Oxbridge Aspirants 2021-New Thread 4

[Baaaahhhhh]

And we are off:

Thread 3 link: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4070531-Oxbridge-Aspirants-2021-New-Thread-3

Hi - I have a question for those who've got an interview for Cambridge.

I've just noticed that DS's interview confirmation came from the "Widening Participation Officer, Admissions Office".

Is there anything to read from this?

Is it just all hands to the pump to get the interview offers out or is this part of that role or is DS somehow been classed as part of "widening"?

Thoughts appreciated

@RunnersTipple it is so heartening to know that there are so many parents feeling the same 💐

RunnersTipple i would feel the same. We live quite near to Cambridge so that adds to why I would love her to go there as opposed to the other end of the country. I found myself earlier looking at Gonville' online specifically at their chapel choir which is one of the reasons dd chose this college as she desperately wants to be a part of it. It looks perfect for her but i must stop as i know there is such a small chance of her getting an offer plus i have to remember that she needs to get the predicted grades once taking her A levels...

hi DeRig. i looked at the forwarded text dd sent me for her interview. I can't see the wording that you have described so I have nothing to add really other than i think you are over thinking it.....(sounds like the sort of thing I would normally do). It's all good! An interview is an interview. They wouldn't have graded them if that is what you are thinking? Dd & I a while ago were watching some REALLY old Cambridge interviews (fly on the wall type stuff) from either 70's or 80's on youtube. Take a look, it's great stuff

@beethecrackon24995

hi DeRig. i looked at the forwarded text dd sent me for her interview. I can't see the wording that you have described so I have nothing to add really other than i think you are over thinking it.....(sounds like the sort of thing I would normally do). It's all good! An interview is an interview. They wouldn't have graded them if that is what you are thinking? Dd & I a while ago were watching some REALLY old Cambridge interviews (fly on the wall type stuff) from either 70's or 80's on youtube. Take a look, it's great stuff

Thanks - I probably am over thinking 🧐

It just seemed a bit unusual in that other than being at a state non selective school (though reasonably well performing but not outstanding - last OFSTED rating was "good") DS doesn't really seem like an applicant whose overtly "widening" the access criteria wrt the obvious need to provide better access on the basis of socio economic factors or race/ethnicity.

DeRigueurMortis my guess is that at your DS's college the WPO is simply the person signing off the invites. At other colleges it may not be the same.

@DeRigueurMortis I agree that it is probably just the person who happened to sign it off. FWIW I imagine that Dc is an applicant who might be described as widening access ( a couple of reasons) but I checked when you mentioned it and hers isn’t from widening participation . I think that that at this stage it’s probably just a case of many hands getting the job done.

What a nerve wracking few days! Enormous congratulations to all those securing interviews and commiserations to those who didn't. DD went to bed early last night thoroughly fed up of the waiting and then had an email ping through very late offering an interview!

Yay!!

Can I ask if all applicants will have heard one way or another by now? Don’t have a child applying but wondering on behalf of pupils. Thanks.

Just catching up with the thread.

Well done to the latest interview holders, a great achievement.

Still waiting nervously here (History, Oxford). Dd seems to think she will hear on Monday. She also seems quite confident she will get an interview, I don’t know what to say to prepare her in case it’s bad news. So many great students not getting an interview, the competition is fierce.

Well done @Eastisup is that O or C?

@bendmeoverbackwards Thank you, it's for History at O

@Decorhate - There's still colleges sending out invites (especially for medicine or Veterinary Medicine).

DD had been told that she should have heard one way or the other by 30th November (we were relieved to get an e-mail yesterday though to spare us a weekend of suspense) but I don't know if that's the same for all Oxbridge colleges.

I wonder if there's a bit of Oxbridge admissions academics and staff overtime happening this weekend or whether they're having a breather instead before finishing off next week.

Oh that’s exactly what we’re waiting for here! (well AMH to be specific). Making me more nervous now!

I wish the Oxford history departments would get a move on. This dribbling out is v irritating

@Decorhate

Can I ask if all applicants will have heard one way or another by now? Don’t have a child applying but wondering on behalf of pupils. Thanks.

No, not all colleges have sent out invitations for all subjects, at least not at Oxford. DD has an important non-university thing that'll have to be rescheduled if she does get an interview, so I'm refreshing the college's list every couple of hours to see if emails need checking. Hers aren't timetabled until the last week of (school) term, but they'll let her know at least a week beforehand.

Any waiting historians: DD2 got her Oxford History invite on a Saturday (the equivalent of today), which surprised her.

On the TSR Cambridge invites tracker, 3 entries have appeared relating to Robinson College detailing that invites were received today !

DS is still waiting for his interview date/time. I was stupidly under the impression that the email he had received from Cambridge said 'this is not a guarantee of an interview' but having re-read it I see that it says 'I can confirm that you will be invited to interview', which explains why ds has been fairly relaxed while some of his schoolmates receive invitations (or not)! My bad for not actually reading the email myself!

TBF we have had a crazy week with other things going on. The college have said they will definitely let him know by 'end of November' so that means Monday presumably...

Hi all just catching up with the thread - massive congratulations to all dcs with interview invitations. We finally heard this week that DS has an interview (C, NatSci).

@beethecrackon24995 just reading the thread as I was in your position 4 and 2 years ago.

DD1 is now a 4th year NatSci at C in her Masters year and is coincidentally good friends with @goodbyestranger's DS4 from school. Your comment on the chapel choir was what prompted me to reply. Whilst students often apply to their own college choir, they don't have to do that. DD's college choir has a fairly big time commitment as they do a lot of services & rehearsal in non-Covid times. She didn't apply in year 1 as she playing in an orchestra & was coxing one of her college boats, but in year 2 went for a chat with the Director of Music & sang for them - DD had sung in a mixed choir right through secondary school. DoM said she was a decent singer and suggested she went to the next college along the road. DoM emailed their counterpart and following a quick audition DD has been singing there for the last 2 years. I know another student from the same school is at G&C but sings in Johns choir as she & DD have done some joint services.

Good luck to all parents & offspring. It's a rollercoaster ride. Having had one DD make it and one rejected post interview, it's tough but they will all end up somewhere and if like my DDs, will thoroughly enjoy the experience.

Thanks all. I think it was easier when they all got a letter in the post on the same day!

Anyone waiting on news from Oriel, there's 3 entries added to the TSR tracker spreadsheet detailing today as received date (including an AMH entry).

DD is checking as hand holding with a school friend who is waiting to hear from Oxford

Still waiting for Oxford History here. One of her friends from school was rejected yesterday by Oxford, albeit a different college.