Oxbridge 2020 (6)

[Justneedatemporaryname]

New thread ready for when the old one gets filled up!

@Coleoptera
DS didn't have any prep material to look at and he arrived over 1.5h before his first interview. There was the option of the "social" waiting room where he could chat with other candidates, or the library if he wanted to study in silence. He had also pre-booked lunch, which used up some of the time.

I agree @Torchlightt. Not possible to know until the results are through. So often I've heard that the ones who think they aced it are the weakest ones. (In my teaching experience this is also the case)

But I don't quite understand your comment about how getting an Oxbridge offer would prevent a third option being viable.

Grandson had two interviews today, has to watch the board tomorrow. He's wandered off to buy snacks to sustain himself until 7pm, at home he eats constantly I think he managed to acquire a toothbrush at some point too. He says there are a lot of state school candidates there, which is reassuring. I think he is pretty relaxed, but of course has no idea how well he's done (or not!)

Yes, the 2nd choice is just 1 grade lower than the likely Oxbridge offer. The 3rd choice is 1 grade lower again. Gives a little bit more leeway. Money is going to be a real issue now, as Oxbridge would have been significantly cheaper in our situation (bursaries as well as term time accommodation only). Fuck. I don't know why she blew the interview - she doesn't want to talk about it.

Coleoptera my DS arrived an hour before his interview and student guides showed him where to go. He just sat and waited.

@milliefiori, feeling for you. DT1 was 10 mins late for her first C interview today because the shepherds took her to the wrong place. Everyone terribly nice about it, interviewer said “ shoot the shepherd”...

Would it say on the email about his interviews if he'd needed to book lunch in advance?

DS's "invitation to interview" email included a link to an online form for those wanting to book a meal. Each college will have different arrangements.

Thanks for the responses!! DS seems quite upbeat after the first interview, no discussion on PS at all in first interview but the waiting around today is a killer just checking the board every hour to be told late afternoon no E&M interviews today. Has been told to be available until 2pm tomorrow!

DD didn’t phone until well past the time I thought she’d be out. Concentration at work shot as I imagined her in tears or throwing herself into the Cam. But she said interview ran over quite a bit. She said she’s sure she talked utter BS and wasn’t keen on a squashy sofa. She was in semi hysterical laughter but says she has absolutely no sense of how it went. She said she had it in the back of her mind to reply no when asked if she’s like to say more about x or y but resisted the urge and ploughed on. So it’s waiting time til Jan 15.

Little Slummy - good sign that it ran over surely? Was wondering if our kids were going for same subject/same college as DS had squishy sofas too.

OK @TerfinUSA99 not the same college! @goodbyestranger, very interesting.

I reckon they all have them shipped in for interviews, hattymattie! She said she didn’t meet anyone else doing her subject but did follow her first interviewers into lunch.
Ahe says now she putting it out of her mind and will have weekend off before staring revision for last two mocks.
I will take a break from here - we may or may not be back! W all DPs and their hardworking DCs the best of luck for all forthcoming interviews.
My takeaway from DD is that do whatever it takes to keep brain sharp and ticking over at required speed but interview will be something else entirely from whatever you’d imagined.
And all round

Very happy DS here as he’s got an offer from Imperial, his second choice. It’s A* A A. Yay!

Dd has finished her interviews and test and has no idea how she has done. She enjoyed the discussions but felt, as one does, that she could have done x or y better. She has never had that sort of discussion in English before! She enjoyed meeting other candidates and undergraduates.

There is no point second guessing, she was just herself, what else would she do anyway - coming from a bog-standard French state school in the sticks she has done everything by herself, no help at all from school and my only contribution has been buying plane tickets. I am very proud of her.

So now we shall forget about this whole business until mid-January, she has her French applications to get in soon on parcours sup and lots of other things to do.

Pant Twizzler - Imperial is fabulous - congratulations to your DD.

Mme Frog - well done to your daughter. Quite an ordeal.

@PantTwizzler - congrats on the Imperial offer. Very good #2 option.

Great news Pant Twizzler.

That’s fab Pant - takes a bit of the stress off the next month’s wait to have such a great alternative option!

sandy - when’s your boy off?

@KingscoteStaff - he's there from Sunday to Wednesday. I've collected his favourite M&S goodies and some pop science magazines to wrap up and put in his luggage.

He finished school yesterday and stayed up to watch the GS so is fast asleep this morning. Will be lobbying him to get a haircut when he wakes up.

GE not GS. I can think of things that rogue S might stand for though 😉