Oxbridge 2020 (thread number 9)

[DadDadDad]

What a year! Just as we've all become experts (at least in our own minds ) about how to write Personal Statements, Oxford admission tests and Cambridge STEP, the complicated dance of the interview process, and how to simultaneously boost our DSs' and DDs' confidence while preparing them for the possibility of disappointment, we have a new topic to learn: statistical modelling of expected grades.

Of course, like all those previous topics, we're not in control of teacher projection and OfQual rejection, but we have this thread to support each other through the coming months.

All welcome. For the record, I have a DS with an Oxford offer for a humanities subject.

I think for DD1 deferring/reapplying has always been a consideration, even pre-Covid, because of devastating events over christmas that really affected us all. She's also very taken by St Andrew's/Edinburgh and Liberal Arts courses at universities like Durham, Exeter, and a combined honours one at Newcastle that lets you take three subjects. Her Oxford offer is for a joint honours anyway but I think she is certainly tempted by even more variation (forever indecisive!). She massively under-researched the universities and courses she applied to if I'm honest in the rush to hit the Oxbridge deadline at school's wishes. She just desperately wants AAA/A*AA at a minimum so she can reapply for courses like that with a solid grade foundation if deferral is a no.

Her two closest friends have deferred their places (Manchester and Liverpool) and a few more are considering. Her boyfriend was always doing a gap year anyway. The girl going to Bristol is desperate to go though! I'm not sure when DD has to make a definitive decision so will probably try and push her to do some proper thinking by the end of June.

Inclined to agree with @hobbema and @JulesJules that accepting the new reality is the better option.
Wrong thread for this bit of news but DD’s course has been extended by a year due to Covid. An extra year in Oxford (and an integrated Masters degree) is definitely a silver lining for DD.
DS has whiled away an hour or so trying out various college/course permutations using the Cambridge stats tool. Good job he didn’t know the odds for his particular combo before his interviews!

RosieCap that sounds like sensible reasons for deferring. We also didn't explore options early enough, but DD really loves her course.
Ofteninaspin your daughter's course extension is a silver lining indeed!
And like your son, I spent some time on the Cambridge stats page. Big difference in acceptance rates. sent some screenshots to a friend with DD in year 12 for interest/ encouragement (she wants to do MML).

Hi thanks to the pp who posted the Cambridge stats.

Am I missing something here because I’m wondering why individual colleges would take different amounts for the same subject each year? For instance, some years they might take two students for a particular course, other years its five (whether or not they put students in the pool or take from it). Is that because, in the lower intake year, three might have deferred, so even though they only appear to be taking two, they actually will end up with the same number?

I think the places each college has for each course is a range rather than an exact number. For example, the college who gave DS an offer say they accept between 24 and 30 students for that subject each year.

Just been reading the Brexit thread. Wonder what No Deal Brexit + Coronovirus Oxbridge is going to be like. The privilege of Oxbridge in the midst of all that. With so many future opportunities taken away from our children's generation when they emerge from Oxbridge into a wrecked UK. A weird thought.

Yes just listened to Michel Barnier on the BBC.

DD4 just going with going to uni as planned, assessed grades permitting.

Hopefully Spotted they will be emerging into the real world as part of a naturally low birth year with a below average number of graduates, just as the sprouts of a recovery are taking effect, with skills & knowledge the country needs.

I agree @Hoghgyni - the situation is extraordinary and they just have to get on with it. DS1 is, of course, worried but grades permitting he'll go to Oxford in October. It won't be as he thought it was going to be but it's for him to make the best of an amazing opportunity.

Changing the subject the shops open n Monday. Can we talk about what we might buy? Can one of the experienced posters start us off?

Is it really necessary to buy anything, except perhaps some new bedding? I imagine they'll mostly be eating in college.

I don't think DS will be eating in college more than twice a week! He enjoys cooking and has a keen eye on the budget figuring he will be able to save a little from his allowance. One of his shortlisting criteria for choosing a college was self catering facilities.
I'm looking forward to a bit of shopping, not least because it will feel like a novelty. DS will also need some new clothes. He wore a suit to school and has spent lockdown in sports clothes which are now a disgrace.

I've bought a few things for the box under DS's bed, including:
Mattress topper
Fleece blanket
Sistema microwavable mug
Big laundry bag (he is already using this as has started doing all his own laundry)
Digital oral thermometer

Also some things we had already which I've put in the box:
Brightly coloured cutlery
A couple of mugs
Over door hooks
Pack of cards
Hole punch & stapler

I'm not really planning on getting anything for DD, as that's what her grant is for! It'll be nice for her to do her own planning and shopping.

I am hoping DS will, at the very least, buy a new pair of trainers. His current pair is falling apart.
@HuaShan, your DS is savvy. DD found evening meal times in college often incompatible with rehearsals/ training - and costly. She acquired basic equipment to cook stir fry, pasta etc on a tiny hob in a tiny pantry in first year. Second year rooms at her college have much bigger kitchens with ovens and she has expanded her repertoire and collection of cooking equipment!

Would also add that after moving stuff in and out of college (up and down narrow, twisting staircases) three times a year, DD1 has pared her uni clobber down (almost) to the essentials.

Mine have all gone to uni light but an absolute essential at Oxford is a mattress topper and a decent duvet and pillows, even in those colleges where full bedding is provided.

I shouldn't call it a grant. If only.

@sandybayley, I darent shop yet ( dont know why, she’s going somewhere and both Cambridge and St Andrews nitheringly cold! so wrapping up essential). There was some chatter on the general Uni 2020 thread and maddeningly I can remember where there was a great list a couple of years ago. Personally I think it jolly to do some shopping together . I hope we avoid the satchel shopping mudflinging type debate of leave to fend for themselves or you’re a smothering parent (although it was enormously entertaining if anyone is bored) If you’ve got a DC like that, brilliant. If you dont, always nice to get ideas.
Practical ideas; PLASTIC pint glasses for post party rehydration, Sistema microwaveable soup pots, STUDENT EATS is a great cookbook. Non practically, am knitting a blanket for DD as she loves to wrap up while reading , (just happens to include college colours ), godmother got a hanging frame for photos ( not sure these will be allowed). We ( and her DT sister) will be doing the Ikea trip after results day as she has been looking forward to for ages .

As DS1 is Oxford or maybe Durham should I get a single mattress topper and a double duvet? He's big and tall and I think a double duvet might be better even if he's in a single bed. Or is that bonkers?

I think he'll mainly at in college and top up with occasional home cooking. On the look out for some funky mugs. He's a big coffee drinker and will be sad to not have access to our bean to cup machine. He is definitely not taking that with him! Might let him gave the cafetière though.

@hobbema - St Andrews is properly cold! I was a regular visitor in my student days. Very lovely though.

also completely agree with @Hoghgyni positive post yesterday re DC being well placed to contribute and thrive in bleak post covid economy /world in a few years time.
Back to shopping, I meant melamine not plastic...
A cake/biscuits for communal kitchen areas on arrival is nice if you/they cba. Someone did it at DS’s house in Cardiff, surprisingly good ice breaker

Nobody has mentioned the probably illegal door wedge yet! DD has her multi-USB port/standard plug extension lead and the ubiquitous battery operated fairy lights. Her college of choice has warned that they have a variety of size beds, but they will be told what they have in advance if they are lucky enough to get there. I imagine there will be some laptop bargains over the next few months, but DD was given a high spec one last year. Add on a VPN if getting a new one.

Sandy I had a double duvet on a single bed at uni. All the better to hide illicit visitors under!

Second the door wedge - if only for holding the room door open when moving in. Definitely second the mattress topper.
Sadly no fairy lights permitted at DD1’s college. I don’t know if this differs between colleges?

sandybayley yes, single very thick mattress topper and double duvet.