Oxbridge 2020 (thread 10) - the path to the first term (just one slight hurdle to clear first)

[DadDadDad]

For better or worse, there is a bit of a bond of mutual experience between parents whose DC go through the Oxbridge application process. Thank you for your companionship so far - and thank you to others who started the earlier threads in this series.

This thread should take us to the start of the first term (whatever form that takes). All welcome here, but for many of us hopefully this will be the place for practical support as we help prepare these peculiar* young adults to spread their wings.

But the first item on the agenda appears to be the small matter of judgement...

*or for those who chose Oxford, very peculiar.

Another bit of news … Dd received an email from her college to say they are taking 9% more students to accommodate those who have now got places at Oxford, but where their offer cannot be honoured at their original collage due to space considerations. It means they will be a bit more crowded but the student body seems really upbeat about it on their Instagram & Facebook pages.

Unescorted, so some students are being given places at a completely different college? That’s big news.

Is that at one of the big central colleges, Unescorted? There are some who will find it much easier to rustle up some extra rooms than others, who have building work going on or already were limited in space.

Anyone heard anything from Cambridge yet? As we know from the lovely successes on this thread, they went ahead with pooling system rather than taking many who had missed grades. DD has a friend who got a place through pool who is panicked that they’ll rescind it now, but legally and morally I don’t believe that can be done.

Pity Westminster can’t move Gavin to a different ‘college’. Something he can’t ruin, like catering.

He’s being kept in post to take the blame if reopening schools is a disaster. Replace him now and they might need to replace his replacement in a few weeks...

Yes it is - central and big.

Fly - it appears that way form the wording of the email. They had already reviewed all their offer holders and given places to them on a case by case basis.

form = from... my typing is awful.

He’s being kept in post to take the blame if reopening schools is a disaster. Replace him now and they might need to replace his replacement in a few weeks...

Does that make sense politically? Surely, a replacement would have a honeymoon period, draw a line under the results fiasco, and say they are focussing on addressing concerns about the reopening of schools. If problems do arise, they will be judged more on how they respond. (Of course, if it goes well, I'm sure they'll take the credit...)

If Boris keeps in him post I can only see the pressure on him growing. If he comes off holiday and sacks GW, he can be seen as a man of action and disassociate himself from the mess.

Maybe Michael Gove could come back to the DfE.

I just laughed out loud at the thought of Govey sweeping back in!

Fly - if that makes you laugh, may I suggest you are one twisted individual...

The thought of him pulling on his Superman cape and breezing in to fix things! As if we haven’t all suffered enough...

sandy we're steeped in Resistance stuff, our family (great uncle led the Polish Resistance and every family member was involved, the same as so many Poles). When we were in Florence recently, exploring the surrounding area I wandered around looking at those plaques, commemorating fighters who were given short shrift by those in power. Sobering stuff.

Hope you're enjoying your holiday. I'm working on the insurance claim for ours - boo.

Wondering if anyone’s DC who’s going to Cambridge has heard anything from their college regarding moving in dates?

Cambridge have very recently released a new statement regarding this year’s undergraduate admissions in which it mentions deferral to 2021 will be required for some offer holders.

A little worrying...

Yup @PortusCale, weekend of 26/27 for DD, a week earlier than term dates. Limited dropping off times, no primping of room etc, all as we expected but will be a bit sad not to help her nest. Cue avalanche of comments about over involved parenting.

DS hasn’t heard anything yet. Are you allowed in to see her room hobbema? I confess I am somewhat over involved myself...it’s been on my mind these past 2 years or so

Have DM’d you!

@goodbyestranger - good luck with the insurance claim. We have friends who have a house in the Alps and they were planning to spend 3 weeks there but turned round after 4 days so they'd be out of quarantine to get there little one to school for the first day of reception.

N Italy is very OK at the moment. The Italians are pleased to see the tourists and it was nearly impossible to get a table at lunchtime.

DS1 has been our getting passport photos today. He's obviously got a pack of stuff to deal with. Will find out what when I speak to him later!

@PortusCale DS was given the choice of 3 dates and has chosen 1 October.

Has anyone going to Oxford been contacted about when to arrive? I am assuming some time during the first weekend of October, but don’t want to arrange flights in case this is wrong.

DS has been told it will be a slot on weekend of 3-4 October.

DS1 has been asked to rank 2, 3, 4 and 5 October for arrival at his small Oxford college. Hoping to get a weekend slot (he has requested) but I don't mind if not.

He's very busy today filling in forms downloaded from the college intranet - which he now has access to. And getting passport photos taken. He's also doing something on student finance and doing some washing.

I should leave him home alone more often. He's very productive!

I haven't even seen around either of their colleges yet and maybe I never will now?

Maybe I'm alone in this, but I don't think their first day is the time for this. Let them focus on getting to grips with a new home and new people.

Then visit them later (say at end of term - or perhaps once pandemic restrictions are lifted, as guests at formal hall), let them give you the proud tour of their college (they'll know its nooks and crannies by then), maybe meet some of their new friends, etc. I think that will be much more relaxed.

For DS, it was very much the case they want you gone so they can mingle. Breezy fake smile,” can’t wait to hear your news”, then bawl in the car. They seem to flag 4-5 weeks in so that’s a good time to visit for a good dinner, drop off treats and maybe get a tour then .... I’m hoping!

DS's Oxford college has also put out a statement about accepting all for this year or 2021. So I am now worrying about him possibly having to defer. I hope it's just needless worry on my part! His college have also now taken down the "new students" page that was on their website over the weekend!