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Higher education

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

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

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ealingwestmum · 30/11/2021 16:59

Heck yeah cake is required Sandy!

Puffalicious · 30/11/2021 17:22

I know what you mean OP, DS loves his subject but I wonder if the 8 week crazy terms to the exclusion of all else is his thing. I do wonder whether he'd prefer longer terms, a part-time job and time for gigs/ clubbing? But no point in worrying right now.

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 17:30

@SandyBayley

Welcome *@LittleLebowski* - lovely to have you here.

At some point once we ought to have a re-group and remind ourselves which DC is applying for what and where.

Just been out to buy DD a celebratory cake. DH says we shouldn't celebrate an interview but what does he know 😉

I agree! I lose track with everybody.... I'll go first

DD applied to Cambridge and has an interview for HSPS at Clare.

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Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 17:32

@SandyBayley I wasn't going to tell anybody at work about DD but I thought fuck it, to get to interview is something I'm so proud of and that in itself is something to celebrate!

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Storminamu · 30/11/2021 17:39

I have some concerns about the short terms and level of work, too. I have a Dsis who is pretty obsessed with Oxford - the whole family has gone there - and is now invested in my DC getting in, but I feel a lot less bothered. Having said that, Oxbridge students did well in Lockdown, compared with others, and it's a relatively cheap university to go to (though I doubt that will last), particularly if you're on a low family income.
My DC1 is involved in a college activity, which means she spends quite a lot of extra time at the college during vacations, which I think is a big advantage.

Letsgoforaskip · 30/11/2021 17:45

@Innocenta what a lovely well worded post! ⭐️

ACloseMatch · 30/11/2021 17:45

DD is back in school today post Covid but still with a racking cough. She's getting some support in school for interview prep (HSPS) and is buoyed by that.

I'm not convinced it's the best place for her, but will hold that in. She's very keen, and the course looks wonderful, but I fear is just too intense for her (she's quite disorganised and won't admit when she needs support). Fingers crossed though. Hers is on Monday.

Horace123 · 30/11/2021 17:52

Wonder if anyone can help - I've been through the extensive stuff sent through ahead of the interviews (including details of a pre-interview "Welcome to College X - Meet the students" event tomorrow which seems quite friendly). The email explains that some candidates may be called for additional interviews because their applications "may be under consideration by a number of colleges, any of whom may decide to invite you for an additional interview. This procedure is intended to ensure that your application receives the fullest consideration possible."

Does that mean:

  1. It's a really bad sign if you don't get additional interviews (because your application isn't good enough to arouse interest at other places).
  2. It's a really bad sign if you do get additional interviews (because other colleges assume "your" college will probably not end up making an offer).
  3. Too hard to tell / too many variables / don't overthink things.
BilberryBaggins · 30/11/2021 17:55
  1. Too hard to tell.

The only thing that is worth deducing is that if you get another interview, it means you are seen as 'at or more or less at the right level' - ie they've not chucked your application in the bin.

Which is a nice thing to bear in mind. But plenty of 2nd interviews will end up with offers from original college, and lots of people who don't get 2nd interviews will both get offers, and not get offers.

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 18:02

@ACloseMatch

DD is back in school today post Covid but still with a racking cough. She's getting some support in school for interview prep (HSPS) and is buoyed by that.

I'm not convinced it's the best place for her, but will hold that in. She's very keen, and the course looks wonderful, but I fear is just too intense for her (she's quite disorganised and won't admit when she needs support). Fingers crossed though. Hers is on Monday.

Dd HSPS too but no date as of yet. Good luck to your DD for Monday. May I ask how many interviews she has & have the college (which college has she applied to?) given her any idea of structure of interview? Eg they will be given a passage to read etc. I've no idea what to expect.

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goodbyestranger · 30/11/2021 18:24

Well done to your DD Sandy. What did I say?! Also, the college you've strongly implied (or perhaps said - can't remember) she's applied to will love her profile, so every reason to be optimistic. I would be. I was with my own DS for the same subject. But best wishes to her on the day. My advice - not that it's needed but anyway : practice interpreting lots of horrible disease related graphs. DS had graph upon graph upon graph at his four interviews.

goodbyestranger · 30/11/2021 18:28

Horace subjects differ but for Classics I know one college which is very highly regarded for the subject where the top ranked candidate was sent to two other colleges besides the one applied to (but got an offer from the original college, obviously) and in a subsequent cycle the top ranked candidate was interviewed only at that college - no other interviews at all.

So basically, you definitely can't guess what the heck is going on, so don't try!

DahliaMacNamara · 30/11/2021 18:29

@Horace123 All I know is that whichever of the possible permutations applies to your DC, you will spend at least some of the time thinking that additional interviews/no additional interview would have been a more positive sign. As will your DC, in all likelihood. Definitely don't overthink whichever one it is.

LittleLebowski · 30/11/2021 18:33

Thanks all for the welcome and innocenta for the offer. My DD is English & MFL, Queens. The interview structure for those subjects is unseen extract discussion then a general chat based on the work submitted and the personal statement I'm assuming. She's had hardly any help from her school so we've been relying on TSR and Mumsnet for advice! I haven't told anyone outside our for walls (school excepted) @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I just didn't want any extra pressure or opinions. DD relayed that on being told by another teacher she had an interview for her course, one member of staff said "you could be a teacher with those subjects" in a snarky wayHmm. She really doesn't need anyone else's baggage for now.

Horace123 · 30/11/2021 18:35

Thanks everyone for comments. Think I'll try and step away from the interview email now ...

Whatstheweatherlike · 30/11/2021 18:36

Just checking in on the new thread 👋 DS is steadily preparing for his interviews which are on Monday and Tuesday next week. I hadn't realised they wouldn't find out until January - I'd been thinking it would all be finished by Christmas. So, if they are invited for an interview at a second college that doesn't necessarily mean the first has rejected them?

I'm so glad I've found these threads. We haven't talked to anyone about it irl so it's great to chat to people going through it on here.

Puffalicious · 30/11/2021 18:51

DS hasn't been selected for interview. I'm pretty puzzled why- straight As at National 5 and Highers (all 90% +), school dux (best in year), Maths Chemistry and Geography prizes, predicted A in Advanced Higher Maths. His PS was excellent and references top notch. Comes from a comp in a mixed area much of which is deprived. I can only think he didn't do as well as expected in the MAT. He did say it was A level course heavy- some of which he hadn't done yet in Adv Higher, so not sure if that's buggered him.

I'm more disappointed than him. He's pretty laid back and chuffed that he's had another unconditional offer in today for Glasgow. That joins Edinburgh and Strathclyde, so he's pretty happy.

I wasn't convinced it was for him, and it's definitely a case of 'Whit's fir ye ill no go by ye'.

Good luck all in all the DC's future endeavours.

SirVixofVixHall · 30/11/2021 18:52

Dd has an interview!
Slight concern, it isn’t for the college she applied for, and it says “second interview “ but she hasn’t had a first one, so what does that mean ?

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 30/11/2021 18:56

DD has an interview for History at Oxford. I am so excited for her, and keeping everything crossed.

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 19:01

@LittleLebowski That's a real shame she had that reaction from school, have to say DD sixth college have been faultless. Their principle studied history at C and they have an Oxbridge group - may make sweet FA difference in the end but at least they gave support.

I have a big mouth anyway so trying to keep quiet at work was too much to take Grin

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Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 19:04

@Puffalicious Sorry to hear. Sounds like their loss glad to hear he isn't sad it will be many of us here in January too and they will do well wherever they go. Thanks

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Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 19:05

@SirVixofVixHall

Dd has an interview! Slight concern, it isn’t for the college she applied for, and it says “second interview “ but she hasn’t had a first one, so what does that mean ?
No idea but congratulations to your Dd!
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Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 30/11/2021 19:06

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine

DD has an interview for History at Oxford. I am so excited for her, and keeping everything crossed.
💃💃💃💃💃💃
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ACloseMatch · 30/11/2021 19:12

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango

I'd rather not say which college - it's small I think, and she'd kill me very badly if I said too much. Blush

Two interviews, each with two tutors. Each with a passage to read 45 minutes in advance. All evidence to be destroyed immediately after the interview!

Puffalicious · 30/11/2021 19:14

Thanks OP, I definitely do think it's their loss- he's such a great kid and truly remarkable at Maths. Thanks, also, for the flowers, as it's me who's sad tonightSad