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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:
Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 27/09/2017 20:32

That's what I meant in terms of admissions tests Goodbye :)

I had no idea that we could pay to see the reference. Interesting. I'd have to make that dds choice as to whether she wanted to see it if it weren't offered to her. I won't bring it up unless she does.

I think dd will put hers in this weekend, I think we need to have another which college discussion before she does put it in, once she knows which college others are applying to. No one will ask each other though.

OP posts:
whiteroseredrose · 28/09/2017 19:57

Kitten DS's school let them see the whole application before it was sent off including reference. No cost.

voilets · 29/09/2017 07:11

DD has just received a SAQ. Advice on what sort of things to include would be appreciated

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 29/09/2017 08:08

It think it's the opportunity to demonstrate specifically why they want Cambridge and what it is about their learning style that shows they are a match made in heaven Voilets.

dd was already to press 'send' and college have decided they want to review everyone's college choice for Oxbridge. Which is fine, except it feels like it's a bit close to when the internal deadline is next week.

OP posts:
Hubble25 · 29/09/2017 11:02

This may be a bit premature but any of our young ones got offers yet?

Hubble25 · 29/09/2017 11:05

Not for Oxbridge obviously - but for other choices?

voilets · 29/09/2017 14:29

Thanks kitten.
ours went at 4pm yesterday. College issue was a bit scary really as
they 've advised her to go for one where they've had success in her subject but it is a top college I think- we know little, so she changed. I'm just hoping it is true as many threads have said that any college is okay - they'll pool you if you are good material! Sh ehad no strong feel for any college except maybe Kings but sh esaid that is just toooo prestigious !! What do we know? Grin
Too early for offers but I'm hoping on eor two next week - not sure if unis hold off just now.

voilets · 29/09/2017 14:30

sorry - Friday tiredness - so many typos above!

voilets · 29/09/2017 15:56

Also, can anyone tell me what is special about the Oxbridge teaching style?

How does it really work?

Did I hear right - 'no compulsory lectures?'

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 29/09/2017 17:32

I don't know about compulsory lectures?!
I think it's best to ask your dd why it is she wants oxbridge, the main difference is the tutorials.

OP posts:
Kimonolady · 29/09/2017 18:58

Hi all,
I've been reading the thread with interest - I graduated from Oxford myself some time in the last 3 years, and also do some occasional work tutoring applicants. I'm happy to answer any questions anyone has.
Just wanted to reply to voilets - lectures aren't compulsory at Oxbridge, but then again they're rarely compulsory at any university. Students are adults, and so should be in charge of their education - there's no-one taking the register to make sure you turn up. But if you don't go, you can expect to fail - so it's up to you.
In terms of what's different about the teaching, the main thing is that both Ox and Cam have tutorials (confusingly, Cambridge refer to them as "supervisions", but it's the same thing) which are usually an hour long session with just one or two students and the academic tutor. Other unis may claim they offer tutorials, but in reality these are small classes of about 8-15 students depending on the institution. So the main difference is that in Oxbridge, you will be taught one-on-one, or at least one-on-two, for at least an hour every single week. That small ratio, and all the extra attention, is what really differentiates Oxbridge from any other institutions in the UK. Hope that helps.

voilets · 29/09/2017 19:05

Thanks kitten but we don't know about Oxbridge and hope posters on here can enlighten.
DD wants a bit more knowledge about it . She fears there maybe extra pressure and wants to know what positives counteract that.
We know there are tutorials. Not sure about lectures. How often and long are the tutorials? Are they taught or is it about probing knowledge and assessing essays?

I'm being open in hope we will hear some experience.
At moment Cambridge may not be top of her list as strange as that may sound. She is ambitious and highly capable though.

voilets · 29/09/2017 19:07

Your post crossed Kimon. Very helpful. Sort of thing we want to hear. Very glad to hear there are essential lectures. This wasn't clear to us on open day.

ErrolTheDragon · 29/09/2017 19:30

We know there are tutorials. Not sure about lectures. How often and long are the tutorials? Are they taught or is it about probing knowledge and assessing essays?

That's obviously going to depend a lot on the subject. For engineering they're set problems and then go through them in the supervision, I believe.

Btw, back in the day chemistry at birmingham tutorials were 4:1, and I think I've seen similar ratios elsewhere in some stem subjects plus staff very available during labs... something for them to check up on for their other 4 choices. I think the oxbridge teaching style may be more unique for some subject than others.

voilets · 29/09/2017 20:47

okay thanks. DS has a heavy timetable for Eng. in an good RG. DD has been told between 8 and 12 hours contact for humanities in 4 other unis.

What kind of timetable is expected at oxbridge for Humanities? Anyone know?

Did read there are numerous lectures to choose from???

kaiserschmarrn · 01/10/2017 09:18

Hi all, I have been keeping my head in the sand about DS's Cambridge application as I'm dreading the stress but it's time to woman up. (I have been on some other long-term higher ed threads but have name changed recently. There's a cake theme.)

DS himself seems reasonably relaxed. He's applying for Maths at a large and popular college, because we took the uni at their word when they said choice of college won't affect your chances of a place.

PS is written (I was allowed to proofread it), and I'm ashamed to say I don't know for sure whether he has sent the UCAS form, though if I remember rightly from last time round, I think I would be asked for money at that point? His predicted grades are on target but of course the real challenge is STEP.

Other options are Warwick, Bath, Durham, Bristol. We didn't make the Bristol open day but will go if he gets an offer. I believe they interview - is that right?

The school are pretty clued up, and DS is not very communicative so I feel rather left out. (Went through the UCAS process three years ago with DD, who is much more talkative and open to advice.)

So nice to have this thread and be able to talk about it without feeling like I'm bragging.

ErrolTheDragon · 01/10/2017 10:37

Yes, there's a payment when they put their form in, £24 last year IIRC.

Interviews depend on subject as well as uni so not sure what Bristol does for maths. But if they don't then I'm sure they'll do an offer holders day - definitely worth looking around everywhere their seriously interested in IMO . Bristol was the one place DD had expected to like which left her underwhelmed but that was the specific department rather than the place as a whole. Something I can maybe say here which I wouldn't on other threads is that Bristol, along with Durham, has a reputation which may be overrated depending on the subject . It can be instructive to look at the QS rankings for the subject if you want to assess international reputation.

HeyBells · 01/10/2017 14:41

Kaiserschmarn (love the name) your DS sounds like mine on the non-communication front. He has revealed he has now chosen which college to apply for - Churchill for Natural Sciences. I have been allowed to proof read his PS, not sure if he's taken up my suggestions though, mostly about punctuation. Not been asked for any money yet but I know he has asked the school to register for the assessment. I'm not entirely sure which other universities he's thinking of, will be for Physics.

Thanks for the tip about QS ratings Errol, Durham and possibly Bristol are on the list I think so will look into that.

Str4ngedaysindeed · 01/10/2017 15:01

Heybells - same as my DS! He has sent his form off now, with UCL, Nottingham, Exeter and Sussex and the other choices. He's taking the natsci exam on November 2nd.

Str4ngedaysindeed · 01/10/2017 15:02

*as the other choices!

BasiliskStare · 02/10/2017 06:11

Re contact time and tutorials - Ds ( Oxford) had 1 on 2 tutorials weekly for his first 2 years. For his specialist subject ( 2nd yr) 1 -1 ( but I don't believe weekly. Lectures I guess he can go to or not. The contact hours would not necessarily sound overwhelming but I have seen some of the feedback / marking he gets on essays and it's impressive ( possibly a better student would not need so much feedback Grin ) - I think 1st year he had to submit 3 essays per fortnight - but I think it varies. ( He's History) - I mean the subject - he's still around. Smile

Maladicta · 02/10/2017 22:48

Well that's it gone in. Thanks so much for that earlier recommendation OYBBK, talking to the tutor really helped dd clarify what she wanted to do.

She's applied to Selwyn for MML, French and Russian, with St Andrews, Edinburgh, Warwick and Exeter as her other options. There isn't really a safe option in there but I think if she doesn't get what she wants she'd rather reapply than go to somewhere she didn't like the course.

Now the waiting begins....

StephanotisFloribunda · 03/10/2017 08:21

DS has pressed send on his application too - another physics hopeful. I just hope it doesn't come back from the HOY with lots of changes!

It seems as though the school is being tougher on predicted grades than they were three years ago when DD went through the uni application process. Some of DS's friends are disappointed and having to re-think their choices.

This time next month they will have done their entrance exams... Eek!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/10/2017 08:51

I’m really glad Maladicta :)
dd is still waiting for her college approval, then she can press send. This waiting is making me anxious, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of this year!

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itinerant · 03/10/2017 09:03

Still waiting for final approval from School Head here as well. DS remarkably unfazed - me, not so much. Hopefully not too many changes suggested and then his form will go to UCAS at the end of the week.

DS has shown me this for PPE
https://www.ppe.ox.ac.uk/images/coursestatistics/ppeewebsitecourseestatistics16-177_final.pdf which really drives home how competitive it is to get in. He’s still pretty unfazed though!