Oxbridge applications 2019 (part two).

[Justanothermile]

New thread, I hope it's okay to start one.

Good luck today for those still waiting for interview news, which includes us.

Congratulations to those already with dates.

More and more I'm preferring the Cambridge application process to the Oxford one where there can be lots if waiting and wondering what that mean, or being sent hone straight away and wondering the same thing.

Short and sweet and well organised was how it went yesterday for DD. She had 30 minute interviews that touched on lots of things inc her PS. She feels she presented herself well and when challenged she was able to discuss the opposite side of what she had written to balance her point. A few quirky questions from the history man. And she seemed to have liked the interview panel... one told her something she'd written in her PS had tickled him and made him laugh.

I found this interesting the first time I read it
www.theguardian.com/education/2012/jan/10/how-cambridge-admissions-really-work

My dd took work with her - think she may have even done a tiny bit in amongst all the activities laid on

it may be that Cambridge moves more towards the palaver of Oxford, as it has done with aptitude tests.

Yes, I've been wondering about this. Ds had to be there on Tuesday from 9.30 - 5.30 (two interviews, two hour admissions test) which is a full day really. His journey was about 2 3/4 hours door to door, so doable in a day, but it would have been much more pleasant to have had it staggered over two days, and also given him more chance to see what living in Cambridge is actually like.

I assumed that some of the additional interviews are for moderation, to try to eliminate bias by different colleges/interviewers.

So if a candidate falls bang in the middle of "yes we'll have him" at the first college, another college might take a look and see if they assess them equally.

Even a "no-chance" at one college could deserve a second chance at another college, after all they've all got excellent predictions and excellent references etc. So if someone does really badly at the first interview, maybe it's the interviewers at fault, or maybe the selection process failed.

Obviously a borderline candidate should be looked at for another college if their first choice is full up, etc. etc.

So you can't read anything into the number of interviews.

I do think that Oxford is a better experience, in that you know you'll be hanging around and they provide lots of food and accommodation.

"Maybe DC who are worried could take A level work with them if they are that concerned"

Yes I expect they do - and indeed atia's did! Though they're still missing the actual teaching - which I understand some dc do find valuable! Even more so with mocks coming up.

I do agree Oxbridge candidates will be able to catch up though - but imrl I've heard that students do find it stressful to take so much time away, at an already stressful stage in their lives. (Other students don't of course, including some on this thread!) Maybe some would say if you apply to Oxford you have to be able to cope with a lot of stress anyway, and it sounds as though there is some truth in that!

On other threads (for obvious reasons!) some pp have said their dc decided not to apply because of the application process (not just the interviews though). It would be interesting to know whether anyone has done a study of to what extent it's the application process that accounts for a lower rate of applications from comprehensive sixth forms. Interesting letter from head of KCS Wimbledon on the admission process in the Times today and how it might be reformed (though I realise it will be behind a pay wall!)

Gosh - really interesting article. Not sure if I am glad I read it or not! The idea that ds's future can be decided like that in a moment around a table is both fascinating and very very scary!

Can someone please summarise the article in the Times.

Coleoptera,

I think the interviewers have to play it flat. That means little smiling, minimal social niceties, no chit-chat. This can be disconcerting.

FWIW, my son said neither of his two interviewers (separate) smiled.

Here's a similar article about the Oxford process:

www.timeshighereducation.com/blog/alan-rusbridger-lifting-lid-oxford-admissions

(Not that I've been able to unpick DS's experience by reference to it)

I think if you really want to go to Oxbridge then the application process should not put you off. If it does it really may not be for you. If missing 3 days of schooling is causing so much stress then that may also be an indicator. I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but for many it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Our DD said that she found the interviewers At St Johns and Winchester (Oxford) friendly and personable towards her. Her last interview ran over due to the interviewer chatting with her about her being the eldest of 8 children. I suspect it’s very dependent on personalities how “friendly” a person appears.

Mocks are useful Everincreasing but not really significant. My DS got some Ds in those and is at Oxford (nothing to do with missing lessons as he caught up with those quickly). He enjoyed his experience at Oxford though, despite at least one really bad and upsetting. interview. . Pleased to hear some students value teaching Even - means my career has not been a complete waste of time!

I was more of a wreck Coleoptera so don't beat yourself up.

Sorry I meantEver.

I think you mean Worcester Lumpy.

More detail about friendliness in my son's interviews.

Both interviewers acted similarly in their respective interviews.

No introduction. No handshake. No smiling.

Just maths.

I am very much with Hubble on this. Regarding mocks and other school activities - I don’t think anything from now on makes a blind bit of difference! The only thing that matters is the DC to prepare and sit successfully the exams. What they have on tests, mocks etc will not affect the big picture one bit, so my advice to my DD is not to stress about any of it at all! Children, who apply to Oxbridge are usually conscientious and hard working, so no need to press them to perform, they do it anyway!

TheFrendo - that should not surprise you at all, it comes with the territory. People doing maths and computer science are usually the socially inept lot. no offence intended, but I work with this type and know what they are like. The lack of social skills is by no means representative of their usually good nature and pleasant temperament as individuals! I would be surprised if Maths interviews are actually friendly and enjoyable. The enjoyment in it comes after they have managed to solve a problem successfully.
I remember interviewing a post grad applicant once with an academic, who made the poor applicant sweat so much on the maths problems, he had to change his shirt by the end of his interview.

Agreed about mocks. My ds is working extremely hard but he is not revising for mocks (which are week after next). He said he will use than as a way to see what he remembers and what he needs to focus on more between now and summer exams. He says that is a much better use of them and he doesn’t care what his Mark is on them - only on the actual exams.

@Hubbleisback yes Worcester 🤦🏼‍♀️ I have a friend who’s son goes to Winchester College 😬

I've sat and read both articles. I think I'm better not knowing in truth. I've no issue with the process for either Cambridge or Oxford in terms of the practicalities of differentiating post interview between what, realistically for many applications, are such small margins - I think I just find it a bit bizarre thinking this will be DD's next week.

Puzzled I confess, DS is studying Maths and fits the description entirely😁. He even chose universities that didn't interview.....Strangely, he's thriving at university and has really come out of himself.

I don't think that Oxbridge, or the application process, is for everyone but the students are well aware of this I think in the majority when they initially apply. However, I do wonder if the way Oxford do it makes it easier to see whether the life suits you or not though?

This thread is making me very nostalgic for my long lost youth.The days of the 4 term Oxford exam - ie. taken in the Autumn before A levels. The interview timetable was very similar to now although not much pooling went on in those days.
I remember clearly hearing the post drop through the letter box the week before Christmas. There was only one brown envelopes amongst the Christmas cards and it was plump with several sheets of paper. I pretty much knew before I opened it that I had got a place. Two EEs at A level was all that was required. That's not a typo. It really was 2 EEs once you passed the the entrance exam.
Good luck and hope your DCs all enjoy Christmas and have good news in January

I should have replied Lumpy, to the post about the eight DC. I see now that I didn't. It's a long time since my youngest was two!

Justanothermile - After I posted, I thought that people might take my “description” of the mathsy type kids offensive! I am glad you did not, as it was really not intended to be in any way! It is true that they are more shy and not as outgoing as others, but that makes them the special, super clever brains that they are! Besides, as I said, I work with these young people and I find that once they find their group and place, they are actually very happy and thrive and achieve very highly!

Mateysmum - 2 EEs- wow imagine that!

After I posted, I thought that people might take my “description” of the mathsy type kids offensive! I am glad you did not, as it was really not intended to be in any way! It is true that they are more shy and not as outgoing as others, but that makes them the special, super clever brains that they are!

Not offended, but as a perfectly socially acceptable person with an Oxford maths degree (well, half maths ) and a family (birth and married into) of mathematicians of varying degrees of normality, lol, and a very mathsy, chatty, confident ds, maybe we could caveat your assertions as being about some mathsy type kids?

Atia - absolutely! Agree wholeheartedly! It is by no means generalisation