Oxford Cambridge 2021 Thread 6

[Chocomel]

Hopefully this is in the right place?

So difficult @LoonvanBoon it's stressful enough with one dc, let alone two!

My dd also fell in love with Oxford even without going to any Open Days. She had set her heart on it and a few months back said she couldn't see herself going anywhere else. She will have some decision making to do but not yet. If she does decide to take a year out and reapply, she will have to be sure she can face the possibility of another rejection and have a suitable back up plan.

I'm gutted for her TBH. I don't want to blow my own trumpet but she really does seem like Oxbridge material. There was 'something' about her from babyhood, I couldn't even put my finger on it...and so many adults and teachers have commented similarly.

I know she will be ok in the long run. It's just horrible for them now.

bendmeoverbackwards
Worth taking a year out and reapplying, or applying to Cam.
DS didn't get into Cambridge last year, but has got Oxford this year.

It's a gamble though isn't it? Though from talking to my lovely neighbours, dd might decide on a gap year to do something different after the awful time we've all had.

Anyway it's too early to think about just yet.

LoonvanBoon History students at Oxford these days do not have to be passionate about their subject. A tutor once said to me that he'd find an 18yr old who was passionate about History decidedly odd, and that passion at 18yrs is much better directed elsewhere. What he did want to see was an aptitude for the subject and a general engagement with it on arrival, which he could grow over the three years into something more. Three of my DC read History at Oxford and not one of the three arrived 'passionate' but all benefited enormously from their experience. So DT2 shouldn't feel that he'll differ on that score; he'll merely be mainstream.

Re gap years - they can be a very good thing. My DS1 had his heart set on Imperial and didn't get an offer the first time. He needed time to regroup and was successful when he reapplied a year later. He was honestly much better prepared for the work and his studies. Everything just fitted into place.

Hi just catching up - what a rollercoaster of a morning! Is that all responses in now?

Huge congratulations to everyone who got good news. Sounds like a mixed bag this year? For anyone’s DC who has been redirected this year - yes, it’s obviously very disappointing. But once they’re established with their friends etc wherever they do go, they won’t be able to imagine life having turned out any other way. Plus, there’s always the option to apply for a Masters at Oxford?

DS doesn’t do history A-level, but he did it at GCSE and had the most lovely teacher. I remember how he once told the class that he was devastated when he didn’t get into Oxford. But he went to Durham instead which was a gift in disguise, as not only did the course turn out to be more suited to him, it’s also where he met his wife. Do it was clearly meant to be. And then he ended up at Oxford anyway for his MA.

(You can tell I’m psyching up for the 25th ). But still, it’s true.

Bend - I really hope your DD is ok. What are her other options at the moment?

Gosh @LoonvanBoon that is tricky. Do you think that DT2 didn't really think he would get in so forced an indifference. And now he maybe feels guilty and not as 'worthy' of his place as DT1 hasn't got in?

Thank you @quest1on she has offers from Manchester, Liverpool and Exeter. She had said recently she liked the look of Liverpool but I think she should look again at Exeter. Still waiting to hear from Durham but she's gone off it. She's worrying now that she didn't choose her other options carefully enough, even though it seems to me she did her research pretty thoroughly.

I'm sure she will consider a gap year but I don't know what she would do. She was keen to spread her wings but post Covid I don't know what work or travel opportunities will be available to her.

bend - yes DS also waiting on Durham but saying he’s gone off it. I think an actual offer might make it seem more appealing though . I think they just take sooo long the students just kind of switch off? Mind you, I think I did hear from somewhere (was it on here?) that last year Durham made a whole load of offers on Oxford results day?

I wonder if unis are frantically cutting back on their offer ratios now, in light of another year of CAGS?

Hi all.

Just checking in to say congrats to the offer holders and giving big hugs to the redirections.

I think we should all do a virtual toast with our wine glasses tonight. It's been a gruelling process in the worst of years so hats off frankly. Who's in?

Count me in @Tenpastseven clink

I realise it's not tonight yet, but I'm hitting the virtual wine early!

Definitely in for that!

@bendmeoverbackwards I feel your DD should have another go. Given her heart was so set on Oxford. She will have the experience of this year and if applying for an arts subject will have several months available to really pursue her reading etc to come up with another PS and with the benefit of hindsight, prepare better for the aptitude tests and interview. I have a feeling she may regret the what ifs if she doesn't.

Yes I appreciate I know nothing about your DD apart from what you have written here so may be completely off mark!

Huge congratulations to all those with offers and commiserations to those without - this is such a hard process and our kids have done so well! Bad news here unfortunately . DD was absolutely inconsolable for about 3 hours but her friends organised a Zoom call for her and she’s feeling much better now. She’s now trying to distract herself with revision for tomorrow’s mock exams. 4 down, 10 to go!
To all those whose DC have been redirected, are they considering reapplying? She’s adamant that she doesn’t want to reapply to a school that doesn’t want her but is thinking about either taking a gap year and applying to Cambridge or deferring her Durham offer to next year and going to live with Dad (abroad) for a year who she hasn’t seen in 18 months. Maybe a bit selfish of me but I really just want her to go straight to uni as I’m worried about the mental health impact of being rejected twice.

None of the applicants from her school got into Oxford unfortunately but at least she’s not alone. Her best friend and girlfriend both applied to Cambridge so we’ll see how the 25th pans out. Best of luck to all those still waiting!

@LoonvanBoon I don't think it's Oxford per se that's the issue here. Do you think your DT2 may benefit from talking to an independent counsellor? He sounds as though he has low self esteem but is rather bright and should do very well. But as all our DC's on this thread are rather bright, his self confidence will be what sets him apart whatever he does in the future?

Apologies if I have got it completely wrong and am talking out of turn

Oxford says it made over 3500 offers today.

I know exactly what you mean @bendmeoverbackwards about seeing something special in your DD! My DD has had a redirection this morning and I’m gutted for her...

Congratulations to those with offers, very well done.
To those with redirections, I hope your DC are okay, as we have said it’s just a different route to their expected destinations. Some will end up in different lovely universities for them and some will choose to re-apply. For now it’s digesting the news and lots of TLC. They have done well to even apply and get this far.
History seems to be popular this year.
I actually felt my heart was going to pop out of my chest trying to read all the messages.
My DS’s best friend had a redirection and they are in the middle of mocks, so he has been down.
Reality has really sunk in for me, the next 13 days are going to be really challenging 😥

@goodbyestranger, how does that compare to other years?

7 applicants for every place!

www.ox.ac.uk/news/2021-01-12-successful-undergraduate-offers-2021

Count me in on the toast @Tenpastseven.
Name your time...

@goodbyestranger - according to the Oxford website they made 3,900 offers in January 2020. It seems they are offering a bit more cautiously this year. I'd have thought the number of places available is fairly static. I guess places available could be impacted by extra students taken on last year when all offers were honoured and larger than usual numbers deferring from last year.

I think it does mean that those who have been successful this year have done really well given the smaller number of offers made.

www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-08-15-university-statement-2020-admissions

sandybayley got there first! Fewer offers this year, by some way.

Ah sorry @goodbyestranger - I should be working but am distracted. It looks like (as of August) Oxford accepted about 150 more students than it had anticipated having to start in October 2020.