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

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

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

Data from 2016

@ealingwestmum Thank you! Have just taught myself how to hotspot and checked data plan!

No worries Horace! And if you want to proper belt and brace, access to a back up lap/desk top, when the zoom link freezes and the wheel of death appears. But you didn’t send the link ahead to back up laptop, and your phone is switched off to fwd email and is taking time to fire up. Can’t make it up 😱

Thanks for sharing @heinztomatosoup, that is really interesting.

ealing OMG! Right, am firing up the old iPad no one uses and charging the old iPhone I keep for when DF comes to stay. In addition to my work laptop and DH’s work laptop being on standby.

DD is relieved it’s over. The interviewer was kinder and more gentle than she expected. She felt she could have done better, but she didn’t embarrass herself. She felt she did well enough not to be rejected, but perhaps not well enough to edge out the competition.

Good luck to the DC still interviewing. They seem like a weight is lifted when it is over.

DS2’s interviews are done. Don’t think he really knows how they went. Ironically, his second interview was for St Catherine’s college where DS1 is in his first year! He really doesn’t want to be at the same college as his brother but obviously he would take any opportunity and if they can ignore each other in the same house, they can certainly ignore each other at University😉🤣

It’s been so much more stressful with DS2, glad I don’t have to go through it ever again 🤯

Will join all those on the waiting, wondering and hoping bench now😍

Good luck to those with dc’s still to have interviews🤞

Mine is Bath but social policy.

@Eightytwenty

Thanks Heinz. Well done to all who are now through.

Remind me aren’t there quite a few Bath Politics / IR applicants on the thread? DS is thinking of adding it as his #5. Seems an awfully long way from home.

My DD has applied for the Bsc politics/IR with the placement year. I think Tango's DD has an offer from Bath for the same. Right....DD is having a bath (and typically boiler is playing up so I'm feeling ridiculously emotional that I couldn't even provide a hot bath for her tonight ) Tomorrow morning I have 2 lessons then a free in which I will dash home and make sure she's made sure that 2 laptops, tablets and 2 phones are all ready to go. I'll have to leave again about half way though her interview. Which is probably A Good Thing.

@Stockpot @Geamhradh Yes correct DD had an offer last month for Politics and IR with year in industry. She also has offers from Nottingham, Liverpool & Cardiff. If she does not get into C we will be going to an open day for offer holders for Nottingham as we have not been and the campus looks wonderful. I think her heart is set on Bath though as we visited in September on a day freshers were arriving and she loved it, beautiful campus and city. Long way from home though and expensive which worries me.

Good luck and fingers crossed to all that have had and yet to have interviews!
DDs two college interviews at Oxford are ‘done and dusted’ with only a brief nod, if that, to her PS
Applicants for her subject may be called for second interviews next week by other colleges and if so will be informed by Friday,

My DD has also completed both her interviews. She’s applied for deferred place so will not be handed onto any other colleges. First was really tough though she said it would have been enjoyable - the second for her ab initio language was more straightforward. Impossible to tell but she gave it her best shot whatever the outcome.

@Eightytwenty

Good luck *@Geamhradh*, and thanks for advising! Shouldn’t complain about the distance with you of course.

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango remind me which part of the country you’re in?

@Piggywaspushed thanks!

I am in Shropshire. Bath around 3 hours drive but the godawful M6 adds to that and Nottingham 1.5 hours. Not so bad compared to many I expect.

I grew up in Glasgow and went to York. I was not close to my family though and as it goes, DM moved without telling me to New York when I was in second year. My whole mantra in final year of school was choosing unis as far away from home as possible. However, when invited to an interview at Bristol , I quickly baulked at the idea. The journey seemed suddenly very long and complex (don't get me started on Oxford! I had to fly and then get a bus from LHR to Oxford!). I sort of think this about DS and Bath too and we are only in Bedfordshire! Anywhere that adds on a necessitated 'via London' route adds to... complications and price.

@Eightytwenty You click "quote" at the top right bar (I think this is what you're asking?!)

DS seems to have picked what he considers the 'best' universities without thinking of how he's actually going to get to any of them and the cost. As I think I've said before, in some ways a bit of distance is a good thing especially for Londoners as it can be too tempting to nip back for parties etc if you're within an hour.

Anyway DS has gone to school for the morning and is coming back at lunchtime to eat a bacon sarnie and do his interview. He seems genuinely laid back about the whole thing though I'm sure nerves will kick in. DH is coming home from the office to be IT manager and the dog and I are getting the hell out. I couldn't' bear to be here.

Dd is up showered and surprisingly calm. Me? I've been for a run, scrubbed the house and am now going for a walk into town 😭

My view is that it's time for the DCs to spread their wings. I'd support overseas study as well. It won't always be easy, but they can manage it.