Oxbridge 2021: another 6 months of fretting

[DahliaMacNamara]

Will they make the grades? How will grades be awarded anyway? What the hell are Cambridge up to with that nasty little clause?

Thank you Niam!

“Yes, I think both social media and the ability of students to do their own research on colleges and courses rather than wishing they had someone 'in the know' to guide them has demystified the process and allowed good candidates from less privileged backgrounds see Oxbridge as something far less esoteric.”

Yes, this.
The public school culture at my college was a toxic one - so great if that is changing.

Quick question.

Anyone else still waiting on Durham?

Thankfully it's not a stress point here as he's already decided he has a preferred back up regardless of any offer, but it's just a long time coming.

Maths btw.

Still waiting for Durham, Edinburgh & St Andrews.

Yes still waiting for Durham here and St Andrew's too. Taking bets in our house as to how much longer they will take 😆. My money is on end of March! You're right in that there is no stress but also feel DD can't move on and make decisions on firm and insurance until all offers are in (unless she withdraws her application to them). The wait is mildly annoying but I remind myself that others are on tenderhooks as it's their first choice so we can't complain.

Still waiting for Durham here (history).
It feels a bit silly as I'm pretty certain she won't use them as insurance even if they make a lower offer - which I think there is zero chance of their doing. I think she'll firm Bristol.
I still think she should withdraw because I think Durham are in an invidious position as the numbers they can normally rely on being offered O/C won't have materialised this year but on paper they won't have a clue which students have/haven't been offered and therefore no idea which students would firm them. I'm sure normally they have an algorithm that this year will just not work.
But dd feels it's rude and weird to withdraw - I think it might genuinely mean someone else gets an offer who wouldn't otherwise but she doesn't think this would be the case.

Have to say that DD is way more chilled and accepting of the waiting than I am. I need to take a leaf out of her book.

Anyone else’s DC in the position of having her top 2 insurance choices higher than or the same as her O/C offer? C 2A2A, Imperial 3A (specifying 2/3), Durham 2A (specifying which) A? She’ll probably firm Edinburgh with AAA but I find it annoying that she feels her choice has essentially been removed

That's not a wholly rational annoyance though pepperaunt. My own DC have all been in that position - that's what comes of going for five high tariff unis.

pepper, for us it's more as you would expect. C 2A* inc. FM, 2A, Manch. 2A+2A, UCL same, Durham 1A+ 2A, York 4As.

(I think this is logical for science. appreciate for something like law Durham might be the highest).

So our problem is that there isn't much clear blue water between Camb and Manch.

By the way, has anyone else got York's amazing marketing messages?

Not only did they send all the science offerees personal letters by post providing feedback on the interview saying why they wanted that person, but they have sent a follow up (also by post) headed "The Choice is York" reminding everyone to accept their offer.

DH is running back to his Uni saying "why the heck don't we do this?" It's v. impressive.

..... in fact we were a little saddened to find it wasn't just DS1 that got the personalised letter :) ..... it really made him feel exceptional and wanted.

@goodbyestranger who said parents were rational😁? Especially those from elsewhere who are totally unfamiliar with the UK system...

@Myneighboursdomyheadin - the enthusiastic York marketing had the opposite impact on DS1. His take on it was that they were a bit desperate to put bums on seats. But he is known for his cynicism. Manchester were also very enthusiastic in their marketing.

I'm now aggrieved we've got nothing from Manchester :)

"@Myneighboursdomyheadin - the enthusiastic York marketing had the opposite impact on DS1. His take on it was that they were a bit desperate to put bums on seats. But he is known for his cynicism. Manchester were also very enthusiastic in their marketing."

this does tie in though with DH's current responsibilities for recruiting undergrads in his discipline. I told him he needed to make it sound more like they'd been lucky to get in rather than have a standard "oh it's so friendly and welcoming" spiel..... I thought a "this is what we expect of you - we take you seriously" -type messaging would work best - a bit like the traditional ABRSM exam system for music. what do you and your ds think?

Sheffield have also been enthusiastic in their letters/emails.

we felt our York one was high quality - it really felt like notes taken directly from the interview.

Appreciate quality may vary....

DS1 applied last year @Myneighboursdomyheadin and is currently in Oxford feeling a bit sad and lonely. I will check out his views on marketing strategies next time I see him. Unfortunately current university advice is stating he has to stay out for the Easter holidays ☹️

golly :(

I remember feeling loneliness at Durham. It's a horrible feeling - very distinct - like you've fallen into a Charlotte Bronte novel and can't climb out.

@pepperaunt I have to say I am somewhat with @goodbyestranger here . Ds applied for high tariff universities ( turned down from LSE ) but 3 AAA from Oxford ( History ) was realistically as low as he would get from anywhere ( he had applied to ) , so it was all a bit shit or bust at that point. UCL wanted more stars after the As than Oxford - but then I think somewhat more to do with the entry process. Had he ended up with Bs then that would have been a complete rethink.

But it was history & pre test & 2 interviews. Some of his more scientific friends - Cambridge - had more onerous offers so if your DD is more science or Cambridge then I have probably not helped. But best wishes all the same

Dd hasn't got an insurance; she has AAA offer from Oxford, and I think AAA from Manchester, and still waiting on Durham, and that was all she applied for. Durham if they ever reply would be likely to be higher, so I think she would have a bit of a rethink all round if she doesn't get AAA and look at clearing. Durham was def her 2nd choice!

Re: things for the college room - it's worth checking the individual college handbook (online link on the college's page) for rules around electricals as it varies. College parents are also a good source of info nearer the time. D1 is allowed battery operated but not mains fairy lights. Kettle allowed, but must be on a tray. She would have been allowed a mini fridge, but the one we have was too big to get in the car with everything else - you can get really small ones though. We bought her a few things for her birthday before she started - retro style kettle, tea caddy and nice tray for example, zip up travel jewellery case. I made a string of knitted hearts which she's pinned to her noticeboard and sent her a mini coffee maker mid term which she loves - it's the tiniest Lavazza one (from John Lewis) and takes eco biodegradable capsules. She left it in Oxford in December and is rather missing it. The other thing she loved was £100 Blackwell's gift card. Free delivery so even when she was isolating she could order a book and have delivered straight to college. She hasn't needed to use it much for academic books as the Bod and college libraries have everything, and her dept allows them to charge books to them too, so it's mainly for treats.

Thanks, JulesJules, that's really useful - found the right handbook now!

Thank you very much @JulesJules - I’ve now located DS’ college handbook. Lots of useful info there,