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Original poster

Oxbridge aspirants part 4......Hold onto your nerves interviews ahead....!

940 replies

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 12:17

Part 4 - A friendly supportive thread for those with DC applying to Oxbridge, its an arduous process to say the least. I suspect we will need some handholding and alcohol for the couple of weeks ahead as our dc have their interviews. For those still waiting to hear I hope news comes soon Flowers

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
TerrifiedandWorried · 07/12/2021 18:42

DD had interview one and two today plus language test. They were late for the first one! She thinks it went well. She was asked how she would respond if she were offered a place for straight law at both interviews. She said that was the hardest question!

JulesJules · 07/12/2021 19:36

@TerrifiedandWorried

DD had her interviews today plus language test thingy. She reckons it went really well, the only question she found hard was when she was asked if she would accept an offer for just law if offered. She was asked this at both interviews.
I was going to put this as a tip. D1 (History joint, Oxford now in 2nd year) was asked this in her interviews. In the first one for History, she thought it was a trick question to see if she was really passionate about her course so she said no. In the second interview for her other subject, the way they asked the question made her realise that it wasn't a trick question at all. There are fewer places for the joint degrees, so if you don't get the offer for the joint degree but score higher on one of your subjects than someone interviewing for single honours, they want to know if you would accept that offer. So she was a bit OMG at having said no in the first interview. Fortunately it didn't matter as she was offered the place. Someone she met at interview also going for the joint hons course didn't get it and was offered a place on the single hons course.
Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 07/12/2021 19:41

Just catching up on all our your posts. Sorry to hear of the poorly dc I think approaching the end of term with these interviews and exam pressure is tough on them DD was in tears today with it all.

Reading with interest how the interviews are going, sounds like a mixed bag but then many get in when they thought they have done badly so all is not lost until they know for sure in Jan. DD on Thursday so trying to play it down at the minute to keep her calm. Good luck to those with interviews to come Wine

OP posts:
Stockpot · 07/12/2021 19:54

That sounds really tough LittleLebowski. So hard to feel you were unlucky with the question with no chance to show yourself.

Geamhradh · 07/12/2021 19:59

Also on Thursday here @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango
What time are you breathing into a paper bag in the background? Grin
DD is at 10 or 11. Can't remember. One of the two.

carben · 07/12/2021 20:05

My daughter has 4 interviews! 1 Monday (New), 2 Tuesday (also New) and 1 Wednesday (Lincoln) - all maths. Seems a bit much.

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 07/12/2021 20:13

@Geamhradh

Also on Thursday here *@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango* What time are you breathing into a paper bag in the background? Grin DD is at 10 or 11. Can't remember. One of the two.
Grin

First one at 2pm with some reading material emailed 20 minutes prior and the second at 15.45 with no prior material so hoping they will talk about her PS or focus on Politics which I would imagine they will as one is the director of studies for the subject. Quite frankly I am shitting myself on her behalf. I was going to vacate the house but now i am going to sit upstairs and be on hand for technical support and hugs if she cries more than likely

OP posts:
TerrifiedandWorried · 07/12/2021 20:26

Oh yeah, DD was emailed at 9.30 last night to say she would receive reading one hour before. No mention of it previously.

Xanum · 07/12/2021 23:18

@carben. DS has four interviews too. Two on Monday (New). And two on Tuesday (New & Corpus). Seems a little harsh. But he’s excited!

SandyBayley · 08/12/2021 06:44

DD also has multiple interviews for medicine. The way she's looking at it is that it gives her multiple chances to show what she can do.

A single interview at a single college would be higher stakes. At least if she has a duff interview she has a chance to prove herself in the others.

So I don't think it's harsh at all.

Panicmode1 · 08/12/2021 06:59

I also think two is better - spread the chances a bit more. DS has his two today. DH and I will both be at work, so won't get to eavesdrop or be in the way!

Letsgoforaskip · 08/12/2021 07:07

Good luck to everyone!
My DS had 2 on Monday and has 2 more tomorrow. He also sees it as giving him more chances (hopefully!).

heinztomatosoup · 08/12/2021 08:14

Our turn today also; 2 interviews plus pre-interview exercise. The culmination of all that work, reading and effort coming down to 1.5 hours! I know the interview is not the only measure but it's a lot! At least it will be over at 1.30pm exactly and then we have to somehow put it to the back of our minds for 6 weeks, won't be easy!

Good luck to all other DCs with their interviews!

Stockpot · 08/12/2021 08:27

DD has only one, with no written work requested and no written exam.

Easier, but the selection is more likely to be mercurial. This might go her way, or not!

Xanum · 08/12/2021 08:48

@Stockpot Wow. Sounds like your DD’s accepted already! What’s her subject?

Panicmode1 · 08/12/2021 08:52

Sounds like a flurry of interviews today. Good luck to them all.

(Am at work feeling sick and nervous on his behalf!).

Xanum · 08/12/2021 08:57

Thanks @SandyBayley. A little harsh to me but to DS an opportunity to discuss all that he likes about his subject to first class minds!

Chilldonaldchill · 08/12/2021 09:26

@LittleLebowski sorry to hear your DD thought it went badly. DD also felt one of hers was particularly awful - she said the questions were hard and they weren't at all interested in helping her process it when she got a bit stuck - she was devastated.
She still got her offer in the end (albeit from a different college which of course she now much prefers 😉 ) so I hope your DD can take some hope from that X
Good luck to everyone else this week.

Stockpot · 08/12/2021 09:54

@Xanum, no, no. Not accepted. Just that in her particular case, they will decide with very little info. I think a second interview is better. More work, but a more balanced view.

Valleyofthedollymix · 08/12/2021 10:05

@Stockpot same for my DS - I thought he was the only one. It seems utterly random and the lowest investment Oxbridge application ever. It's not even a very long interview.

Feels crazy high stakes especially on Zoom.

Xanum · 08/12/2021 10:16

@Stockpot good luck to your DD.

My head is spinning with all the different ways O decides.

Meanwhile DS is raiding the fridge for chocolate and taking a nap.

woulducouldushouldu · 08/12/2021 11:15

[quote Valleyofthedollymix]@Stockpot same for my DS - I thought he was the only one. It seems utterly random and the lowest investment Oxbridge application ever. It's not even a very long interview.

Feels crazy high stakes especially on Zoom.[/quote]
Same for us. 1 faculty and 1 college interview. Course has one of the lowest applications - They hardly get into double figures for applications. Still going to be incredibly hard to get an offer as you really need to shine as the number of places is v v small

Xanum · 08/12/2021 11:15

Lol. Scrap that. Just taken a cup of tea to DS. Asked him what plans he has today. Driving lesson & lunch with friends. Are you stressed? He said he’s never not stressed. Oh dear.

ealingwestmum · 08/12/2021 11:48

A quick question, and apologies if it’s been answered, or naive - I haven’t had any insight to email instructions/T&Cs other than no divulging of interview context.

Do Oxbridge record their interviews, giving them opportunity to compare and contrast amongst themselves? I’m assuming not, but given that tech gives them this option vs f2f…

My DH asked, having had no input into any of DD’s process, and was surprised I didn’t know Hmm

NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 08/12/2021 12:16

I would have thought that Oxbridge would have to get candidates to consent to them recording the virtual interviews. Otherwise it would constitute a form of GDPR breach, wouldn't it?