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.

Sneaky, @sandybayley, on thread 9, but I did say the rule was no more than 3 posts in a row for one uni, and you made it 4 "Oxfords" in a row. So, I knew based on game theory that Cambridge would win, but I suspected that cheating by Oxford might happen. So, moral victory to Cambridge!

I've cracked and logged on. I tried to forget about this unholy mess for the day but failed and actually I feel a lot better having read all your funny, supportive and irreverent posts. So, thank you.

One more for Cambridge if I'm not too late for the poll. I hope to have many years of the Oxford v Cambridge rivalry with DS...

Mocks results - what an appalling idea. This is potentially helpful for DS but would require a fight because % achieved and grade given did not correlate, presumably to give incentive to improve. I didn't think anything of it at the time of course.

And moving the goalposts two days before results day? Words fail me.

Good luck getting through the day everyone. Try and keep busy and don't let your heads explode.

Thanks, Coleoptera - if you (or your DTs) are feeling slightly smug watching on to this horror show, then I don't really blame them!

Hello all
Absent for months as I refused to think or worry about tomorrow!
(My DS was an Oxford interview kid but no offer)
His mocks aren't quite good enough for his place at Durham but his predicted grades were. So we shall see. Just him and me at home tonight so I'll have a drink and take a pill to help me sleep and hopefully wake up to good news 
Thinking about all your O+C hopefuls and keeping everything crossed 🤞

PS @DadDadDad it's Cambridge!!

Just got a message from DS school confirming that they will release CAG and a reminder of mock results tomorrow morning.

The email is slightly non-committal on the subject of appeals: 'We are still awaiting details of how this will work from the Department of Education, but it looks like mock results can be used to appeal exam board standardised grades.'

Which I read as 'your guess is as good as mine.'

@TerfTerfTerf fingers crossed for your DS and Durham! I know their offers are often higher than Oxford’s. What is his insurance?

RoiseCap Thank you. She is really struggling to think of much else today!

@gizmo that is word for word what our school sent out earlier today!

@RoiseCap Durham want 2 A stars and an A
Insurance is York 3 As (same as Oxford and his mocks!)

I don't think he's looked at any Clearing places - head very much in sand, or asleep

Gizmo - that sounds very familiar!

Ok so if Terf's school has sent it I am guessing there has been a template sent by one of the awarding bodies or JCQ!

If ds is rejected and schools CAG grades are not enough for the standard offer does that stuff him from reapplying next year even if he gets his grades in autumn exams . Ie he’ll need to apply before autumn results are out with predicted grades and school won’t presumably predict for next years ucas any higher than this years CAG when they haven’t seen him since March .

Curtaincard

They may be able to predict him higher if they are the type of school that did their onw modelling and realised they could only give, eg, 5 x A* and he was ranked 6 so they gave an A.

They may also be prepared to go up if it is only one subject and the other two grades are fine because they may decide that as he only has one subject to revise instead of three with his full attention he could get higher than CAG.

Definitely have that conversation with school if it happens but I hope he is successful.

Thank you - fingers crossed

My lovely brother is waiting to see if he has a place for law at Cambridge. We are so so proud of him. UCL is one A* less so pretty tough as his second option. He worked so hard during the year he really deserves it.

Thinking of you all and sending positive thoughts and hopes!

Hi doadeer - sending very best wishes to your brother!

SO... THE WAIT IS NEARLY OVER

Er, yes, anyway, the pronouncements from government and the media storm this week have put a bit of a downer on the mood, but as the one who started this thread (albeit humbly wearing the mantle of my predecessors) I feel should try to say a few words on this auspicious eve.

Thank you DadDadDad for setting up these wonderful threads and for your wise words above. I wish all our children good luck tomorrow, and for all us supporters a good night’s sleep tonight.

I think this has been a rollercoaster for us all but the end is in sight.

DadDadDad you just made me tear up a bit. It's been good to have a bunch of people that understand at the other end of a WiFi connection. Especially as the year has got more tumultuous by the week. Very best wishes to everyone for tomorrow and let's keep up the mutual support no matter how things pan out.

Not in the pub @DadDadDad but sitting on a bench in the garden with a glass of white wine, reading your lovely post and rather wishing we were all raising a glass together.

One point of clarification: justaweebit is not the only Scot. I think I've made references to being a long way north before; I'm actually in Scotland. DS's school offers both Highers and A-levels and we chose the latter. What an irony it would be if that cost him..but I won't allow myself to go there.

I hope that every single one of us gets good news tomorrow and that the day will be joyous.

More wine..

Top marks to you for the Fatboyslim reference @DadDadDad.

Although I am mostly a lurker (otherwise I would be living on here), I'm quietly rooting for all of your DC. May all of them get to relax tomorrow; its undoubtedly been an ordeal by fire this year.

Thanks for that rather lovely message DadDadDad. Clink 🍸🍷to all of you.

DD was on a zoom call earlier for her college's offer holders and I forced her to have a glass of wine! It's going to be a long night. Best of luck all .

Well we’re all going to the pub tonight. A definite cheers to all fellow travellers!

Thanks @DadDadDad and cheers to everyone