Oxbridge Interviewees for 2021 Entry - The Journey Continues - Thread 5

[Baaaahhhhh]

New Thread from old one:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4088426-Oxbridge-Aspirants-2021-New-Thread-4

Thanks Lovecatsanddogs. Yes I think it will be ok. Tbh, it might make more difference at LSE because they don’t interview or assess submitted written work, so it’s all down to grades, PS and reference. Anxiously awaiting that too!

For some reason, even I am on the Durham mailing list. “Have a relaxing Christmas...” is the latest one from them. Well, a conditional offer would help!

It's so hard to get hold of these Uni's - my son has been told that UCL needs more info re fee status (as we were abroad for 7 years) but there is no link to the questionnaire - well neither of us could find it anyway ....... and no response to phone calls or emails

@BigWoollyJumpers my dd had a sort of xmas card through post from Lancaster which was nice ! Congratulating her on their offer 😄

God, I hope following this afternoons news, all our DC's get good news in January, they so deserve it. DD assumes she won't have any more driving lessons anytime soon having only just started up again, she won't be able to work at the cattery, and she won't be able to see her new boyfriend... well maybe, they are both tier 4, so can meet up outside. What a shit time to be a teenager.

Yes it’s so depressing for them and if this continues, do we think it’s inevitable they will follow Scotland and Wales and cancel exams? What a year!

Did had a pack through from York with a personalised letter with bits pulled out of her PS and pens and badges. Very impressive. Also an xmas card.

I have a feeling that exams may be cancelled too

I’m with you @Beetlesand

I think you might be right too, @Beetlesand, but cancelling exams isn’t the outcome my dc are hoping for 😕

My DD had a card from York - English Department. "Bah Humbug" on the front (in beautiful lettering). Hit the spot really.

I don't think mine want exams to be cancelled either (DS doing GCSEs). But very aware that no outcome can make things "fair" for those who are missing loads.

Oh gosh, hello all. DS is rather fed up at the thought of still not being able to see his gf indoors over Christmas. They've been making do with walks outside but it's flipping cold!

As for exams - I really don't know, the DfE seem adamant they'll go ahead (yes I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything) but didn't a pp say that, for instance in Wales where they've cancelled GCSEs the kids have all had to do lots of externally moderated assessments instead? Obviously we won't have those...

I think a lot might depend on whether they can get school attendance back up with this mass testing (and that's another nightmare dropped on the poor school teams just at the end of term) - most of our local secondaries were closed except for exam years by end of term here.

Hi there - been thinking about you all and your DC. Quite a lot to take in from yesterday, isn't it. I'm mostly worried about what this new strain of the virus might mean for schooling in the very near future. If it is much more transmissible then the government might be compelled to close schools to try to slow down the spread while they try to get people vaccinated. It seems like what little they thought they understood about how various measures could change the transmission rate is going to be thrown out the window. If the schools do end up closing, it's hard to see how exams can go ahead as planned. Pretty sobering stuff.

There is so much inconsistency for next years exams. Welsh A-levels will be based on CAGs; NI A-levels will be based on one exam per subject (rather than the usual two, in most cases); Scottish Highers will be CAGs and in England, where arguably, there have been the greatest inconsistencies in teaching and school closures for to Covid, we have exams proceeding as normal - albeit pushed back a few weeks and some vague promise that grade boundaries will be more or less in line with 2020 (whether this will actually happen, who knows because I can’t see another replay of last year’s grade inflation of 300% in some subjects due to the CAGs).

On the general 2021 uni thread, there is someone saying that her DC received a recent Manchester offer which was something like AAA, when the course is still advertised as ABB. I wonder if unis are now more likely to be issuing higher offers to mitigate against the impact of more generous grade boundaries (even though the extent of this is as yet undefined by GW)? Are we going to be in a position where Oxbridge react by adding on an extra A* to any offers made? I really hope not, because this year is stressful enough as it is.

Just posted on the general thread. I feel sure this new strain marks the death knoll on A levels in 2021. My ‘close my eyes very tightly and make a wish’ fantasy is that Oxbridge and other Unis who have comprehensively interviewed applicants, will make unconditional offers to those they want (with waiting list in operation too). They have the information to be able to do this surely? Am I try away with the fairies imagining this might be possible?

I agree. Unconditional offers are surely the way to go (my DS is a reapplicant so it's not relevant to him). I expect that very few, if any, open offers will be made this year as a consequence of the exam uncertainty.

I reckon you're right about the open offers @Tenpastseven. And as much as I'd like to wish for the same thing, I think unconditional offers are a Christmas miracle too far @MidLifeCrisis007 .

What do you guys mean by Open Offers?

Has anyone seen there is a Cambridge thread on TSR? Saw it yesterday and someone on there has linked this form which interviewers apparently use.

Sorry that’s poor quality as DS texted it and my phone is not great. But, if it’s not readable, it’s on the TSR website. There are lots of Cambridge chats, but this one is named as a “sticky.”

An open offer at Oxford means that you have a place if you get your grades, but your College isn't guaranteed. A College underwrites your offer & if no other College picks you up, you are guaranteed a place with them.

Thanks @Hoghgyni . Didn't know this existed

I find myself agreeing with the unconditional offers concept. It's the most sensible route forward. In doing so, this would have a positive knock on effect to universities in the next tier - Durham, LSE, Imperial, Warwick etc in being able to make the right number of offers.

My dd is hoping exams will be cancelled. There's a part of her that enjoys the challenge of sitting exams, but a larger part that knows the severe stress and effect on mental health that A Levels can bring. She is of the view that exams are not the best way to measure success or suitability for a university course. You could be the most brilliant student ever and still have an off day on the day of the exam.

I agree with the unconditional offers. If A Level grades are unreliable, then they should not be relied on, and this year, there is simply no way of achieving parity in a national ranking exercise.