Cambridge and Oxford - ongoing chat for those with a student currently studying there

[DadDadDad]

Some of us have found these threads helpful, so I'm starting a new one to take us through

...end-of-year exams (and parties)

...homecoming for the vacation (and hibernation aestivation for this thread?)

...return in the autumn (and more normal college life?)

Posters old and new welcome to join the discussion. Any tips for finding a summer job?

Oh, and for reference, I have a DS just completing his first year in a small humanity in a tiny college.

@OhYouBadBadKitten safe travels for the emergency clothes drop. I did the same thing at the start of the month. Well done to your DD for the summer work.

Mine is on a mini-break this weekend in a neighbouring county although the weather is quite rubbish. She has a summer internship which seems remarkably well-paid and which will accommodate some commitments she has already agreed. The company she applied to in March has come back to her to ask if she wants to interview again for another position. The last one was not in her field of expertise but her feedback was excellent. Now she's not sure what to do as she thinks she will get the PhD funding. I told her to take the interview as it's always good practice. It's only if they make her an offer that she has to choose between job & PhD. We will chat about it tomorrow no doubt.

DS1 (C) apparently submitted his online exam at 5.30am this morning, having 'pulled an all-nighter' in the college library! He only had one exam to do, across a 12 hour period, (plus some essays to submit for assessment at an earlier stage) so was actually early submitting but his sleep-wake cycle seem to be diametrically opposite to mine and his brother's! He's very happy to be finished now and has a social event on with some second year friends tonight (still got few first year friends).

DS2 (O) is still revising for his last exam which is next Wednesday but has also had and has more social events lined up in the evenings. So I'm happy they're both keeping exams in perspective and not letting them take over the whole of their lives.

I can't believe how soon I'll be collecting them. This term has gone by very quickly, as has their whole first year.

Does anyone know how/when they get their prelim results at O? Do they come out on a particular day or do they get an email out if the blue?

They're generally given a day, then they log in to the portal.

Takes a few weeks after sitting them though.

Hello all and particularly the 3rd year mums,
DD will be back in C next year and many of your DC sound like they will still be there too.

Waves to Lobster, ofteninaspin and OYBBK!-

Her room ballot is late. She has friends living in town next year, so that is always an option if her desired room doesn't come off. She has been a bit unlucky with rooms.

Gosh, all these EOY exams and Finals sound gruelling! Will need hand holding next year!!! 😊

All enjoy your fabulous and talented kids this summer!

Sorry Malbefcan,
Just noticed you have a 3rd year DC too. Perhaps, a name change I didn't notice. Good luck in all your DC does beyond C. Xx

@Hoghgyni DS thinks his results will be available mid July. Good luck for exams next week!

Well, Huashan, we know they've worked hard.

No probs @Sunndowne and she's a 4th year just about to graduate.

UPDATE: DD says the finance is sorted so she will be staying on for a PhD. She applied to her current college as it is handy for W Cambridge and they accepted her, but she has chosen to live in a private rented house with friends for the 1st year. She is updating the company who offered her an interview; she has done work experience with them and they have asked to be kept in the loop.

If you've done your first degree at Oxbridge, do you have to get a First Class degree to be allowed to go on to do a Masters - at either Oxford or Cambridge - or is a high 2:1 ever considered? What are the stats. like for applicants to places at that stage?

I was just thinking that having had such a disrupted first year and missing the whole of the second term - stuck at home - with no guarantees that it'll be that much better next academic year, my DCs might want to consider staying on longer at university. Of course neither might do well enough but am I right in thinking that unless you get a First, you've got little chance of being accepted for a Masters?

Good news Malbec.

@mutterphore DD's course was an integrated masters, ie she applied originally for a 4 year course. She had to get at least a 2:1 in year 3 to be able to continue to year 4. She is a NatSci student in a large department, but she really wanted to take Materials Science in year 3 and there were only 40 places available, so in her 2nd year exams, it was vital to her that she was in that top 40. I suppose that if 47 people had all achieved Firsts, they would have gone to exam percentages. One of her friends needed 65% in a completely different subject area so it must depend on the department. In year 3, because of Covid, she was told that she would not be marked any lower than her 2nd year exams, which for her was amazing and meant that she didn't have to worry about going into year 4.

Pre-Covid, any student gaining a First in Part 1s or 2s was required to say the Latin grace at a Formal in the next academic year. DD was really worried about this but Covid put paid to that. If she is staying on, I might remind her that she still has to do it. It was lovely in her 2nd year to get a hand-written postcard from the Master of the college congratulating her on her results over the summer holiday.

@mutterphore DD didn’t apply for an integrated Masters. Like @Malbecfan DD she wanted to do Materials Science and applied for the Masters in May last year when her planned job was cancelled due to COVID. She had no problem being accepted with a 2:1 at that point. Not sure if this year was typical but hope that helps.

@Malbecfan. DD never had to worry about the Latin grace but her boyfriend who was a couple of years ahead had to do it more than once at his college. She has been known to ask him to do it when they are having dinner. She thinks it’s hilarious- he hated it!

I think there should be more transparency about requirements for progression from part IB to part II and from part II to part III for the different science subjects. DS is leaning towards Physics but has heard from students in the year above that numbers are restricted further on in the course.

And what happens to those who get good marks at the end of 2nd year but don't quite make the cut for their preferred subject? Do they get redirected to a different department for 3rd year?

DD also needs minimum 2.1 in third year exams to proceed to year 4 of integrated MBiol.

dd needs a first for automatic progression in maths. A 2.1 requires them to apply with a letter why they want to do it and support from their DOS. They have to be expected to get a merit in the masters.

@Malbecfan and @chitchattery. Congratulations on your daughters' achievements. You must be so proud.

DD did two days of parties/clubs/bar/spraying/swimming and then pronounced herself bored and wanting to get back to studying.

She's worked hard and played hard this year, so no plans for any summer work or internships and she has a few holidays planned.

She says the exams went OK, probably a 2:1. I'm really impressed with how well she has managed the work-life balance. She also has a really great room in hall for next year, made lots of nice friends, nice DoS, beautiful college and grounds. As parents, we couldn't be happier. I still find the whole thing amazing!

Well done to those whose DC have had such great results!

DS starts a week of exams tomorrow- 1 a day at 9:30. He is feeling quite nervous as he hasn't done any proper exams since GCSEs!

Good luck to the offspring of @HuaShan and @Pepermintea and any others who are about to start exams.

DS has his last exam tomorrow (in the subject he is hoping to specialise in).

@mutterphore, DD1 went on to do an MPhil and a D Phil at O having got a 2.1 in her BA.

She changed college to a graduate one but could have continued at her original college.

Good luck to DS’s of @HuaShan and @Pepermintea about to start exams.

DD (O) says some exams are so late this year that they extend beyond the normal term time catering arrangements at her college.

Good luck to @HuaShan and @Pepermintea lads :)

Hi @Sunndowne

That's brilliant @Malbecfan !