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.

Then that case don't talk about him with details that would lead to identification. That is what I try to do. Having a private group does not guarantee that all details will be kept private.

Can I just say that the saddest thing about last year's thread was that some people obviously felt they had to leave after news in January. I don't really understand why as the thread then became about A levels and getting ready for uni. I think it would be better if the thread could stay more inclusive as the concerns of parents are going to be the same. Of course there will be Oxbridge specific questions but then I'm guessing that would be the case for other universities too. I know some people will feel disappointed by the result so they might not want to stay on the thread but there were others who left reluctantly which is a shame.

We can make it a level thread ...

Fair comment Hubbleisback, but there are other threads for a level parents. Would you want to hang around in a thread that must surely be tinged with a bit of sadness for what might have been?

I was on one of these threads when DS applied to Cambridge a few years ago. It was very helpful up to the point of offers / rejections in January but after that I think I moved over to the general "Uni 2019" thread. There everyone had the same thing in common - a child taking A levels and heading to a university, hopefully their first choice but sometimes their insurance.

DS got an offer but it was for Maths at Cambridge and he failed to meet the STEP grade (as many do, they tend to make far more offers in Maths than they have places). Unlike Oxford where the Maths test is taken before the offer the STEP is done after A levels so there is much less certainty about where they will end up.

I do understand that Hingle but people had been through so much together it did feel like a wrench.

But presumably they wrenched themselves, no? Can’t imagine anyone was saying ‘wait a second, you don’t belong here!’ and shoving them out. That would be horrible.

Yes you are right but they were directed to another thread out of thoughtfulness I am sure. It all seemed very sudden though - here today -gone tomorrow. I guess I'm too sentimental.

Just been reading through this thread with interest as I and my DD was in the same position last year. Interesting reading about contextual offers, I was under the impression this was pre interview and at interview everyone was equal at this stage and all offers were made soley on admission tests and interview? Good luck to all your DC's btw!

I'm very happy to go with the flow come January. I don't know the outcome for Dd yet, so don't know how we will feel.

The caveat I would give at this stage is that, having a specific thread that I could search and then read through was incredibly useful for a novice. I read, when time allows, the one from the previous years cohort even now. This place alone has given us more knowledge and advice than any other source, and that includes school - a state one not fully au fait with the process. I'm very grateful for those who have been through the process hanging about and sharing their advice.

Dd reads this thread and is therefore aware and comfortable with what I post. She knows I wouldn't post anywhere else such as IG, Facebook or the like etc. I guess you could identify us if you really tried but we are very boring so I can't imagine why folk would!!

Interviews nearly over for most I expect. Was very grateful last year that after the kerfuffle of Christmas the interview results/offers come quickly. It helps to put it to bed and move on.

Good luck all. Nerve wracking but exciting. We were not expecting an offer or DD wasn't. She got a thump in her heart when she opened the email.
Merry Christmas

I think it varies each year - any Oxbridge-specific stuff fizzled out 'my' year but we've a nice general one still going.

I’m with @justanothermile the privacy..dd knows I post here and whilst she hasn’t read the thread I have more or less told her what I post and bits that other do that might be relevant to her. I think she’s found it helpful too as she only has her own experience to go on and those she met whilst there.

Me too Lumpy. My DC are fairly identifiable for anyone at their school or college purely on account of volume, but it's only in the past few months that I've named our geographical area and I've never joined in discussion apart from at the application stage - certainly never broached anything even remotely personal about them ever. I've also always held back on naming any college until after they've left. They don't mind at all that I post, given my approach. They would if I intruded into the details of their lives while at Oxford though.

If it helps those worrying about extra Oxford interviews at other colleges - DS had one two years ago. He is now in his second year and got the top mark in college for the first year exams. So with hindsight I assume he was a strong candidate, though we certainly neither knew nor assumed that at the time.

DD is on her way home now.

No one was pooled from her college, although they were all interviewed yesterday by another for standardisation.

Does this mean anything, or nothing at all?

DS has finally arrived home after 3 nights in Oxford.
He had 2 interviews with his chosen college and one with another, which was the minimum. The questions were 100%about Maths, not a word about the personal statement.
He felt that it was a fair process, he didn't embarrass himself, so if he doesn't get it, it wasn't meant to be.

But he admits he'll be a bit cross if his friend gets in and he doesn't.

Also, will feel a bit bad if he gets in, and friend misses out, as he thinks they are about equal.

DD2 has her interviews at Cambridge tomorrow. DH has taken her there this evening and she's staying in her chosen college overnight. I would have loved to have gone but had some twilight training I could not miss today and then a full teaching day tomorrow.

She was interviewed at one of her 5 choices on Saturday and has received an unconditional offer providing she makes them her firm choice. She is thrilled to bits and is now fairly relaxed about the Cambridge one. If Cambridge makes her an offer, great. If they reject her, she will firm up the unconditional one (well that's her thinking today....)

Good luck to your daughter malbecfan .
Mine is home now , was exhausted yesterday .4 interviews in total , all maths based . Now let’s go decorate that x mas tree 🌲.

Good luck today to your daughter Malbec, fingers crossed.

Well done also Rianna to your DS, and choc. All done now until January at least.

coleoptera - DD feels the same as your DT. She met a whole bunch of lovely people with whom she really gelled and was sad to leave. They've also formed a group chat. DD says she's be sad for herself to not receive an offer but happy for any of these guys too. They stayed up until 2.30 am on Tuesday night, so she was shattered when she got home!