Oxbridge Aspirants 2021 - New Thread (2)

[Baaaahhhhh]

Sorry posted last message on the last thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3757768-Oxbridge-Aspirants-Sep-2021

Here is the new one......

Sorry, the second half of my comment disappeared into the ether earlier.

Oh I see @Hoghgyni, so this was Oxford collecting data for last years Y13s?

@ErrolTheDragon

Such a shame the interviews are going to be online because I thought a few days away would give him a taster of the privilege it would be to get a place at Cambridge.

The Cambridge interviews aren't normally "a few days away" anyway, and afaik don't give much of a taste of what it's like to live or study there. He's probably not missing too much from that POV.

I disagree with this. Yes, it was only one (packed) day. But it was our first time really inside DD'a chosen college. She loved the interviews and was sailing afterwards. So eager to get there and have the privilege of learning from these people every week. After the interviews we skulked around the college and then had a better look around town. She got a great feel for the city. On the Open Day, we had dashed around like headless chickens and ran out of time. This definitely felt closer to the real thing. And 'meeting' other applicants waiting for interviews made her imagine that these might be future friends. It did make it all feel real and more achievable. It was a magical day.

@quest1on

I will be honest, my kids are in 4 different schools and all had full, online teaching over lockdown. All but one (who, shall we say, wasn’t always engaging as required ) found it very intense. You had to be logged on at 8.15 or whenever ti register it you were marked as unauthorised absent. There was form time or assemblies. My younger ones (in years 7 and 9) were in the garden in PE kit doing PE in the form of online aerobics at 8.45 some mornings! I couldn’t believe it. They even had to do things like cookery and submit photos of all the stages and the finished product. The teachers weren’t always visible online as in face to face, but everything happened in “real time” in the sense that work had to be submitted at the end of each lesson for marking as normal. They even did choirs and music ensembles online (each recording their own parts).

DS (who is the one I’m on this thread about) did online exams in April with cameras enabled on the computer. He was exhausted that term, more so than normal. On top of this, he did a 15,000 word EPQ, an essay competition entry and another one for a publication. He also did online voluntary work which was 10 hours per week. Then, in last week of term, the school emailed to say there would be a formal exam week starting from the first Monday back in Sept for the purpose of reinforcing evidence for predicted grades, so they had revise through August for six two hour papers in the first week back. Then they had about three days between finding out their final predicted grades to the internal deadline for Oxbridge forms and if they were late, the school wouldn’t check them. So it’s been very full on and a lot have missed the deadlines because it all got too much.

Just a note, this seems to indicate that all candidates (and their siblings) need a personal computer to be able to manage the online lessons. And have very strong WiFi. This isn't possible for all families.

Claraszoo - I see , apologies I see you are advocating a level playing field regardless, just pointing out that the self starters would probably be those suited to Oxbridge.

I don't disagree- l do however feel that nevertheless, those who have had actual teaching in real time have certainly benefited over those who have had to muddle through trying to teach themselves, which is why I'm glad if the unis are making enquiries in an attempt to factor this in to decision making.

Whether they realistically can entirely level the playing field is a complicated issue of course but I'm glad if they are trying.

@Tenpastseven

Oh I see *@Hoghgyni*, so this was Oxford collecting data for last years Y13s?

That's right, but it means they already know what they are interested in finding out and have the systems in place to collect it.

Ah, it obviously (as with so much O&C stuff) varies by college and course, FingernailNibbler. I'm glad your DD had a great interview day. DDs was pretty much interview/extra test/interview and out.

I'm surprised you were allowed anywhere near the college on interview day, FingernailNibbler. Ds's college sent a letter in advance firmly stating that no parent would be allowed into the college. Apparently there had been "unsporting behaviour" by some parents previously... And I do believe that some parents actually think they're going to go into the exam room!

At Oxford the candidates (in normal times) stay for a day or two or three and get to know the other candidates. There's no room for parents, physically or mentally. I did see on the student room last year a parent asking what accommodation would be provided for her and for her dd . The college admissions person on the thread crisply told them their fortune.

exam room.... interview room I should have typed.

Anyone else got a PM from 'JWC123' offering oxbridge tutoring?
Well... if they think their services are of any potential interest to me, it doesn't exactly instil confidence in their basic comprehension abilities.

Ooh yes, just looked and I had one; it was already deleted, though.

I did too, deketed before I could see it

Anyone else got a PM from 'JWC123' offering oxbridge tutoring?

Yes! One a couple of weeks ago, and I reported them. MN had apparently blocked them. Got another today...... will let MN know.

I feel left out now! 🤣. I didn’t get one.

@Crikeyblimey

I feel left out now! 🤣. I didn’t get one.

Obviously they astutely judge that your DC has no need for their services.

I got one as well. I responded that DS1 started at Oxford this month so doesn't need tutoring, kind of them to offer though..

@ErrolTheDragon - I very much doubt their algorithms are working properly 🤣

Crikey... neither did I
Lol!!!

@IrmaFayLear

I'm surprised you were allowed anywhere near the college on interview day, FingernailNibbler. Ds's college sent a letter in advance firmly stating that no parent would be allowed into the college. Apparently there had been "unsporting behaviour" by some parents previously... And I do believe that some parents actually think they're going to go into the exam room!

At Oxford the candidates (in normal times) stay for a day or two or three and get to know the other candidates. There's no room for parents, physically or mentally. I did see on the student room last year a parent asking what accommodation would be provided for her and for her dd . The college admissions person on the thread crisply told them their fortune.

Yes, I know it's a point of honour for some parents to state that they (barely) slow down the car and push their teen out, or let them forage for berries as they plod 20 miles barefoot to reach their interviews. I guess I'm somewhere between that and a helicopter parent. My DD and I went up by train the night before (yes, together), had a lovely dinner and stayed in a B&B. She definitely wanted me to be there with her. I'm certainly no help in prepping for subject interviews, just moral support. DD's college had the bar/café set up for students (and parents) to wait as there was sometimes a large gap in between the interviews, and obviously people want to set out quite early in case of traffic or train delays, so many arrived very early. If the college hadn't allowed parents in, I would have found a café in town, obviously. During DD's first interview I left the college in search of a cash point, then we had lunch together in the Buttery (I was not the only parent there! And we hadn't seen the Buttery yet), then after her 2nd, we asked if we could poke around since we hadn't reached the college in time for tours on Open Day. They were very relaxed about it, so we had a stroll and a chat. It remains a very precious moment for us both. Then we looked around town, as we hadn't had a chance to during the Open Day, and hadn't been to Cambridge town centre before, then went shopping and got the train home. I'm certain many of you class this as helicoptering, and I don't care a jot. We had a very special day and I cherish it. I'm glad my daughter likes spending time with me, especially since we won't see each other for several months. You do you.

I do think DD and I are romantics. So we wandered around the college, her imagining where future things might happen. Chats with future friends. Drinks and picnics in a sunny spot. Punting with pals. Nursing a broken heart. On and on. She really made herself at home (in her imagination).

If it helps, I still haven't seen a photo of her finished room, and she's been there what, 2 weeks?

Just a tadge hyperbolic there perhaps ... sounds like a very lovely day, at the luckier end of 'perfectly normal' . DH on chauffeur duty had a good potter in the Fitzwilliam and coffee in a nice coffee shop nearly opposite, but wasn't allowed into the college. (DD doesn't seem too sorry in retrospect she was pooled elsewhere).

Fingernailnibbler that sounds like a wonderful day with your dd.

@tenpastseven Thanks for help with SAQ topics question. Dc’s Teacher said to add as many Favourite ones as possible . Dc is nearly ready to submit it now .

Exciting @Johnathonripples. DS has now submitted SAQ along with the confidentiality/extra information form the college emailed through last week. He’s meeting with his teachers today to help chose which 2 pieces of work to upload. It makes it all a bit more real!