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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Oxbridge 2021: another 6 months of fretting

771 replies

DahliaMacNamara · 01/02/2021 10:55

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

OP posts:
Original poster
DahliaMacNamara · 12/07/2021 15:44

Less than a month to go now. I just saw a post by the DfE saying that teacher-assessed grades are now being checked by the exam boards, and I felt a chill run through me. For no good reason, I should add, but it's there all the same.

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Chilldonaldchill · 12/07/2021 19:42

Just to let people know - we visited at the weekend but there was no point trying to get into the porters' lodge - there were very clear signs everywhere saying they were closed to all visitors.
We still had a nice time though - it's a lovely city - and hopefully next time, on moving in day, we'll get to go inside properly!

Jalfrezi · 12/07/2021 23:16

@Chilldonaldchill Glad you had a nice day looking round Cambridge but a shame you didn't get an opportunity to peek into her college ☹️. It does seem to be very college specific as my DD's college was more than happy to wave us in (outside grounds only though). Nevertheless, you can definitely get a feel for the city just by walking around.
@DahliaMacNamara that's nerve-racking to think results are being looked at now. Results day will be upon us before we know it and although I feel DD should be fine, it will be a relief to get it confirmed on the day.
On another note, DD has now received emails from her college asking her to choose her first term courses (literally days after I asked a similar question on here!) so that has been done and maybe reading lists will follow shortly.

Chilldonaldchill · 13/07/2021 21:47

@Jalfrezi thank you. I think, in hindsight, it would be better if she hadn't emailed ahead to ask but once she had, it felt inappropriate to ask again in person.
Yes - not long till results now. DD has been much more relaxed since the exams. She tends to be very good at assessing her performance (very different from me and her siblings) and she feels she did herself justice.

TheNextSteps · 15/07/2021 13:17

I posted earlier on this thread about my intention to visit Oxford to have a look round. My DS wants to apply for PPE and attends a non-selective state school in Scotland.

We’ve bitten the bullet and booked two nights in a hotel on the outskirts of Oxford (cheap!) We’ll bus into the centre as I hear parking is a no-no. I wondered if anyone could give me a realistic idea of how many colleges we might get to on foot in a day and a half? Any tips on where to have a reasonably priced lunch? I definitely want to pop along to the Ashmolean while I leave DS to have some time alone to wander. I’ve been to Oxford once but it was on a college trip and it was 35 years ago so my memories of it are negligible!

We realise we probably won’t be able to get a proper look because of Covid restrictions and also he’s applying for 2022 so isn’t an offer holder. It must be even more frustrating for those of you who are offer holders like chilldonaldchill but glad you got to have a look around the outside of your chosen college at Cambridge.

Balliol and Brasenose are definitely on the list and Jesus too. I know that applying for a certain college isn’t to be fixated upon as they can pool you to any college but in an ideal world he’d like a college that provides accommodation for all three years. I think DS’s main aim is to get a feel for Oxford as a place and to get a sense of the scale and distance between colleges. He’s been pouring over descriptions and prospectuses online and loads of YouTube videos.

Obviously if we could get a closer look at some that would be good. We’ll have a full day on Mon 19th July which is when many Lockdown restrictions are lifted. Should be a memorable day!

ofteninaspin · 15/07/2021 17:29

@TheNextSteps, my DC found visiting five or six colleges manageable in a day, alongside checking out the locations of departments and second year accommodation.
For Oxford, if it's dry, I recommend sourcing a picnic lunch from M&S or the Covered Market and heading to Christ Church Meadows. Or there are various cafes within the Covered market. The Vaults is in a lovely location and is well placed for a coffee and cake break/lunch after visiting the central colleges. There are many cafe options!
I hope you both have a great day.

JulesJules · 16/07/2021 07:31

@TheNextSteps Are you staying at the Premier Inn in Cowley? That's where we stay when picking up/delivering D1. We leave the car there and get the bus in generally, but have always been able to park in St Clement's carpark. It's expensive, but you don't have to drive through town, just straight up Cowley Rd from the PI and it's just off The Plain and Magdalen Bridge. They do lovely made to order sandwiches at Taylors on the High St. When we picked up D1 a few weeks ago, we got lunch there and ate in Christ Church Meadow. I hope you have a lovely day.

TheNextSteps · 16/07/2021 08:52

Thanks ofteninaspin and JulesJules for those tips about Christ Church meadows. Will definitely do that if the weather is fine. Not staying at Cowley but are near a Park and Drive so will bus in. Looking forward to escaping Scotland for the first time in 2 years!

worrybeadsneeded · 25/07/2021 17:20

Just realised that this might be a better place for traffic for this query as forum quite quiet at present. If your DC has Durham as insurance - what communications has your son or daughter had so far? Have they had any communications to fill in any forms from their allocated college accomodation or been told to submit certificates etc . DC keeps missing emails in spam so trying to get them to get organised as reading old threads, once results are out there seems to be various admin to do in terms of bank accounts, getting discount rail cards , scrabble for remaining accommodation etc. From what friends who are as clueless as me have said it all seems to vary so much from university to university or college to college at eg Oxford in terms of communication. Do they need to scan a D of E certificate for example? Thank you.

Original poster
DahliaMacNamara · 25/07/2021 20:31

Gosh, what a question. DD hasn't mentioned Durham since she heard she'd been allocated her first choice of accommodation. She did mention something that she wanted access to a scanner for, but I don't know what that was, and as far as I know she's been in no rush to do it.

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RunnersTipple · 25/07/2021 21:04

@worrybeadsneeded I asked my DS (who has Durham as insurance) and he said he has been asked to upload similar info to that requested by Cambridge (proof of exam results/music exams etc) by the end of July.

ofteninaspin · 26/07/2021 17:39

In case it is of interest to anyone planning a visit to Oxford, DD's college and others are getting ready to reopen to visitors from early August, including serving refreshments in quads and marquees.

Hoghgyni · 26/07/2021 18:50

  1. Last year it was possible, but unlikely that you would get a place at your original college if you had to go to Durham with an insurance offer.

  2. DD isn't very well organised. I bought a concertina file to put everything obvious in, such as her passport, birth certificate, GCSE certificates etc. I also scanned each item & stored it electronically. She didn't need either. Apparently her college took their word for everything and she claims she never had to prove her qualifications or id.

  3. Bear in mind that Oxford likes them to register with their preferred doctor's surgery. DD was ill over Christmas, but it didn't matter that her GP was in Oxford as she could have phone appointments, prescriptions sent directly to a local pharmacy & emergency treatment at a local walk in centre.

ThisIsMyID · 27/07/2021 12:41

With only a few hours to go.... I don't know if anyone will see in time. Just looking for support/advice before DS had his 2 hour zoom meeting with the DSA office. Not really sure what to expect. He's had his chats with the team, and they've been really helpful. This is the stage before they submit his financial requirements for any help they feel he needs. Any advice?

LaundryFairy · 28/07/2021 07:57

Hi @ThisIsMyID - sorry I didn’t see this in time to respond - I hope your DS’ assessment went ok. If there was anything that he wasn’t sure about or would like to change, it is good to remember that this isn’t a one-off: he can talk to them any time over the period of his studies to discuss changing needs and the support he will need.

Following on from the assessment, it might help to know that in my very limited experience (My DS and the DD of a friend) all of the recommendations made by the assessor we’re approved by the DSA.

LaundryFairy · 04/08/2021 22:41

Hi All- how are everyone’s DCs holding up as we approach the 10th? DS is finding these last days nerve-wracking. He just knows nothing is for certain until then, even though he doesn’t want to think about his insurance choice at all because he is so invested in Oxford now.

FingersCrossedforCake · 05/08/2021 08:04

Yes it is definitely going to e a sleepless night on Monday! DC is quite positive about second choice, in theory.... Good luck everyone!

LaundryFairy · 05/08/2021 10:55

Yes, good luck and many fingers crossed for all the DC waiting!

ThisIsMyID · 05/08/2021 11:17

Good luck to everyone still waiting for results. X

Original poster
DahliaMacNamara · 05/08/2021 19:05

The space between now and Tuesday morning seems somehow both breathtakingly short and very, very long.
I know DD was thrilled with the offer from her insurance at the time; in fact I'm sure having that the bag helped her feel that bit more relaxed about the Oxford interviews.
Now, however, for me the thought that anything could happen is creeping in.

OP posts:
pepperaunt · 05/08/2021 20:50

Just wanted to pop on to wish everyone good luck on Tuesday! Fingers crossed DD and her BFF (who for some reason is sleeping over Monday night) get the same news…

LaundryFairy · 05/08/2021 21:22

@DahliaMacNamara

The space between now and Tuesday morning seems somehow both breathtakingly short and very, very long. I know DD was thrilled with the offer from her insurance at the time; in fact I'm sure having that the bag helped her feel that bit more relaxed about the Oxford interviews. Now, however, for me the thought that anything could happen is creeping in.
Yes to all of this!
Chilldonaldchill · 05/08/2021 23:12

DD says she would be happy with her insurance.
The reality, whatever she says, is that she is expecting to get the grades on Tuesday and she will be shattered if she doesn't.
I still don't think she will sleep on Monday night.
What's the earliest track could update? Do they need to log on to see it or will they get an email?
School have said that they will send emails at 8.30 but that "track will update earlier". I'm not sure what the reality of that looks like though.

goodbyestranger · 05/08/2021 23:26

Chilldonaldchill with the obvious caveat that things this year might be different, Track updated at a smidgeon before 7.30 am for each of my last four DC.

Chilldonaldchill · 06/08/2021 08:41

@goodbyestranger

Chilldonaldchill with the obvious caveat that things this year might be different, Track updated at a smidgeon before 7.30 am for each of my last four DC.
Thank you!