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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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:
sandybayley · 21/08/2019 15:25

@Quair - the teachers at the primary school (at least when my DC were there) were very opposed to grammar and independent applications and supported neither. I think it's because it's not a fully grammar area. As a result there were a number of very able children who never even tried the 11+ when a simple word of encouragement might have inspired them.

To be fair to the teachers I think it's very difficult for them as they need to avoid implying that any of the local comps are 2nd best - they're actually really good.

I still haven't forgiven the teacher (she's still there) who remarked to DD 'why do you want to go to that snobby school?' when she achieved a good scholarship to an independent. What would have been the harm in a simple 'well done' to an 11 year old?

I think the same 'poverty of aspiration' often happens for Oxbridge applications with some secondary school teachers perpetuate myths about it not being a credible (or good) choice. That's why I think threads like this are important in encouraging and demystifying the application process for everyone.

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 15:39

I think the deadline for PS is 16 Sept for all early entries. We did have an email explaining that assessments are taking place at half term rather than during the school day and how to book a place nationally/internationally if you would be away. They stressed that 30 Oct is not movable.

I don't know how I would feel about an adjustment offer. Would you always have a sense of being seen as not worthy of an initial offer and then being treated as a charity case? I think it's great that they are making the offers, but you would be forced into making a quick decision.

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 15:42

Having said that, although the PS deadline is looming in my head, it obviously isn't worrying DD. I think 4 weeks still seems like an age to a 17 year old and I can see a last minute PS draft being churned out on our way home from the York open day that weekend. My hair will turn grey(er)!

Alittewornout · 21/08/2019 16:47

Applications for early applicants are 15th October( just checked as had palpitations when some posted 16 th September!) some schools of course have their own internal deadlines. Ours is 11th October.

Alittewornout · 21/08/2019 16:48

Think you need to register for the aptitude tests in September though.x

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 17:17

Sorry for the confusion, I was replying to the post asking when PSs have to be submitted at school. DD's school want them in a month before the UCAS deadline so they can get all the references completed on time, check predicted grades etc.

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 17:19

If you're only a little worn out, you're doing better than me! Permantently dhattered is an apt description! Grin

Alittewornout · 21/08/2019 17:34

Thank you hog I hadn’t read the whole thread just caught up with the last few whilst on mums taxi duty’s!🤣 Think I might change my name to losttheplotcompletely!🤣

bpisok · 21/08/2019 17:47

Hi all. Catching up after my hols and the (internal and external) deadlines seem to be rapidly approaching!!

DD currently re-drafting her PS (or so she claims, personally I think she's in her bedroom having a snooze 😁).

sandybayley · 21/08/2019 18:03

@bpisok - where has the summer gone? One minute it's the start of the holidays and then it's nearly the Bank Holiday!

We've had such a lovely summer and now Year 13 and 11 looms. Bit sad but excited for the DC moving on to new opportunities.

Chatting to lots of people on holiday at the moment (all of a similar age) and it's been good for DS1 to hear lots of stories of adults who've done well via lots of routes. Exeter, Heriot-Watt, Aberystwyth, army etc - keeps Oxbridge in context. Even someone who works for Sony on the PlayStation tech who never went to uni.

topology444 · 21/08/2019 18:10

Sorry but I did not read all the replies but wanted to answer the original question: It makes a huge difference which college one goes to (not least financially). It is worth asking for scholarships, financial support, cost of rent etc. The chances to get into a college (in mathematics) are basically the same for each colleges as the candidates get "pooled" which means that if one college has lots of very strong candidates and cannot accommodate everyone then they go to the "pool" and colleges who have weaker applicants make offers to/interview theses candidates. As the OP noticed that colleges are different and applicants should spent some time thinking about which environment would be best for them.

bpisok · 21/08/2019 18:18

I 100% agree Sandy. Oxbridge isn't the key to a successful life. I know lots of very successful people who didn't go to Uni at all.

DD wasn't too fussed about it until fairly recently. She's fully aware that statistically the chances are low and has adopted the 'Why not' approach. I think the only 'pressure' is an external one i.e. people knowing she has applied but hasn't got an offer or knowing that she had an offer but didn't get her grades. It's all about managing the expectations of others - grandparents (without a qualification to their names) spring to mind!!

Sostenueto · 21/08/2019 18:30

My dd hasn't told any of her friends that dgd is applying to Cambridge ( though they ask) . she says it avoids anyone thinking she's bragging.

PantTwizzler · 21/08/2019 18:34

I don't know when DS's deadline is for his PS but I know for certain that he hasn't written a single word.

I was telling myself it wouldn't be as stressful second time round but sadly that's not the case.

DD (my eldest) is very articulate and had tons to say in her PS. DS is a boy of few words... argh!

bionicnemonic · 21/08/2019 18:43

I’ve got one of those too! (Boy of few words) and most of those are ‘is lunch ready?’!

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 18:50

But at least they will both have no 0roblems meeting the no. of characters they are allowed!

Sost We do not mention the places beginning with O & C on this thread. You need to don a hard hat, safety boots and breathing apparatus and head to the OTHER thread for that.

Ironoaks · 21/08/2019 19:16

We do not mention the places beginning with O & C on this thread. You need to don a hard hat, safety boots and breathing apparatus and head to the OTHER thread for that.

I think this is the other thread. Unless there's an other other thread. Smile

HugoSpritz · 21/08/2019 19:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DadDadDad · 21/08/2019 21:13

I'm a bit nonplussed by your comment @Hoghhyni . Browser find function shows "Cambridge" appears 230 times on this thread and the other place 272. (I didn't name it in order to try to help Cambridge's score. Grin ).

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 21:14

Hey, that's good. Oxford, Cambridge, Oxford, Cambridge, Cambridge, Oxford, Oxford, Cambridge. That feels so good to get it all out of my system!

Hoghgyni · 21/08/2019 21:15

I got lost & thought poor Sost was about to get flamed for breaking the golden rule.

Sostenueto · 21/08/2019 22:15

Beginning to think I'm in a Harry Potter movie must not mention he( Oxbridge), who must not be named.............Grin

goodbyestranger · 21/08/2019 23:04

I think the same 'poverty of aspiration' often happens for Oxbridge applications with some secondary school teachers perpetuate myths about it not being a credible (or good) choice. That's why I think threads like this are important in encouraging and demystifying the application process for everyone.

Absolutely. One access initiative exactly mirrors the other which is why comments about middle class exclusivity both for grammars and Oxbridge are very unhelpful. It's good to agree!

Sostenueto · 22/08/2019 07:02

I'm a great believer in experience in a subject. Unless you experience personally what it is to be disadvantaged you cannot truly realise what it is like. You can say you agree its wrong and champion equality without understanding it at all.

Sostenueto · 22/08/2019 07:20

There are inequalities all around you, some you don't even realise. For example a school may decide that medicine and law are the careers most important for access to Oxbridge but your DC may want another career and is capable of applying to Oxbridge but the school does not aide you so vigorously in applying. Is that not a form of prejudice by prioritising those that want to study medicine and law above those wanting to study something else? Wherever you look, whatever the level, prejudice is prevalent without even realising it. Who decides medicine and law are above other careers? Why do they decide this? Its society, certain classes that may well be the cause of this. These are questions for all really.

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