Oxbridge Applications 2019 (Part Three)

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

Commiserations to those who have not received offers. I'm sure you will go on to great things.

Amazingly, both Oxford applicants (one being my DS) from my son's non-selective Scottish state school received offers. That's 100% hit rate. The other offer was for a deferred place at Brasenose for PPE which is like gold dust, I understand.

That sounds odd Aurea. I didn't think Oxford allowed deferred entry?

We also know of many super clever boys from DS's school who didn't get offers today - and some bright boys, not in the genius category, who did! Demand certainly outstrips supply so luck and subjectivity are key factors.

Deferred entry is hard to achieve as you have to be regarded the best out of this year's applicants as well as potentially the best of the following year's.

The candidate in question won't be 18 until December 2019 which may explain why they have offered it.

8 offers from 60 potential interviewees is very interesting.

But disheartening when we comes from a school that only had a couple of Oxbridge interview invites.

Congrats to the others with good news on here and heartfelt commiserations to those who were disappointed.

Only four people at DD's school got offers for Oxford. She's at one of the top 10 comps for Oxbridge according to the Sutton Trust. They usually get between 30 and 40 in to Oxford and Cambridge per year. More people this year applied to Cambridge than Oxford and I don't know the overall figures, but it seems that an unusually low number were successful. I wonder if it's a funny year in some way.

I didn't think Oxford allowed deferred entry?

I think they do give deferred offers to some Scottish students who are a year younger than the U.K. norm, iirc a parent of one was one on the Oxbridge thread a couple of years ago too.

Yes, tutors are far more likely to give a deferred place to a Scottish student who is 16/17 than an English student who is 17/18 and looking for a year off on holidays.

My recollection (which maybe wrong) of the lad 2 years ago was that the deferral was actually Oxford's idea, rather than something he'd requested.

Shalomjackie is right - it’s not a rejection of them but a reflection of oversubscribed courses / colleges etc . Every child that had an interview was considered more than capable of getting a place . Considerations to those disappointed but as many of you have pointed out they’re in good company with others similarly affected . Like others I know lot of kids who went elsewhere are loved it .

There are loads of people with flawless results who haven’t got places.

Congrats and commiserations. I mentor young people from deprived communities and help them as far as I can with uni applications. Every year there is usually one who applies for Oxford and ever year I realise it really is pot luck if you get an offer. Being from a state school or disadvantaged background can really go against you some years and other years it seems to be an advantage. There is no guessing how they select. The kids I help I usually the only ones in their school applying and if they get offers are always overwhelmed and grateful. It really can be a life changing moment for them and their families.

And there will also a lot whose grades aren't flawless who have got places - so if that applies to any of your DC try to make sure they don't get 'imposter syndrome'.

The day after I suffer a blinking headache. And then I’m the mother of a child who got in! I must have been in more tension than I realised.im probably not the only one. So lots of love to all of you, to those who are now getting used to the idea that it really is happening, and to those who are dealing with their children’s or their own dissapointment.

Absolutely Errol. Those candidates clearly stood out in the process and deserve their places. I know several young people who are finding it hard to accept they deserve to be there and one who got a place but didn’t take it because she felt she wouldn’t fit in. That makes me feel really sad.
It’s fantastic to hear about the Scottish candidates who both got through. That’s an area that’s been grossly underrepresented and long may it continue!

Yes the deferred idea was Oxford's Errol It was a Scottish applicant applying for History at a PPH and he was 16. History or PPE are the subjects where a bit of extra maturity can matter. Maths obviously less so.

Very sorry to hear about DT2 Coleoptera - so hard for the whole family incl DT1 - also Lumpy's DD (also of course all the other DC of names I know less well).

This is just a theory but do you think if you have a great candidate choosing a niche subject they have a higher chance of an offer? I know it certainly is true in my experience out family and friends applying.

That is not to say it's an easier way in. Those applying for niche subjects are usually very passionate and dedicated to their less popular/ known subject. It would be interesting to hear from patents whose kids have offers for niche courses what they think.

I would say that the quality of applicant may well be even higher in niche subjects such as Classics and Oriental Studies so I'd tend to be more wary if anything. I don't think numbers of applicants: place give the whole picture with the possible exception of Oxford Medicine. DD4 is intending to apply next year, probably for an 'uncompetitive' course but I've already warned her to treat that label with the greatest caution.

Re-read your post Babbas. I'm not such a parent. My other DC have all applied for 'big' subjects.

Not in our case @babbas unfortunately... niche subject and didn’t get an offer - however our DD most certainly has ASD and can very easily be misunderstood when you don’t know her well. School has offered to tell admissions about DD social difficulties but she and we declined the offer. This has made me wonder (as DD has get the interviews had gone well & her gut is usually right tbf) whether we and she need to consider an actual dx now - as her Mum I’m beginning to feel concerned that for al her intelligence (IQ of >155) she is going to struggle in getting a job.

Sorry typos *had thought the interviews

Lumpy so sorry - what’s she interested in ?

A quick look at the Cambridge graph generator suggests that the more niche subjects simply tend to have fewer applicants per place, so on that basis there's more chance of an offer. That doesn't necessarily make it 'easier'; I'd guess it's harder to fake a genuine interest if you were trying to game the system. How do you sell yourself for Anglo Saxon, Norse and Celtic unless you're really into it, for example?

Errol - yes I agree. Those applying for any course at Oxford really have to be at the top of their game anyway. Applying for a niche subject is extra challenging.

Lumpy I'm sorry to hear about your dd she sounds like a great candidate. If it's any consolation my last boss sounds similar to your dd and she was brilliant at her job and very very well respected. I wonder if oxford do consider the additional info from schools re the child.

Lumpy - that's just what I've been worrying about re my ds.