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Original poster

Oxbridge 2020

999 replies

GinWorksForMe · 02/05/2019 14:15

Is it too early for an Oxbridge 2020 thread? I'm feeling in need of some hand holding through this process...

DS1 is going to apply to Cambridge for Maths. Doesn't know yet whether to name a college or put in an open application, so any tips gratefully received. We have visited two (very different) colleges and been to a Maths Open Day. It's unlikely we're going to have the opportunity to visit many more colleges as their open days seem to be on Saturdays and DS1 has a paid job Saturdays and Sundays.

Anyone else applying for Oxbridge for 2020 entry and want to share the journey?

OP posts:
Stickerrocks · 08/05/2019 07:53

www.ox.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures/admissions-statistics/undergraduate-students/current/course?wssl=1

Here you go for the Oxford link Hobbema and hopefully Cambridge is below. Whistl loves a good spreadsheet, so she can be our analyser in chief!

www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 08:00

www.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxford/Annual%20Admissions%20Statistical%20Report%202018.pdf

There's no obvious reason why the MN Oxbridge threads should have such a preponderance of applicants for Maths - or rather, it's about MN rather than general volume applying to those two unis for Maths (Cambridge has fewer applicants per place). History is always well represented too.

homoioi · 08/05/2019 09:04

Why does Oxford not publish for the smaller courses?

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 09:08

It does homoioi. Data by course is on p17.

homoioi · 08/05/2019 09:11

No it doesn’t @goodbyestranger
there are some courses missed out.

Arch&Anth
Ancient Hist
Hist&Engl

Those are some that I can think off the top
of my head.

homoioi · 08/05/2019 09:11

It only
has data for Oxford’s 25 largest courses

succulentleaf · 08/05/2019 09:17

Thinking about it, it’d be good if they did publish data for small courses like ancient history as often people look down on these as the easy way in. As it happens, ancient history has been more competitive than modern history for as long as I can recall!

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 09:41

succulent leaf there's also fluidity for the subjects mentioned - so applicants for History and French might be offered both or either etc, Ancient and Modern might be offered just the latter etc.

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 09:44

The cynic in me also wonders if the state school numbers are abysmal for those courses.

Dancingdreamer · 08/05/2019 12:57

There are some courses missed out

Arch&Anth
Ancient Hist
Hist&Engl

I am not sure if you just want the application stats or the information about state v private applications. The application stats on these courses is available, but you just have to dig around to find it.

For last year:
Arch&Anth, there were 101 applicants, 74 shorted and 27 offered
Ancient& Mod history there were 94, 72 and 26 plus 1 offered single history
Hist&Eng there were 108, 62,18 and 2 offered single history and 1 single English

Sorry if this wasn't what you wanted.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/05/2019 13:15

I think the Cambridge stats have the state/private figures per subject, but they have more 'portmanteau' courses rather than lots of specific this&that combined honours type things.

P 17/18

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/ugadmissionssstatistics20177cycle_4.pdf

HingleMcCringleberry · 08/05/2019 13:15

DS hates formality so can anyone advise which colleges to look at that are less formal and also state school friendly please?

I would just reiterate goodbyestranger's comment that you're not going to find a college that is 'state school hostile'. Part of the pleasure of higher education is to mix with people from lots of different backgrounds, and Oxbridge is no different. I appreciate that it is comforting to be with people who share a background with you, but equally it's great to meet a diverse crowd - after all, chances are you'll be working with lots of different types in the future, so might as well get some practice in early.

On the formal aspect, I think all colleges will have a degree of formality (in Oxford, the academic dress, sub fusc, is just such an example, you can't really escape it!) for certain events, but for others you can participate or not as you see fit. I probably wouldn't wear shorts to a tutorial, but only because your tutor might take the piss out of you ('I'm not sure I'm ready to see the McCringleberry knees' is how my tutor witheringly put it).

HingleMcCringleberry · 08/05/2019 13:16

Sorry, meant to say that was for spababe.

ErrolTheDragon · 08/05/2019 13:44

Part of the pleasure of higher education is to mix with people from lots of different backgrounds, and Oxbridge is no different. I appreciate that it is comforting to be with people who share a background with you, but equally it's great to meet a diverse crowd - after all, chances are you'll be working with lots of different types in the future, so might as well get some practice in early.

Yes. Lots of DDs pals are from overseas (mostly Far East and EU). The brits are a mix of backgrounds.

spababe · 08/05/2019 17:16

Thanks Errol and Hingle Can't say my DS would get into Murray Edwards as looks like just ladies but will check Fitzwilliam

Off to Google sub fusc

Stickerrocks · 08/05/2019 17:29

Don't worry spababe. Even if some of us took Latin in our youth, it's still gobbledygook most. It's the academic dress they make you wear for exams, graduation etc, because adding an extra layer of clothing on hot summer days obviously adds to the whole exam experience!

ErrolTheDragon · 08/05/2019 17:52

Off to Google sub fusc

Afaik its oxford terminology.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong but Cambridge students only wear their gowns (with dark suit/dress/white shirt and black skirt type of thing) for matriculation and graduation, and for 'formals'. (Not sure if what they wear under the gown for formals has to be particularly formal... may depend on college). They don't wear the gowns routinely or for exams.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AcademicdresssoftheeUniversityoff_Cambridge

The gowns are a bit different in detail for each college, they usually just buy one when they arrive. I don't think DDs was very expensive.

Pallando · 08/05/2019 18:15

No gowns for exams in Cambridge!! (Though it always used to be the case that the invigilators wore them - I assume that is still the case).

BasiliskStare · 08/05/2019 19:33

DS ( Oxford) had a gown for formals and some dinners and exams, Rubbish fabric and v light. After a prize then got a bigger gown, but still rubbish fabric and light. Would not put either of them near a lighted match Grin

ErrolTheDragon · 08/05/2019 19:35

DDs is ok fabric, but one size (doesn't) fit all Grin

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 19:49

The gowns are gossamer thin Stickerrocks so no need to worry on the overheating score - the word gown simply suggests heavily, wrongly. Also, the wearing of gowns is supposed to have some psychological benefit during exams - although there are intermittent campaigns to get rid of the things.

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 19:51

I simply cannot not do typos any more. Heavy. Not heavily.

Stickerrocks · 08/05/2019 20:13

Unlikely to be a problem for me to be honest. I have all the degrees etc that I need already, so I probably won't need to wear one!

goodbyestranger · 08/05/2019 20:26

Vicarious concern Stickerrocks! You sounded as though you had a view on gowns.