Oxbridge Aspirants: Sep 2021

[funkysatsuma]

Not sure if it's too early to start this thread in Nov 2019 :)

DS would like Cambridge Economics as the first choice. Would like to know where can we get some help to prepare for the ECAA test - appreciate any pointers/links. Thanks in advance

I think there's also an inherent conflict with UCAS, in that the Cambridge place won't remain 'live' if another uni place on the same application has been taken up.

I think there's also an inherent conflict with UCAS, in that the Cambridge place won't remain 'live' if another uni place on the same application has been taken up.

True. I (possibly mis)read the 'rekindling hopes' bot as meaning, having been turned down by Cambridge altogether - and therefore not having been able to firm or insure them in this cycle. It still stands that Cambridge will only consider applications from those who are already attending university elsewhere under very restricted circumstances.

I wonder how the decision on Track will actually be framed, though? If the applicant hasn't met the conditions for their Cambridge offer, but has for their insurance, there has to be the mechanism for them to go to their insurance in the normal way, not not to have that option because their Cambridge offer has turned into a 'conditional deferred' one iyswim?

The way I understood it is that a student would have to decline their conditional offer for Sept 2020 in order to take the Autumn exams. So yes, if they needed AAA for Cambridge (standard humanities offer), but moderation brought them out with AAA; they could choose their strongest subject and focus on that for the A. Or they could “retake” all 3 subjects. Even if they came out with lower grades after the exams, they can still keep the higher teacher assessed grade/s - so no risk in this sense.

But effectively, it means taking a year out yes, and if they still were awarded AAA after the exams, they wouldn’t have long to get the UCAS form in for 2021. Yes they would have missed the Oxbridge deadline, but as their grades were AAA or lower, they wouldn’t be reapplying to Cambridge anyway as no offers are made below A*AA.

Yes that is what I meant. I appreciate that Cambridge guarantee the offer for 2021 but wasn't sure if it remains in the 2020 system until after results of Autumn exam but then has to rush an application for 2021 at Christmas if they fail to boost grades.

Or student has to make a fresh 2021 application but Cambridge issues a new offer immediately upon application but student selects 4 for insurance

So we think the latter - withdraw 2020 application and reapply 2021.

I don’t know how they will format it on UCAS. I just hope Cambridge are prepared for a bulge year, if it comes to that!

How would a bulge year work in terms of supervisions and college accomodation 4catsonabed. Lots of cohorts of students have been hit in one way or another by this pandemic, not quite clear why the current Y12 should be a special case.

I just hope Cambridge are prepared for a bulge year, if it comes to that!
I don't think this will happen. They can only accommodate a finite number of students in terms of teaching and living space.

Of those applicants who miss their offer (due to A-level grades rather than STEP), only some will choose to take exams in the autumn, and only some of those will see enough of an improvement in their grades to meet the carried-over offer.

It’s not asking to be a special case. It’s asking for the same number of places to be available next year as every other year.

In the context of this pandemic, it's asking for the current Y12s to be untouched. So yes, special case. If there can't be the same number of places available as every other year due to Covid then well, tough. There's absolutely nothing special about the current Y12s that means they should be insulated from the fall out. They've got the option of a gap year after all.

It’s not asking to be a special case. It’s asking for the same number of places to be available next year as every other year.

Every year students apply with grades in hand. 2021 will be no different.

Why would you feel the need to be so rude goodbye.

Do you even have a Year 12?

I have a Y13 affected by the pandemic, a final year DC affected by the pandemic, two medic DC who have been working in London Covid wards through the pandemic etc. So I guess I find this complaining about the potential impact on Cambridge places fairly minor in the scheme of things. If they're in the top two thirds, even on your analysis of the maths, they'll be fine. If they're not in the top two thirds then they probably weren't dead certs in any event. I just think maybe look at the bigger picture. A bit direct yes, rude no.

This is a thread for Oxbridge Aspirants to share their concerns / info.

Frankly, I don’t really give a monkeys if you have 20 DC doing x,y,z.

You have no business belittling other people’s concerns. Would you have appreciated that on your own Oxbridge thread - what is it now thread 11? Is there any detail or eventuality of anything you haven’t discussed Or obsessed over on there? No there is not. So spare us the “bigger picture.” Thankyou very much.

That's perfectly fair 4catsonabed. And I find the whining about perceived disadvantage for Y12s applying for Cambridge similarly minor. So many young people are affected, the Y12s are absolutely nothing special.

Can I just say that I myself haven't obsessed about any matter relating to the effect of the pandemic on my own Y13 DC, if you care to check back. It is what it is - stuff happens. No point moaning - does nothing to help.

I’m not saying the Year 12s are special but.., Newsflash - this thread is indeed about the Year 12s. Just as your Oxbridge thread is about the Year 13s. Or the GCSE thread is about the Year 10s. Perhaps you’d like to go on the 11 plus threads while you’re at it and tell them they’re whining because “the wider picture.” I’m not sure why having adult children, medics or whoever, makes you grand judge and jury to be honest.

This thread is about those in Y12 or Y13 applying for Oxbridge 2021 4catsonabed. It's also an open thread. All I'm doing is making a comment that it's getting a bit entitled, when Cambridge is told it had better prepare for a bulge year!!!!!!!!

It's also not my Oxbridge thread, the other one. I've never started a thread, I merely contribute to other peoples'.

I am perfectly aware that some students defer every year, This goes without saying. However, the circumstances are different this year. Cambridge over-offer by a significant amount more than Oxford. I believe they over offer by 30% in some cases. So guaranteed deferrals COULD make a difference,

I don’t know if it will amount to significantly less places or not. Nor do you. Who knows? But it’s a perfectly reasonable question to raise. If I can’t ask here, where would you like me to ask? Health & Beauty?

The numbers are random though 4catsonabed. Entirely reasonable to ask the question I agree. Arguably less reasonable to assume that the current Y12s are entitled to the exact same number of places as the year before and the year before that. Things change all the time, some cohorts are more able than others, the international element changes. Things don't stand still and the pandemic is just one of those things. All you can do is throw your hat in the ring.

Ok so if your DC doesn’t get her / his grades because if some weird moderation process it will also just be “one if those things” will it because who are you to expect any form of consistency year to year?

Yes it will be one of those things 4cats, exactly that. If you want to check the current Oxbridge thread you'll find I haven't wailed at all. No point.

It says on the Cambridge website “every year we make 90 offers for x subject.” Obviously cohorts will fluctuate etc and next year will be no exception That goes without saying and it’s not the point. Fluctuating around 60 places or 90 is a marked difference, beyond normal variations.

I don’t think it will be only 60 places by the way. I’m not saying that at all - I’m just using those numbers relevant to a particular course as a point of comparison. I obviously realise it’s not that simple. But there could potentially be a significant difference next year. Nobody knows.

You will have current yr 12's applying, year 13 deferrals, and year 13 rejects trying again. There will be some deferrals, but I imagine would be a rarity.
All the students can do is go for it and see what happens. One thing that its taught me when she applied last year was that it was a long slog. from perfecting that personal statement to an inch of its life, to revising for the PAT test and completing other uni interviews as well as revising for mocks, then the interview itself. From start to reply back at the end it was a 6 months process and pretty stressful at times. She and I are glad shes done it, but wished we as not too emotionally invested as we was. We just over analysed every single figure, statistic, trends; 'easier' colleges to get into deferrals, re-appliers etc. it does not really matter too much and have other options should it not go to plan :)

Well I’ve seem plenty of discussion / worry about the unknown of moderated grades and all sorts of “what ifs” on the other thread and if people want to share those concerns, then absolutely fair enough. It’s not for me to wade into a discussion and try and tell anyone they are whining because that would be fairly obnoxious, don’t you think?