Oxbridge 2020

[GinWorksForMe]

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?

Also encourage her to take a look at the Cambridge HE+ website, which is the home of one of their outreach programmes. It includes lots of activities which they can follow to boost their experience, essentially prodding them in the right direction if they don't have a whole host people around them who can act as mentors. Even though it is probably too late to do them now, they should boost DGD's confidence because she will have been undertaking similar activities and she will see that her experience is valid and should be included in her application.

My DC picked up some good ideas from the law & history HE+ programmes and they definitely seem to want to help develop transferable skills if your DGD's subject doesn't have a section of it's own.

I'm guessing she's enjoying Psychology then Sostenuto ! I find looking back at GCSEs quite odd. On the one hand, it only seems like five minutes ago. On the other hand, DD has grown up so much in the last 12 months. And she's fine from being a bit of an all rounder to really discovering that maths is the thing that excites her.

Thing is it would be fantastic if dgd got into Cambridge of course but there are Unis elsewhere with the same high criteria for her course she is interested in. Cambridge is not the be all or end all and in my humble opinion should never be. That goes for Oxford too. You never know what's round the corner or what happens in real exams. My dgd has been very I'll and still battles with severe fatique due to her treatment a d dropped one A level for that reason though predicted A* in that too which maybe dropped her chance a bit more for Cambridge but she would be happy at any of her other choices. After all not every applicant can get in to Oxbridge a d there are simply 100s so they do end up going elsewhere and succeeding just as much. Sometimes and I too are at fault here, whether too much emphasis is put on the prestige of saying hey my DC is at Oxbridge rather than thinking is that really for them?

Yep chicken but geography dept very upset she gave that up! and math dept disappointed she's not going the maths route lol! There's no pleasing some she's got into biology too especially dissections!

Thanks hog

All the problems your DGD has faced need to be addressed by the school in their reference, emphasising the resilience she has shown.

Meanwhile you only need to look at the posts made this week along the lines of "my DC got 4 x A star and we're delighted they've got a place at ..." to confirm that going to a university to study something they find fascinating is the goal for the vast majority. Everyone has their own fit, where they know they will feel comfy.

Yes that's true hog but what happens if they don't get in? I'm a born pessimist so I always have plan a,b,c,d,e,f

I've prepared dgd for any disappointment by telling her to think not am I good enough for...... But is it good enough for you!

School is aware and hopefully will put in hog

Your DGD ticks so many boxes. Just make sure she follows the golden rule of 1 or 2 aspirational, 2 or 3 realistic and 1 safe.

Showing my age now, but despite having very strong predicted grades when I applied to university, I went against my school's advice and put in the application form for Polys as well the one for universities. They knew I was wasting my money, but I had exactly the same "what if" scenarios running around in my head as you.

www.cambridgestudents.cam.ac.uk/cambridgebursary

Are you also aware that she will automatically be assessment for bursaries as soon as her student loan application goes in? Cambridge will give her funds without having to battle through anymore paperwork. Colleges will also have their own schemes to help with books, travel costs etc, so she should never feel she can't afford to go if she get the grades to satisfy any offer.

We looked at that hog because we really had to consider what college at Cambridge to apply to based on cost because although we see there are bursaries it still might mean a contribution from her DM and myself to help her so dgd doesn't have to work because her illness is for life now and though the condition doesn't cause fatigue and anaemia the treatment does.

@Hoghgyni - I remember PCAS! Was also told not to fill it in and got 'the fear' and did it anyway!

Dgd did go to a master class at Cambridge in April and the very next day she was in hospital! She was in for a while its a date I don't forgot!

That's handy about automatic bursary didn't know that had visions if dd having to fill out several firms so that's good!

Sorry about typos better sleep now note all and thanks for help well appreciated!

interview slanted predominantly to middle class private or grammar educated candidates

Our superselective grammar school does no Oxbridge interview preparation and never has for at least the past decade. Just for the sake of correctness. Also, certainly the top grammars are working really, really hard on outreach in their areas so this stuff about 'middle class' is at once unhelpful and incorrect in describing especially the mor recent cohorts. If I have to think back across the past decade at out grammar I can say for sure that the successful Oxbridge candidates were absolutely not overwhelmingly 'middle class' indeed a strikingly large percentage were on FSM. Apologies Sostenueto for being brusque, but I have an interest in correcting this stuff. All the best to your DGD.

^ never has done.

our grammar not out grammar.

The typos get worse and worse.

Also: the more recent cohorts.

Sorry again. I think my nails need to be shorter actually.

May I join in too? (rather belatedly!) DS is interested in Geography at Oxford (or possibly Manchester), two of his favourite cities. I’ve learned things on this thread already so don’t want to miss anything pertinent!

@bionicnemonic - welcome! DS1 has both Oxford and Manchester on his list. How is the PS going? DS1 is on his 2nd draft but won't let me look at it. He has to hand a copy in when he gets back to school.

Any holiday reading going on? DS1's Chemistry Book is getting some comments beside the pool. His China reading (for his History coursework) blends in better.

@Sostenueto - I know what you mean about Grammar schools and middle class parents. The ones near us (SW London) have tried for years to recruit from more diverse socio-economic backgrounds but the reality is that only those prepared to invest in tutoring (paid for or DIY) typically succeed. Hence many of those who attend are 'advantaged' by background before they even start. I'd guess this translates to 'advantage' at interview even if the schools don't offer specific Oxbridge prep.

Hello sandybayley and everyone! The DS PS is currently residing in his head! I think he also is due to hand it in...we were back on early mornings today, which I think came as a shock...he’s on a short art course for a few days involving an hours travel...doesn’t sit so comfortably with playing online the night before! So well done to your DS for committing to paper! Twice!

Some schools actually advise their students not to show the PA to family members as they think that we are either relying on out of date information or simply don't know what we are talking about. Perhaps that's what yours has been told Sandy! DD is planning to show hers to her EPQ teacher and form tutor.

@Hoghgyni - you're probably right. If I got my hands on it I'd be tempted to tinker with the language (I write a lot for work) and it wouldn't sound like DS1. I trust the school to give good advice!