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?

Of course we couldn't even use the internet in those days, so I looked up where Hatfield, Kingston & a couple of others were on a map, worked out if the trip was even feasible by train from home, got a copy of each prospectus out of the library and sent the form off. I think I would have been seriously miffed is any of them had turned me down!

DD had me read through her PS a couple of times for SPAG checks, and consulted me a couple of times on how to phrase something concisely.

sandybayley that's a stereotype and the reality is shifting. It's the sort of stereotype which is damaging for the access in precisely the same way sweeping statements about Oxbridge only admitting middle class students is damaging. It's a very real possibility that those who are middle class and outside the system tend to know the middle class parents at Tiffin, Queen Elizabeth etc which will give them a skewed view (although admittedly London is a curious very pushy world of its own, educationally).

Just to add that I don't want to divert this thread onto grammar school politics but generalisations made by those outside the system, who don't work in it or on the access initiatives, shouldn't be left uncorrected.

My DC have all shown me their personal statements. I haven't said much except possibly suggested things they'd forgotten. They were all pretty straightforward.

Hugo obviously our grammar works with a whole great big raft of other (they tend to be the top) grammars and to my absolutely certain knowledge is not an anomaly. I think it's possibly that I just know rather more about it than many. I also think that a lot of middle class parents have a big old axe to grind (even if indirect) in repeating this stuff, just as they do with Oxbridge.

Yup, back to Oxbridge!

Of course the two sets of initiatives - access to grammars and then to Oxbridge - are bound up together, so in a way we're not miles off the beaten track. Not that I wish to distract from personal statements etc!

Hello @bionicnemonic..I think you’re the first Geographer on the thread!
Personal statements : DD has tonnes to say, grappling with teachers advice to show not tell...

When grammar school intake is at 50% disadvantaged then we can say its a fair system. My last word on it and back to Oxbridge!

My last word on it Sostenueto, is that there will never be 50% disadvantaged within reach of any grammar school - even superselectives with a broad radius - who would be eligible in raw ability terms for a grammar school education/ be suited for one/ benefit from one (trying to avoid semantic responses here!). It would require a massive increase in the numbers of disadvantaged DC to produce a 50% intake, which I'm sure no-one wishes to see - I certainly don't.

In my day you didn't need money to get to a grammar you sat the 11+ instead ( sigh)

@Sostenueto - I agree. When the grammar system was universal it was an engine for social mobility. Both my parents passed the 11+ and went onto white collar jobs. My FIL passed as well and went on to study Maths at Cambridge with a hefty scholarship. All 3 were from relatively disadvantaged backgrounds.

The small number of grammars remaining provoke the tutoring culture in SW London (not a stereotype - very real). At our state primary the staff were actively opposed to grammar applications and the only families that applied were those with the resources (time or finance) to tutor. The only way to increase the proportion of disadvantaged pupils (say measured by receipt of FSM) would be to introduce quotas.

Last word is supposed to mean last word so I'm going to pass on correcting any more mis-statements. If people are genuinely interested in what's going on in the sector I'm sure they can inform themselves properly so as to comment from a position of knowledge.

Hugo for many subjects Oxford has had data for years. Cambridge was reluctant to adopt the GCSE/ aptitude test route but now that it's had to, I'm sure it's had a good look at the Oxford data.

Have all your schools set internal deadlines for completing the PS and submitting the Oxbridge applications?

My DC's school want the PS finished within a week of term starting and the application in by 5th October. It makes sense to give the teacher's time to write the references and then leave some capacity to fix things if something goes wrong.

Deadlines here are full draft of PS in on first day of term and final deadline 16th September.

@Quair - DS1's school has said 5 September for Oxbridge applicants and 27 September for others. It's early but they had a week in June of early prep and the school already knows who is applying where and for what, including g college choice so it should be fine.

BTW, it's worth nothing that the JCQ contingency day for 2020 is 24 June. Safe to make holiday plans after that. Funny how when you're on holiday you start thinking about your next one...

Mid September here. PS ready by the beginning of term. Suddenly seems very soon indeed!

@sandybayley why were the primary teachers against grammar applications?
Surely, if this is widespread, then its a good reason why children from disadvantaged backgrounds are under-represented since you need to be educated yourself to be able to confidently say that the school is giving bad advice and you are going to ignore it?

I don't know what DS's internal school deadline is for submitting for early application. Hopefully he does.

His PS is written but not finalised (awaiting feedback from the second of two teachers he sent it to).

His additional personal statement for the SAQ is not yet finished.

DS's school offers some support for Oxbridge applications.

He can sit the pre-interview assessment there during half term, but they don't offer any preparation classes or practice sessions.

If he is invited for interview, they will try to set up one practice interview for him.

Of a year group of approx 200, they usually have 25-30 apply, of whom 10-15 get offers.