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.

DD's school had a special leavers event broadcast on local radio. Which was very lovely of them and it was quite special to listen to. But they included names of prize winners, with the result that DDs head teacher has now announced to the whole county that she "is" going to Cambridge to read maths. So much for keeping a low profile and managing expectations!

Wow, Chicken, that's flattering, reassuring but I expect also a bit annoying at the same time, especially given that they don't know how she performed in STEP. But lovely that they have so much confidence in her.

Plot change here. Looks like we will be spending results day ... in quarantine! Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to spontaneously decide to go to Tenerife on a family holiday. Mind you, it has taken DS's mind off A-levels and Oxford. He is currently being beasted on another epic ride, this time with the fittest looking cycling pro you could ever imagine. I'm waiting for golf clubs to be delivered so we can play this afternoon. The boy is in seventh heaven.

I'm not complaining, by the way. We always knew rules could change re quarantine. One of those things.

@AChickenCalledDaal
Well they clearly have confidence in her! Although you'd think the head teacher of all people would understand the term "conditional offer".

I've lost count of the number of well-meaning friends and relatives who have said "So Ironoaks Junior is off to Cambridge soon then..." to which I've developed an almost ritualistic response "...if he gets the grades needed."

Don't think the school has much experience with offers involving STEP. I guess I can take comfort from the fact they wouldn't have given her the prize in question if there were any unexpected question-marks hanging over her academic performance in y13!

Hope you have a lovely holiday SnapSnapDragon. Sounds like your DS is having a very nice summer.

Excellent distractions for your DS Ironoaks. We toyed with the idea of a holiday in France but ended up booking a cottage in the UK. Great cycling though and a much needed change of scene.

Congratulations to Chicken’s DD on her school prize. Lovely to have the recognition.

Just read in the mail that results will now be based on statistical modelling rather than teachers’ predicted grades!

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/oxford-to-accept-star-pupils-from-poor-schools-qzm8k6gtj

I've been discussing that article elsewhere today OneTeen. DD may be one of the ones who could benefit, but I hope she won't be in that position. There will always be those like Chris McGovern who believe that others deserve offers and places more, but he seems to have his own agenda.

Other peoples expectations are hard to deal with. DS1 has a really touching 'valedictory'
from his school which was basically a summing up of the last 11 years (he joined at 7). It concluded with a paragraph about how well suited to Oxford he was and they hoped he'd enjoy his time there, it did make me well up a bit (I am soft).

I made the mistake of showing the proud DGPs and they are convinced he's going because the school says he is. It did cheer DS1 up that they have confidence in him..

I think the school should have tempered their language a bit TBH. I'm trying to be very balanced in discussions with DS1 as he is quietly worrying about it. He's very restrained in visible displays of emotions.

Just saying hello having caught up on the news re grades for this year. Can't decide whether the latest iteration makes me feel more or less fretful (probably more, knowing me). Can't believe results are only two and half weeks away...

I missed the news about Oxford matriculation. Does the same apply to Cambridge? Does Cambridge even do matriculation in the same way?! Agree with PPs about the emotional weight of the matriculation pic and feel so sorry that this is another rite of passage to be deferred if not cancelled altogether. Obviously trivial in the grand scheme of things but hope you KWIM.

Re packing lists, DD travelled relatively light but still had boxes and boxes to lug up and down the stairs at the beginning and end of each term. (In fact we've only just gone to collect her stuff from vac storage very strange and spooky in the empty college.) Just to pointlessly differ from previous advice, DD did take her bike and some basic cooking stuff and found that she needed more than she had because, for example, she wanted to be able to cook for people. Anyway that was easily fixed. What she lacked more than anything was time so I'm glad she didn't have to buy too much once she was there.

DS hasn't thought about any preparations of that sort yet -- just awaiting more news. If he doesn't get his grades, all he'll be needing is an adult Oyster card (aaaargh!).

@PantTwizzler, your DS’s approach is very similar to mine. We are being very low key and waiting for more news before embarking on any sort of practical preparation. (DS is assuming that he will need to sit an Autumn exam in one subject to meet his multiple A* offer given the news re grade moderation.)
DD’s Oxford college has reiterated the need to “travel light” for this coming term. I am hoping DD will take heed as the number of boxes we lug up and down those stairways seems to grow each year.

I think Cambridge does matriculation college by college.

@ofteninaspin interesting advice from your DD's Oxford college re "travel light". I had (naively) starting thinking the opposite, that (if DD gets in, etc etc) she and co would possibly NOT have to move out during breaks, as I can't envisage colleges taking conferences and guests over Christmas or Easter. She has a LOT of ideas (and a Pinterest board) and wants to take all kinds of (cough) rubbish along for 'atmos', etc.

Also, fist bump (or MN equivalent) re October exam. We are in major discussions about DD's study plans re one pesky subject (unrelated to her course) that may make the 13th a stressful day and mean she is nose-to-the-grindstone for the next 2 months and then twiddling thumbs until October 2021.

Yes, as far as I know, it is the first time DD’s college has specifically asked students to bring as little as possible. The reason given is that students may have to vacate at short notice and they don’t want any belongings left behind. Previously, students were able to store stuff over the vac in a store room (DD left clothes airer,, kettle, cushions etc) but this is not permitted from next term. This will be college specific though. DD’s college is one of the old, central ones.

I totally understand your DD’s situation. DS was sitting an A Level that hasn’t been taught at his school before. He is predicted an A* but goodness knows what the moderation will do to that grade to get the “correct” results profile.

@ofteninaspin Goodness, I haven't heard anyone else in that situation. The first for a particular subject. Nightmare, but surely if no 'expectations' based on who-knows-how-bright-or-studious students from the past, they would expect a 'cleaner' result and let it stand as sincerely predicted? Not sure on that one. Good luck to him!

My DD2 (aged 16) is in a similarmy anomalous situation as she was sitting her exams in a very averagely performing school as a private candidate. She’s sitting different exams/boards from the school candidates but even so I doubt this year’s system will be good for her. Her predicted grades (and previous results) are great but I fear her grades may be moderated downwards because of the exam centre. The other option is that she doesn’t get grades at all because the evidence submitted is deemed insufficient. Anyway, wrong thread. Back to fretting about A levels...

*similarly

God, @PantTwizzler I hadn't even thought about candidates simply using a school as exam centre, but the teachers not having access to details about your knowledge or performance. That is a nightmare. It's a shame if that means no grade can be given and an automatic October exam/delay of one year in moving forward with life.

@goodbyestranger

DD has heaps of work set and has also been asked to rank her accommodation options (photos of each staircase, rooms within each staircase, details about different bands etc etc).

@GoodbyeStranger is that Oxford? I admit when I was procrastinating one day, I spent far too much time looking at the floor plans of DD's Cambridge college* freshers accommodation building and copied the college's spreadsheet of room/staircase numbers/letters, with price band, ensuite, etc and started ranking rooms by view/size/etc. Shared it with DD, who hasn't yet remarked on it. I presume she will not be impressed with my new (um) hobby?

*fingers crossed, knock wood, etc, etc

Thanks @FingernailNibbler... this is my GCSE candidate so it’s sixth form rather than university which is directly affected — but she’s v ambitious so is thinking she’ll be aiming at Oxford in due course.

Lol fingernailnibbler that's world class procrastination you have going on there 😂

Don't think DD will get any choice if she's makes it to Cambridge. They just allocate a room and all the first year rooms are extremely similar at her college. (But I may well have a similarly detailed analysis of accommodation options at her insurance option save on my pc somewhere.)

@Achickencalleddaal I wish someone needed a procrastinator on their team (for, say, £100k/year!).
For DD's chosen college, you can specify 'view', of which there are 5 in the main freshers building (very small numbers of freshers go to 2-3 other buildings, but I think there, you'd be plonked wherever there was an empty room). So, thinking about which floor and which view, there are a few differently shaped rooms, and some have ensuite and some have private bath across the hall. Yes, I have also watched Youtube vloggers show their room tours. ANYTHING except do today's tasks, even though I do truly love my work.

@FingernailNibbler that did make me smile. I thought the results day flowchart I made for DS was extreme

FingernailNibbler yes Oxford. So many different types of room! DD chose her six preferences within a couple of hours and sent them off, so that's all done.

DD sent me the link but I'm elsewhere with dodgy internet so was no use to advise.