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Original poster

Drop out of uni and accept Oxford offer?

18 replies

veraaloe · 12/01/2018 00:24

Currently at a top uni but didn't feel settled at all at the start but now is settling in..

Got into his first choice Oxford college so obviously now unconditional as has grades..

Prefers the Oxford course but fears it's degree name is ever so slightly less prestigious sounding than from his current institution.

Should he just grin and do another 2.5 years or should he cut losses and take up his Oxford offer?

OP posts:
NoCureForLove · 12/01/2018 00:31

Really? You can apply to Oxford while already studying for a degree at another University? I am surprised.

senua · 12/01/2018 08:15

Got into his first choice Oxford college so obviously now unconditional as has grades.

Surely that was an offer to start 2017/18, not an open invitation for all time?Confused
He would need to re-apply but you must know that he has missed the deadline (by nearly three months!) for 2018/19 admission.

Pagwatch · 12/01/2018 08:18

Say what now?

frogsoup · 12/01/2018 08:25

He really shouldn't be choosing a course based on how prestigious or otherwise its name is! Besides which, as others have said, it's not an open offer for all time! If he refused a place when it was offered, he'd have to apply again - but not for next year as he's missed the boat for that.

MrsSchadenfreude · 12/01/2018 08:28

What?

Motheroffourdragons · 12/01/2018 08:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on behalf of the poster.

Backingvocals · 12/01/2018 08:32

I would. Other than for very specific courses. Especially as he’s not happy where he is.

Needmoresleep · 12/01/2018 08:37

Is he at a US University, or somewhere else outside the UK? Otherwise it is hard to see how a better course at Oxford would very much less prestigious.

If US, then Oxford is cheaper.

ApacheEchidna · 12/01/2018 08:44

If he thinks prestige of degree title means anything then he's not cut out for Oxford.

To thrive at Oxford you need to love your subject so much that you would cheerfully study it every waking hour and begrudge having to stop for boring things like sleeping and eating.

Nb he may have a year where he has to pay full non-subsidised fees and can't get a student loan as he will have used up one of his funded years on this false-start.

goodbyestranger · 12/01/2018 08:50

Apache that description of an Oxford student mindset is massively over the top and probably wholly unrepresentative of the vast majority.

I think he'll just have to take on an extra year of debt at normal prices. Student finance give an extra year for 'false starts'.

Totally his choice OP. If he'd be happier overall do it, if he's had second thoughts, don't. Clearly the whole prestige thing is finely balanced so it's down to likely enjoyment of either experience I'd have thought.

frogsoup · 12/01/2018 09:35

'Presumably he has reapplied this year for Oxford, and the question is should he leave his current uni, and go to Oxford in the autumn.'

Ah ok that makes more sense. Forget prestige, think interest/enjoyment. Ok that description was a bit over the top, but all the same you do need to be reasonably committed to get through the workload of an Oxford degree.

Backingvocals · 12/01/2018 10:06

To thrive at Oxford you need to love your subject so much that you would cheerfully study it every waking hour and begrudge having to stop for boring things like sleeping and eating

That is so far from how it is that I hardly know what to say Grin

BasiliskStare · 13/01/2018 02:03

Heh heh - Ds really likes his subject but were it a choice between eating and studying - eating would win every time ( and indeed other stuff. )

But yes I don't actually understand ( unless I have misread ) how you can apply for Oxford whilst being somewhere else i.e. another university at the time . And if he turned down a place - well - he turned it down and would have to reapply ( am I being completely dim here ? )

Want2bSupermum · 13/01/2018 02:06

He applied for a reason and of course he should go. If I were him I'd be looking at stopping at the current place and working to make up the money lost this year. He could also consider travel if he has the money.

Original poster
veraaloe · 17/01/2018 14:07

Yes he reapplied whilst at university; Oxford allow it although I don't believe they look to favourably on it.

He just feels that he is now feeling more settled and has good friends. Perhaps he has adjusted to the environment.

It is a risk, the family is split on what to advise him to do. He doesn't feel motivated to work at current place, so perhaps it's that he just wants to live in the city and that is what he's reluctant to leave.

He is at KCL at the moment.

OP posts:
Whensday · 17/01/2018 14:11

To thrive at Oxford you need to love your subject so much that you would cheerfully study it every waking hour and begrudge having to stop for boring things like sleeping and eating.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Er, sorry to burst that bubble but I can categorically state that to be complete and utter bollocks!

TabbyTigger · 17/01/2018 15:16

To thrive at Oxford you need to love your subject so much that you would cheerfully study it every waking hour and begrudge having to stop for boring things like sleeping and eating

As an Oxford graduate I can safely say that my priorities while there were

  1. Eating
  2. Sleeping
  3. Socialising
  4. Netball
  5. Studying

I think he has to look about what he’d regret more - would he miss KCL and regret dropping out more than he’d regret not taking the Oxford option?

BubblesBuddy · 17/01/2018 15:46

Oxford trumps KCL in terms of prestige and the course surely?

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