorrow, for moral support. (only as far as the college gates, will wait in cafe obvs) She’s healthy as can be, so bloody typical that the day of her Cambridge interviews she’s hit with this. Unfair.

University college and 2 interviews tomorrow itinerant. Thankfully not too early. Does your DS have good times??

Hope She's ok tomorrow papayrusmum

Just settling down to another Merlin at The Holiday Inn. Oops no, She's nipping to the bar for a soft drink first. Just pulled on her leggings and coat .

Sorry to hear that papaya. My DS is still on penicillin. Sometimes they rise to the occasion against all the odds.

Hope she feels better in the morning Papaya!

oh Papaya. Germs know when they are stressed. I hope that she fights it off overnight.

dd gets hiccups when she’s very stressed. It made our mock mock mock interview today a very giggly affair. I practiced The Silence with her.

Thinking of all the dc in strange rooms tonight.

Wishing everybody a peaceful night. Sleep tight DC.

wish all the DCs here all the best for this week's interviews!
It's fun to see all the DCs' comments on their arrivals and time at Oxbridge!
Imagine that i will be in the position as you all by next week, how excited!
DS is so sweet to offer staying with me instead of taking the free accommodation offered by the college! But I know he would love to meet new friends there and staying in before/after interviews is actually part of the precious experience. Therefore I 'counter offered' him to stay there for the night before interview and I will stay alone in the Airbnb nearby!