Oxbridge-Aspirants-2021-New-Thread-3

[Baaaahhhhh]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4016760-Oxbridge-Aspirants-2021-New-Thread-2

New Thread !

Regarding interviews, surely it isn't about personality, though. I can't believe that if an interviewee is shy, nervous and quiet at the start of the interview (that'll be my DS too) that they are going to spoil their chances? It isn't like an interview for a job where you need a certain personality to 'fit in'. It's the reasoning and the critical thinking that they're looking for, isn't it? Not whether or not you greet the interviewer all cheery and full of beans. I've also read that the initial questions about 'Why Oxford' and "Why this subject' are just ice-breakers, really.

@DeRigueurMortis Congratulations to your DS! Hopefully the first of many.

DD has a ‘practice’ interview at school tomorrow (despite no reply from the college yet ). She reckons it’s better to be prepared than not. Ho him, we wait!

I went to UCL in the late 90's and had an absolute blast. Student life in London was brilliant. However I have often wondered if I would have preferred a campus Uni but never had any issues making friends, mixing with others, both at UCL and other London uni's. However I did find that after the first year a lot of the people I befriended chose to travel from home for the second year. However I thought I will get a room in a hostel which was so cheap that a lot of them followed here

Great news deRigeur congratulations to your DS!

@DeRigueurMortis many congratulations to your DS 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Thanks again for all the lovely posts!

He came home from school looking (and behaving towards me and DH) very nonchalant but within 15 mins had rung both sets of GP's to tell them the news so underneath it all he's obviously quite pleased.

We've obviously said we're pleased for him but gently reminded him bit like running in the Grand National.

He might have cleared the first fence but there's still a lot of ground and bigger fences to cover, including Becher's Brook before the finish line....

Exciting news, @DeRigueurMortis!

DD has just received an offer from Durham (AAB). It's a really, really close second to Oxford for her, so she can now relax a lot more. Only UCL (apart from Oxford, obviously) left to hear from, but that is not really relevant now.

DD came home earlier and told me that one of her friends has been invited for interview, Oxford Biology.

Very happy for her friend but it's upped the ante here!

@Summer15coming that's brilliant news!!!

Congratulations 🥳

DS has an offer from his second choice (Lancaster) that he's really happy with so we feel really fortunate that if Cambridge doesn't work out he's got an achievable offer from a Uni he'll be very very happy to go to.

Having that offer from Durham must feel really good for you and your DD .

It really takes some of the pressure off when they've got a solid second choice they would be really happy with.

@Summer15coming

Exciting news, *@DeRigueurMortis*!

DD has just received an offer from Durham (AAB). It's a really, really close second to Oxford for her, so she can now relax a lot more. Only UCL (apart from Oxford, obviously) left to hear from, but that is not really relevant now.

That's great news - your DD must be so pleased. That kind of thing really does help to take the pressure off.

Great to hear about the interview invites and offers coming in. DD has been thinking that she will live at home if UCL is where she ends up. I am not sure whether that will isolate her too much.

Noting the earlier conversation about organ scholars. Yes they get to apply to both Oxford and Cambridge, and yes they do (mostly) get interviewed way in advance. But bear in mind that most of the colleges that offer organ scholarships (which is not quite all of them) typically offer on average one every other year (as far as I can tell), and only if there is a suitable applicant. So the numbers involved are pretty small.

By contrast, although fewer colleges offer choral scholarships overall, those that do typically offer 3 or 4 a year or sometimes more. So while it is still small numbers it is much more significant.

(I'm overinvested in this - DD should get a choral award if she gets a place, DS will probably be applying on organ in 2 years' time)

@Pythonesque

I had no idea about the choral/organ scholarships (not a musical family) but have fallen down a rabbit hole looking at them after your post.

Golly it sounds incredibly rewarding and an amazing opportunity but also a LOT of work on top of studies (up to 7 services a week plus practices depending on the collage etc).

I'm assuming most applicants would be applying to study music or am I wrong in this?

It's obviously hugely competitive and applicants must be super talented I would assume so I can't imagine many doing this and studying for a completely different discipline - but obviously I know very little other than what I've read in the last hour.

Hope you enjoyed the rabbithole!

Actually it's very common for choral scholars to study subjects other than music, and not uncommon for organ scholars as far as I know. Some colleges are busier than others; and some subjects with busier workloads / lab times likely to conflict with practices, are not able to be combined with choirs with bigger commitments. But many of the choirs have 3, 2, or even 1 service a week plus a practice or two so to an extent students can match themselves to the commitment they are interested in. And there are lots of opportunities to join some of the lower commitment choirs after starting university.

DD has sung in choirs regularly since she was 7 so it's a part of her life. She's applied to one of the 3 services a week colleges that does significant recordings and touring out of term as well. She feels that the commitment is likely to help keep her disciplined in how she uses her time. (She also rows and we're looking forward to seeing just how much she manages to keep up, depending on which university she ends up at next year!)

DS hasn't chosen his A levels yet though I think maths / FM are a given. Music at university is possible but so are maths and computer science and probably a few other options!

Many congrats @DeRigueurMortis!

Also to @Summer15coming for the Durham offer.

We have some exciting news too - DD got her much wanted offer Durham for History, A Star A A - she is ecstatic! We were quite prepared to wait until March for an offer so this has been a very unexpected surprise.

So assuming she gets rejected from Oxford, she'll firm Durham and insure with Exeter. Over the moon!

@Jano69 that's brilliant news 😀

Obviously best wishes for Oxford but Durham/Exeter is a great combo, not surprised you're over the moon!

We are still waiting on Durham but as stands Lancaster is DS's preference after Cambridge due to course/location.

That great @DeRigueurMortis - having followed these higher education threads for some time, Lancaster's reputation as a first choice university seems to strengthen year on year.

@Jano69 congratulations to your DD!

Does anyone know if Durham offers also come in for different subjects/ colleges at different times?

@chopc

As far as I've researched the answer is yes.

So no need for anyone to be discouraged at this point if they haven't heard from Durham, my understanding is offers filter out for quite a while yet.

Gosh well done to your DD on that very early offer for Durham History Jano69. That's really unusual.

chocp Durham offers are made by the department. College has no bearing on timing whatsoever.

Congrats on the Durham offers!

Thank you goodbyestranger, as you say it's most unusual for Durham to make history offers before Christmas. We wonder if Durham are doing things differently this year.

Jano69 that’s great news -congratulations to your DD!

We’re still waiting on Durham answer here, so it’s nice to know that decisions are starting to be sent out.

Congratulations on the offers . Very interested to hear about Durham history offers as that's the one DS is keen to receive. I was assuming we'd have to wait until well into next year (perhaps we will as they might trickle out)!

Jano69 some of my DC have had other subjects (Law, Biology, Classics) offered ahead of Christmas (and that's been mirrored at school), but Durham has made no History offers at all to the three of my DC who applied until January/ February, and that has also been exactly the same at school. They may be mixing it up for 'regular' History applicants this year or your DD may be beyond outstanding!