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.

Coleoptera it's hard to imagine that Cambridge won't rank order those with unconditionals like DT1 at the top of the list. He should be fine, nothing else would make sense.

The order will presumably go those with unconditionals ie post A level offerees, those with places confirmed on results day, those with places confirmed after the move to CAGs. I can't see how they could do a lottery.

Absolutely I am sure he will be fine. It seems like a sensible solution to e mail and see if any one wants to. Some students may welcome deferral but would normally be unable to ask.

Durham have said it will go in that order although they are also looking for volunteers to defer. Now some people are kicking up a fuss saying it is unfair that UF from 13th rank above those who were upgraded after the climb down and that everyone should go back into the pot again . I do see what they are saying but really they are between a rock and a hard place .

DS hasn’t had any emails from his college Coleoptera - not since a couple of weeks ago when he received receipt of his module choices.

I really hope that students such as your DTs and my DS who received unconditionals based on 2019 grades achieved won’t be put in the “pot” so to speak.

Is DT1’s college a large one? Would it be worth him emailing his DoS?

Not Oxbridge related but Good Luck to any of your gcse children today. We’re doing the results thing again in about an hour with DD...

Good luck Flyonawalk - and to everyone who has DC getting GCSEs today. Relieved not to be in that position!

@Flyonawalk - same to you as well. DD is fast asleep. I don't have the heart to wake her. She's hoping for good results to set her up for a medicine application, maybe at Oxford. If so I'll be back in the double hell of Oxford Medicine angst in 12 months!

@Coleoptera, hope DT1 gets some clarity asap. Nothing similar from DDs small college but she did fill in a form a while ago which asked if she’d consider it. I think there’s massive variation from college to college, some offer holders in her subject have been asked by their DoS to pick papers, write essays as far back as June which unsettled her a bit. Then she decided that this was her last bit of time for three years to just read what she wanted slowly and for fun!
Good luck to anyone with DC getting GCSEs today.

I'll take the good luck wishes - DS2 about to get his GCSE results.

Not trying to be flippant, but after the turmoil of the past week, I'm fairly relaxed about today's results - unless the school where he's staying for A-levels has done something very strange, he should be set to continue on to next year. Not quite the same knife-edge as an Oxford offer!

10 9s! Gobsmacked and very proud.

DS2's GCSE results just arrived. I think on paper they are stronger than DS1's, but DS2 is not the "academic" one . I foresee much teasing of DS1 by DS2.

Well done to her sandy. That should help a bit with the Oxford med application :)

Way to go @sandybayley and @DadDadDad DC!! I foresee more Oxbridge threading for you two maybe!! Congrats!

I foresee more Oxbridge threading for you two maybe!!

Ah, but this is what I mean about DS2 not being "academic" (probably not quite the right word) - he's not pursuing sciences, and has no interest in essay-based subjects or debating abstract questions (never reads a book) - he will need to look for something more broad-based with a practical / tech-y element that will keep his interest. No doubt he's bright, but we know that not all bright people fit the Oxbridge mould.

Thank you all for wishes - she’s very happy! Wasn’t sure what to expect but celebrating!

Well done all!! DS2 gets his email at 10am. And that's the end of my public exam journey (DS2 doing plumbing next year) - I won't pretend I'm sad about that

I'm expecting DD1 results shortly. Doubt there will be any celebrating in this house. Well done to the other DC on here.

Well done to Sandy and DDD DC!

My home educated DD2 got her final results today. In total she’s got 8 x 9 or A* and 1 x A. Very very pleased for her. And pretty chuffed with my school’s performance 😬

Ofsted Outstanding for @PantTwizzler Academy 🎉well done you