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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:
Icouldbeknitting · 07/10/2017 15:46

Kitten was TSR no help?

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/10/2017 16:43

I’ll send her that way. Good idea :) not today though, I think she might lob her laptop at me.

OP posts:
AnnaBegins · 07/10/2017 18:28

Maladicta I did French and Russian at Cambridge and selwyn is a fab college which takes lots of russianists so great choice. My dissertation supervisor (linguistics) was from selwyn.

Any questions about Cambridge or MML please feel free to ask or PM me. I'm burying my head in the sand that it's 10 years since I started there!

HeyBells · 07/10/2017 20:23

OYBBK I seem to recall looking at the SAQ guide on the Cambridge university website and I think it said put all (i.e. FM as well) modules under maths.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/10/2017 20:38

We thought that was the results bit Heybells, but we have finally established you do the same for the class size/topics covered bit too.

So it would be
maths, a level ums year 12, class size, list of modules
maths, a level ums year 13, class size, list of modules up to dec.

We think.....

Only query is for year 12 does she call it AS ums or A level ums.

OP posts:
user918273645 · 07/10/2017 21:04

we had read anecdotally that they didn't look at the ps for maths, just their grades

For most maths courses ps won't play a role, but that doesn't mean that admissions teams don't look at it at all.

For Cambridge maths the ps doesn't play a significant role, relative to marks, interview performance, performance in interview maths problems/tests but of course the academics interviewing do read it - and often use it for "warm up" questions.

It would be usual to list examination board, module and UMS achieved. It is of course well known to academics interviewing for maths that the grouping of modules between maths/FM is not decided yet.

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 07/10/2017 21:44

thanks User :) you are being so helpful on these threads and I really appreciate it.

OP posts:
Maladicta · 08/10/2017 00:26

Thanks Anna! I'll let dd know :)
Her biggest hurdle will be getting the A she needs in German so she started a course at the Goethe Institut. Unfortunately today's session had the distraction of helicopters and whatever outside due to the NHM incident :(

itinerant · 08/10/2017 16:07

UCAS application is in and automatic notices of acknowledgement received from his universities!! Let the waiting begin....

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 08/10/2017 17:29

Excellent Itinerant!

OP posts:
Hubble25 · 09/10/2017 23:33

Anybody got any advice for TSA essay quesstion? Are they looking for a particular structure??

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/10/2017 07:41

bump for you Hubble.

OP posts:
itinerant · 10/10/2017 08:27

DS has asked an English teacher to review a couple of his TSA essay attempts (he’s not taking English so I don’t know why he asked her). Anyway all I know is she said they are basically fine but that he needs to “use fewer prepositions”!!! Not much help I’m afraid - I’ve just suggested he focus on timing and try a few more.

alreadytaken · 10/10/2017 12:07

SAQ is where those who are applying for one of the odd Cambridge courses can explain why they really want to do that instead of the general courses that they have had to apply for elsewhere. You can use it to expand your personal statement with more discussion of something about the course but you dont have to do so.

Newchick · 10/10/2017 15:13

Thanks all for useful tips upthread. DS is applying to Cambridge, Bristol, Nottingham, Liverpool and Leicester to read Geography. The school seems to be faffing a lot getting their bit done. Also we’ve got my father in law’s funeral this Thursday (it’s been a hell of a few weeks 😞) and I’m really hoping the school can get the application submitted today so we can focus on the funeral. Life goes on....

ErrolTheDragon · 10/10/2017 15:47

SAQ is where those who are applying for one of the odd Cambridge courses can explain why they really want to do that instead of the general courses that they have had to apply for elsewhere.

Or of course, in the case of Engineering or Nat Sci why they want to do a broader course than their other choices might be.

Flowersnewchick. I'm sure the school knows the deadlines, hope they get their finger out. My DN did geog. at Cambridge, sounded like a really interesting course.

HesMyLobster · 10/10/2017 15:51

Sorry to hear that NewChick.
This process can feel all-consuming at times, and must be very difficult when something so huge and devastating happens in real life.
I hope the funeral goes as well as it can, and that it’s not needlessly overshadowed by application worry. Flowers

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 10/10/2017 16:55

Newchick - I am sorry :( it must all feel overwhelming.

OP posts:
Newchick · 10/10/2017 17:40

Thanks for nice words - much appreciated. My head has definitely been spinning with it all. Yes am sure school will meet deadlines - it’s partly down to communication Bermuda Triangle that is my DS!

itinerant · 10/10/2017 18:30

Hope you’re all ok Newchick

voilets · 10/10/2017 18:47

Best wishes to you all newchick.

We haven't done SAQ here yet - or statement part. I'm scared to remind as she snaps at me so easily and am trying to keep house cool for her! Wink

I presume a TSA is the exam paper. My DD has to do two so she's done a couple. Luckily, she doesn't seem stressed about them. More concerned about keeping on top of her studies which is a good sign.

It's a hard time for them. Was looking wistfully at baby pictures - seems so long ago!

Original poster
OhYouBadBadKitten · 12/10/2017 20:24

How’s everyone going?

dd submitted her SAQ today. I’m a bit nervous that college haven’t double checked it but dd reckons it’s all correct. Fingers crossed. So next stop late November to see if she gets an interview. She hasn’t heard from any uni so far rather than acknowledgments.

OP posts:
MrsGuyOfGisbo · 12/10/2017 20:37

Hi, just seen this!
DS applied to Oxford - we haven't seen his PS.
I have a friend who is a fellow there ( different college and entirely different subject) who told me years ago that he is not interested in the PS other than possibly as an ice-breaker at interview, as they have all been worked over by parents/schools etc so mostly meaningless.. All he cares about is whether the person is genuinely interested in the subject, is likely to work hard and has potential to get 1st.

tyunnos · 13/10/2017 09:05

Does anyone have any advice between picking Lincoln and St John’s College for Classical Archaeology and Ancient History?

Fionnbharr · 13/10/2017 09:11

@Mrs Guy

Similar person told me that as most candidates who made it to interview were first class students capable of aceing the courses she asked herself two questions

  • Could I bear to teach this person for three years? in which case they were offered a place.
  • Would I enjoy teaching this person for three years? - in which case they got a scholarship

I really do think there is a huge element of luck in all of this. Which is why everyone should anticipate not getting a place and should not feel disappointed if they are turned down. And anyone who is selected should resist the temptation to feel they are special.