Oxbridge Applications 2019 (Part Three)

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

Hubble I've come across loads of variations. Ghastly interviews and great grades and aptitude tests. Really interesting PS and interviews and flaky (or on the cusp) grades. Honestly I don't think there's any one recipe for Oxford. I think it's massively dependent on subject and college (by which I mean tutors). That seems to me to be the only synthesis for the whole thing.

I have to say I'm amazed at the number of 'No's' today and last Wednesday as well. It's certainly unusual for MN. I'm with Aurea, wondering about the reason why, and whether there's a wholesale shift which has made itself felt.

congratulations and commiserations in equal measure. Anyone applying for choral scholarships?

There are many complex factors at play in admissions, some political; but the Colleges and tutors are aware that not everyone thrives at Oxbridge and one of their main aims is to try and identify those people.

Once today/this week is over, it will just feel like another point on the journey, whichever direction they are taking from today's junction. An offer from Oxbridge is a major achievement for those that were successful, but there are many more challenges ahead. Both my dc have had to put in far more hours at uni than they ever did at school, just to keep on top of the workload.

roisin it's obviously the political I'm wondering about. I don't think it's ever safe to say this is how it's always been so that's how it will be this year.

Thankyou Hubbles - I’m working and not back home until tomorrow - DD is ok or so she says ( I’ve no reason to disbelieve her ) and regardless of what Durham come back with likely to go to York as it’s in her words a nicer town and cheaper and easier to get home ( not that she would - just that she could ) . York only wants a ridiculous two A’s at A level - she already has an A* in maths taken a year early last year as she’s doing further maths this summer so I guess that’s the basis of their two offers although many universities will want a levels at the same sitting . Probably just as well I’m not home .

I agree goodbye that there is a synthesis of much information. But I have noted when everything else is in place a good interview will get an offer. A poor interview when everything else is in place may get you pooled.
When everything else is not in place a good interview can still get you an offer or more likely pooled.

Apart from one Cambridge offer, all Oxbridge candidates were rejected.
She goes to a small non selective private school but this is unusual for most to get rejected..

My DD goes to a state comprehensive. She already has A level Maths and Further Maths AS but still needs to get A*AA in the three she is sitting in the Summer.

ds goes to a state academy chain (ranging from good to special measures schools) which never gets anyone in. They have had visits from access reps in recent years.

Two offers this year. Lovely for the teachers as they really deserve it. Just hope it works out.. I do worry about any pressure on ds. He seems unfazed so far.

Kismetjayn what was the condition?

Bengalcathas your DD visited Durham?

Hubblesback she has yes - we went to an open day in the summer - she liked it at the time but presently seems to be seduced by York and home being more easily and cheaply accessible although you can fly from Newcastle in 45mins .

There is no rush to decide, The ball is in DD's court and she should take her time. Keep them waiting for a change.

@ShalomJackie I'm a mature student applying with results in hand so one of my conditions is the transcript of my results which makes sense, the other is completing a portfolio of essays to be set on May 1st which also makes sense, but my 3rd is to get distinctions in the 2 vocational short courses I am taking and discussed very briefly at interview having mentioned them in my PS.

The trouble is these courses are ungraded!

They're eligible for CATS credits if I pay an extra £10 but that's it. I've spoken to admissions and she says she'll speak with the DoS and that they can be flexible but it's very stressful to have been set a condition I physically can't meet...

Aurea- re state schools. I think there are simply good and bad years. DS's year had 5 successful Oxbridge offers and eventual places... quite unprecedented even in a school of nearly 2000 students; DD's year had none. DS's year had been strong throughout primary and secondary, and DD's were a right shower!

I have to say I'm amazed at the number of 'No's' today and last Wednesday as well.

Me too. I only have last year to go on but it seemed a much more positive picture last time (maybe I’m just viewing it through rose tinted glasses.) Commiserations for all who have not received an offer.

Hope everyone's dc are ok, whichever way it went. Dd got an offer, email came after school, from her application college. She had been checking on and off during the day, as others had heard much earlier. Brief email saying offer grade details etc to follow, is that the norm? After the initial euphoria she is back to the grindstone for an exam tomorrow and prepared to field the inevitable questions.

LIZS Well done to your DD. Yes I think it is the norm for offer conditions to come a bit later although my DD’s (standard) offer was sent today.

Kismetjayn

It seems they misunderstood about the courses and once they have your explanation they should relax that condition.

@shalomjackie
Thank you for the reassurance, I am sure you're right- it's just such a rollercoaster of emotions to go from 'hurray offer!' to 'but how?'

It will be sorted Kismet. Congratulations :)

I'm surprised at the number of no's too. I hope people are ok.

it took a few days for dd to get her actual offer requirements I think.

I just wanted to tune in and catch up as I've been at work all day. Thanks to those who commented on my 'misgivings' about DD's offer. It seems churlish to grumble when so many of you are grappling with painful disappointment. In answer to the comments, yes she would love fringe and drama opportunities as she is also doing drama A level and does dance outside school. I am sure she will join anything left wing or the eco warrior faction. She needs to find her tribe.
I have been following the drama of the twin candidates and I must say I felt some relief when Cambridge twin failed to get an offer in the light of Oxford twin's predicament. It is so hard to wish disappointment for someone but these are such unique circumstances. Having said that, Nettleskins astute comments stopped me in my tracks. I remember meeting a mum of twins when my daughter was doing tennis lessons. She had chosen not to enter them for the 11+ because she couldn't face being in a similar predicament! So difficult.
That said, I note that you haven't visited any of the other universities applied for and perhaps that is why Oxbridge has acquired this mythical status. You really need to get to the offers days and burst this bubble. I think one of the reasons we feel so flat about DD's offer is because we have visited 3 of the other universities applied for and loved them. We hadn't actually visited Cambridge and she chose her college on the basis of Googling which was the cheapest to live at.
This has been such a kind and informative thread. Our children are all going to great universities, Oxbridge or otherwise.

she chose her college on the basis of Googling which was the cheapest to live at.

They're generally the richest colleges!

Grandparents did not celebrate DS''s GCSE results because cousin of same age had done poorly. I felt so sorry for him and so agree completely with Nettleskeins!

Seriously Errol I did loads of online research into colleges using college websites and more informal sources like the Tab and she then spent about two minutes on Google to compare living costs - free laundry, costs of formals etc and hey presto, college chosen.