Oxbridge Aspirants 2022 part 3....Will they or won't they make it to interview? Our Mum nerves are in tatters!

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

New thread for us, lots of lovely support whilst we wait. Some of our lovely DC now have interview dates whilst the rest of us hold our breath and try not to hassle our teens into checking their SPAM folders at least several times per day .

Ds had an email from Leeds saying no decisions until March, or after March. I have a feeling someone has already posted that but thought I would add it in!

Ds is pretty much decided that he will ignore Manchester- if he gets an offer from C then Birmingham will be insurance, if not then Birmingham first choice Bristol insurance. I feel a bit disappointed because I thought Manchester was so great but ds was really taken aback by an offer of 3 A*. Once we know about C I can have more conversations about the courses. But I do have to remember it's his life not mine...

@PermanentTemporary Gosh thats a high grade offer from Manchester, is that their standard offer? I don't blame him for ignoring it though it puts a lot of pressure on him to get top marks. We are waiting on Bath which was DD second choice but now she has an ABB offer from Nottingham she is keen to go and have a tour and it does look fantastic on the Youtube tour, not doing anything though until C is definitely ruled out. I secretly hope she will put Nottingham above Bath as its so much closer to home and cheaper, its hard not to put your opinion across! I also have a DS who will be applying to Uni next year so will have to do this all again

PT, was it Maths your DS is doing? Such a variation of grades required by course types. I do feel for you, many students at DD’s school have switched between Maths to Physics type courses because they didn’t get the predicted grades required across their full A level range.

DD got her first offer from Leeds last night: A, B and M2 (pre u).

Like you, OP, mine also has an ABB offer, but from York. Knows the city and uni well, as sibling went there, would be very happy with it - probably happier than any of the other choices.

Not sure how to play it if Oxford doesn't come off. All the other unis will offer higher for sure - so will maybe just keep York as single first choice, as you can't ditch your first and go with the banker at the results stage (at least, you couldn't six years ago, been in that situation before, it was risky and you had to go through clearing, banker just falls away if you get the results for the first choice). But maybe things have changed now due to overcrowding?

Thanks @ealingwestmum @SandyBayley and @Piggywaspushed. She is doing Maths, Politics and English. So far she also has an offer from Bristol and Leeds. Interview on the 1st 🤞

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango Nottingham is a beautiful campus university. Incredibly gorgeous when compared to the London unis. I really liked it. I believe there is also some accomodation for visiting parents.

Btw, I am Mare of Beasttown. Changed my name:)

My DS has a Nottingham offer. Very positive choice for him for several reasons. He loved it when we visited.

Great to hear about invitations to interview coming through. Well done and good luck to those DC!

@PermanentTemporary one of DS's friends also had a 3 A* offer from Manchester for CS. He's doing four A levels (naturally) so that gives him a teeny bit of leeway but it's nuts that Cambridge's offer would likely be lower. Were he to get one.

Ha, the PP is so right that people are far less likely to post bad news. I think if DS doesn't get an interview I'd possibly just refrain from this thread altogether as it would no longer be relevant. I remember a scary elevenplusforum site on a board for crazily selective schools (like one in 10 get through) and yet every single poster seemed to have a child who'd scored in the very highest percent. Apart from mine!

That said many congratulations to those who've already heard. Phew what a relief. And also a door to more anxiety...

Totally agree. I think if ds doesn’t get interview I will be feeling rather disappointed and highly unlikely to be in the mood to read about what will seem like every other parents dc getting one

DC's Plan B is to study abroad. Which would be exciting! Certainly less straightforward than staying in the UK though.

Do they have a preference country @Papierfroisse or just keeping all options open?

DD in similar position, non committal, just applied to one non UK so far. And agree on the potential complexity.

It’s been confirmed on TSR that the Engaa results have been received! FC and good luck to all the engineering applicants 🙏

For othe subjects and those waiting to hear…this it’s what has been received :
“We have now received ECAA, ENGAA, NSAA and TMUA results. We have not received BMAT or ELAT results, although it's normal for these to come a few days later.”

DC would consider studying in Germany, but is taking a gap year, which means another possible chance at Oxbridge. No firm plans at this stage - is just applying to Oxbridge this time round, so very easy-going compared with everyone else.

@Papierfroisse interesting ! Germany was my proposed plan B to ! Anywhere in particular ? Berlin looks good

Berlin is very popular - for good reason. So harder to get into! Why is your DC interested in Germany?!

Yes ds has applied for CompSci with 4 a-levels. Manc seem to be saying 'put us first or don't bother' which is fair enough in a way but his Bristol offer is contextual and definitely takes the pressure off.

I hope I'll stick around even if ds doesn't get any further. I like it on here

Ah yes, I picked the wrong course. Good to see Bristol taking the pressure off.

I hope people will update whatever happens. I do want to hear about what happens to all the DC and wherever they go.

DD is unlikely to hear from Oxford (Medicine) until the end of the month. But given all her choices will interview (if she gets an invite) she's doing an interview course on Saturday. She's quite excited! Luckily she is involved in a school musical all of next week so is quite focussed on that.

Well, let me be the first. My DD has been rejected. Nice email and we move on.
Good luck to everyone on this thread (and to your DCs)!

@Startoftheyear2021

Well, let me be the first. My DD has been rejected. Nice email and we move on. Good luck to everyone on this thread (and to your DCs)!

Do I remember that your dc predicted grades were below standard offer?

Sorry to hear that @Startoftheyear2021 - give him a big hug from the strangers on the internet.

Ah, thanks. She's at boarding school but I'm doing it virtually! Yes, she's doing IB and while she has a high total score, one individual prediction was slightly lower than needed.

I’m sorry to hear that Startoftheyear2021