Oxbridge Applications 2019 (Part Three)

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Today is a big day for many... time for a new thread too

*but

It is natural to look for reasons for why certain DC did not get an offer but now is not the time to cast doubt on the intellectual abilities of those who were successful. Time to be magnanimous I feel.

Ds got in second time around and I agree the feeling is different. More of a "phewph" than a "yay!"

Having another go is a considerable investment of time and mental resources. Not everyone is a gap yah type of person. Ds certainly wasn't. Furthermore the interviews were very different the second time; no asking about essays/stuff studied etc, and more discussions on wider post A Level reading about the subject. Plus I think your results have to exceed their standard offer, so as not to waste anyone's time.

Sorry powergower I think I may have misinterpreted what you said.

Totally agree Irma. DC went into the process this time with what can only be described as outstanding exam results. I don’t think I could have really advised him to contemplate having another go if he hadn’t exceeded the standard offer. It’s doable but I get the impression it’s getting to the stage where tutors must be struggling to put a cigarette paper between all these candidates. And definitely more ‘phew’ (or even Thank F – – K for that) than ‘yippee’.

My DS got an offer for VetMed at Cambs. Super proud of him. He's worked hard and (imho, naturally) deserves it. Just Edinburgh to interview for, which he's also keen on and that's that done. Not a squeak from Bristol since the holding letter in November...but he's not bothered now👍🏻. Offer from Liverpool received before Christmas..Just got to stop his head getting too bloody big..😂😂💕.

Do the yay and yippee thing. It is an amazing achievement whenever!! Go celebrate!!!

Well done Potterygirl DS!

What are the conditions on the offers?
I've got a really weird one and a bit worried.

Potterygirl Vetmed - fabulous

It would be interesting to learn which offers are from non selective state schools versus grammar/independent.

My son's school (non selective state 12 -18 school) had three Oxbridge candidates, all of whom were successful (one being my DS). Is this significant in your eyes? Usually the school will have one successful applicant every couple of years.

Congrats and commiserations equally to all DCs.

Those statistics will be published in due course, but I think not till some time after A level results.

More state children applying probably Aurea. Can come down to particular cohort, support of teachers/parents, self-belief etc. The criteria for entry remain the same but you have to be in it to win it so to speak.

And Oxford had a specific request asking for Scottish applicants on their website.

Sorry - that was in no way a dig! I realise it may sound like that!!

Well done to those who got offers from the other place, for those who didn’t consider trying Oxford

I’d like to use some much loathed anecdotal evidence for people’s points about needing to exceed the minimum grade requirements. I’m in no posistion to comment on Cambridge, but they do seem more focussed on churned out A*s. Oxford on the other hand are more interested in whether you are good at the subject.

DD got in post a level with ‘just’ AAA

Rather they encouraged people from all backgrounds to apply.

Rather harsh on Cambridge applicants windowframe. You can get all A*s and be good at your subject obviously.
I think it is usual for successful reapplicants to Oxford to exceed standard offer. Well done to your DS though - I suspect very strong interviews.

Hubble yes I think you may have misread my post. I've said all along that it is really impossible to predict what the interviewees want. Every single candidate is without doubt exemplary. Personally I feel that after such a seemingly objective process (grades, additional entry exams, predicted grades) at the very end it does seem to boil down to a subjective decision made by the people interviewing on the day. The process cannot be completely objective but the subjective element means that the candidate who ticks every box and then some might not still get a place. The end result is that every single interviewee has done remarkably well to get to that stage in the first place.

Yes powergower but the interview is the biggest 'tickbox' of all. Everything else needs to be in place- but the interview is the deciding factor. Harsh but true.

"Oxford on the other hand are more interested in whether you are good at the subject."

It certainly was the case with DD's boyfriend who only got 1 A* at GCSE. He did well enough in the HAT test to get an interview and received an offer. It all went pear shaped on results day though.

I’m with you Hubble on the interview being a major decider - mine goofed her second at Cambs so a rejection was sadly no surprise to either of us

Hope you are both doing okay Bengalcat.

Apologies I didn’t mean to come across as harsh towards tabs

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