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.

Marching re: IB list. My FiL went to Dartford Grammar and was always slightly disappointed that Mick Jagger left as he started. Neither did the IB though!

Busy few weeks here so haven't had time for any forums or social media. I was just reading back to see if anyone had done IB or EB as they are the systems that my nieces and nephews all did at their international schools.

DD1 getting very twitchy about A level results. DD2 also twitchy about GCSEs and DD3 about when the pool will re-open. So this is a rather tense house at present. All are socialising an awful lot though - DD1 is spending every night in the local park/woods with friends, so hopefully that is keeping their minds off it all. At first I was up worrying about how late she was coming back but have backed down because in 6 months I will have no idea what time she's coming home...

Twitchy in this house too RoiseCap, with one DC waiting for A level results and one for gcse. Hopefully the waiting will be worth it.

I must admit to feeling surprised that Oxford has cancelled December 2020 interviews for applicants. Cancelled them in person, that is - they are being done online instead. Interviews are such a huge deal that changing them brings home what a different world Oxford is preparing for.

DS1 has had an email from his college about what to expect in October. The two which caught my eye were 1) outside bar (college bar is a cellar) and 2) branded college face masks. I rather like both!

I do too! Especially the masks. I hope all colleges do this. Perhaps with a motif taken from the college’s architecture - imagine the possibilities. Tom Tower emblazoned on faces would be quite a sight.

If the bar is outside in January it will be a helpful prompt to go to bed when it gets too cold. Unless they get some patio heaters...

@Flyonawalk - I can raise you on the tallly of those waiting. DS1= A Levels DD = GCSEs and DS2 = French GCSE - plus my DNephew got his 2.1 from York this week.

Twitchy here too re results for DS.
Love the idea of college face masks! DD1 (going into third year at an Oxford college with a bar in the cellar...) has not heard anything yet about practicalities in October.
I wonder if Oxbridge applications will increase this year now that there is no requirement to attend interviews in person?

I wish them all luck, Sandybayley! Great achievement for your nephew.

Regarding masks, perhaps colleges will emblazon them with a famous alumnus. Pembroke could have Blackadder. Magdalen, Oscar Wilde. St Hugh’s would sadly get Theresa May.

Often the 2021 Oxbridge thread indicates that several think otherwise and won't apply if they won't be able to do it in person.

That's interesting @Hoghgyni. Same presumably applies to med school applicants - reluctance to have online interviews, that is.

DS received an email from his Oxford college. No mention of face masks or bars but he has an essay to prepare for his first tutorial, which he is quite excited about. I expect tutors are worried about the extended time away from studies this year and want to give some incentive for incoming students to open their books again. Seems like a very good idea.

I will have the A level/GCSE combo all over again in just two years. They're all summer babies too so I nearly missed this much doubling up. If only DDs 2 or 3 had held on a few months.

In the wider family DH was one of six and who had 16 children in an 8 year span. The oldest graduated last year (is 22 now) and the youngest is my DD3! This year I think it's two graduates, one second year, one first year, 2 A levels, 1 IB, a GCSE and an iGCSE. The family group chat will certainly be lively in August, and has been lively this last few weeks with degree classifications/IB results.

I think my DD is not as diligent at all yours at checking her emails. I will have to prod her. I know she nearly misses a lot of deadlines because of a disorganised inbox.

Not sure if this applies to other colleges but DS1's has some generous book grants and he's been told to keep receipts for any course related books bought as he may be able to claim the money back.

Existing students got a link to this message about covid measures when students come back in October - looks like it will be masks in indoors spaces, and the university will be organizing its own rapid testing for any suspected cases

www.ox.ac.uk/coronavirus/planning/michaelmas-2020/health

@Coleoptera - DS1's College has said they'll be providing branded face masks!

I shouldn't worry about them getting to know each other. They are effectively going to be in large households, so they will be learning together, eating together and socialising together. They are free to do whatever any other young person is allowed to do around the country, whether that's playing cricket, going shopping or going to.the pub.

I spent a couple of hours on public transport yesterday. Face coverings and eating/drinking are mutually exclusive. I imagine they will stagger times for different household groups. Those with sensory issues are never forced to wear face coverings. Face coverings can range from bandanas, soft cotton handy bands through to face masks. Personally, I find face masks almost impossible to wear as the elastic pings of my small ears, so I tend to wear handy bands from Seasalt.

@Hoghgyni, I had not realised that I have smaller than average ears until I attempted to wear a face mask for an appointment this week!

I don’t think wearing a face mask will detract from making friends. It might actually have a “bonding” effect. I am being resolutely positive about the potential university experience in October. Oxford has sent very clear guidelines to DD1 and I am sure it will be similar at Cam if DS1 gets the grades he needs. I feel they are fortunate not to be graduating this year into a challenging job market.

Considering ordering a Hannibal Lecter or Darth Vader mask for her to encourage social distancing!

Have any Oxford offer DC received any updates on university sport yet? Because that is another thing to impact the deferral/wihdrawal decision over here but DD says she's heard nothing yet.

Sport is very important to my DS too, although he wouldn't think of deferring. We haven't heard anything but, to be fair, he hasn't reached out and asked. In the old life, I would have expected him to be in touch with OURFC by now and talking about pre-season training but I imagine rugby will be one of the last sports to go back to normal. Just as well he's thinking of changing his focus to cycling.

Each country seems to be handling sports differently, but one thing they have in common is some kind of segmentation by risk. So maybe cycling, athletics, cricket will be happening, but rugby hockey (and rowing maybe?) will be postponed.

According to DD1 (going into third year Oxford) OUCD (competitive dance) auditions are going ahead in Freshers week as usual. DS1 is confident that tennis at Cam will go ahead - mainly because it was one of the last sports to stop and one of the first to restart. DS has been back playing league tennis for several weeks now and his Summer coaching job is going ahead too.