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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

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goodbyestranger · 13/12/2021 13:31

Valleyofthedollymix perhaps I did take Juja at her word, but only because she wrote the words :). Actually Juja says she's had lots of DC applying previously too. But I disagree with your comment about perspective: my approach to my DCs' applications has been absolutely constant, even when DC1 was chancing it. I doubt that my approach can have been that awry, given the overall success rate. My DC certainly seem to think that I've helped by being very relaxed on the educational front.

goodbyestranger · 13/12/2021 13:32

But each to their own, as Juja says. Totally agree with that, was only suggesting a different approach has worked for us.

Piggyinblankets · 13/12/2021 13:35

@goodbyestranger

Valleyofthedollymix perhaps I did take Juja at her word, but only because she wrote the words :). Actually Juja says she's had lots of DC applying previously too. But I disagree with your comment about perspective: my approach to my DCs' applications has been absolutely constant, even when DC1 was chancing it. I doubt that my approach can have been that awry, given the overall success rate. My DC certainly seem to think that I've helped by being very relaxed on the educational front.
With all the very greatest due respect, I don't think your family is particularly representative! Yours must really be rather unique...

I am sure I read somewhere once that parenting in large families is more relaxed.

Have you seen Captain Fantastic? I am sure it is way off beam , but I always imagine Family Stranger being a bit like them!

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 13/12/2021 13:37

@Piggywaspushed Here

www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics

If you play around with it you can see how many admitted via pool, last year only 18. I know somebody has to get in but the odds are so very low.

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Piggyinblankets · 13/12/2021 13:51

Thanks - I don't really get it ... the bar chart says 'acceptance by offering college'. Wat does that mean??

I think when I looked at this way back when I didn't look at pool

Piggyinblankets · 13/12/2021 13:52

Got it now - put in summer pool instead of winter pool!

goodbyestranger · 13/12/2021 14:09

I don't know the answer CurlyhairedAssassin but my guess would be that it's just the interview scores and possibly notes which are recorded on the file.

goodbyestranger · 13/12/2021 14:36

Piggy I haven't seen the film no but I've just googled and mercifully none of my DC look anything like the kids.

I'm not sure that parents of smaller families should be totally dismissive of how parents of larger families parent. There must be a huge amount of variety surely. And why should parents of larger families be more relaxed? Not convinced about that as a generalization.

Juja · 13/12/2021 14:37

Thanks to all for their support earlier today. Update - DD slept from 07:30-11:00 and is feeling much better. Desktop Computer at home all set up and her laptop and a phone as backups so she's ready to go.

goodbyestranger · 13/12/2021 14:40

Back to Curly's question. That's on the basis that there's no reason why the tutors should have more info in an online year than in an in person year.

Juja · 13/12/2021 14:47

@goodbyestranger @Piggyinblankets @Valleyofthedollymix - perhaps I wasn't very clear, not wanting to say too much. I've just two children. DS currently in his first year at O. DD is applying now. My reference to extensive family experience relates to other family members including DH & myself, DB and other family members who have been through the process both recently and in the past.

I think we've probably exhausted this conversation - sorry for any confusion or offence unintentionally caused!

Piggyinblankets · 13/12/2021 15:12

@goodbyestranger

Piggy I haven't seen the film no but I've just googled and mercifully none of my DC look anything like the kids.

I'm not sure that parents of smaller families should be totally dismissive of how parents of larger families parent. There must be a huge amount of variety surely. And why should parents of larger families be more relaxed? Not convinced about that as a generalization.

It was based on a longitudinal study so wasn't a generalisation. Might be able to dig it out...

Captain Fantastic is a great film. Highly recommend it :)

VikingNorthUtsire · 13/12/2021 15:47

@juja glad she's feeling better and hope all goes well.

kitnkaboodle · 13/12/2021 16:28

Three engineering interviews (O) for DS1 today at 2 colleges. He was as cool as a cucumber and enjoyed every one! Shock He's now whistling around the house. Unfortunate contrast to DS2's C interview last Thursday, but we shall see ...

TerrifiedandWorried · 13/12/2021 16:54

Second lot of interviews today. DD really enjoyed them! Hope everyone's DC are coping well

pantjog · 13/12/2021 17:07

@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango

I was looking at stats for DD subject of HSPS and I fear she has made a grave mistake by applying to Clare and should have been more tactical. It is one of the most popular colleges with over 80 applicants and only accepts around 6, very few for HSPS across the colleges are from the pool. Why the hell did I not look into this prior to applying?! Other colleges have around 30-40 applying and still admit the same number of applicants so she would have stood a better chance. I know its done now and no point dwelling but still.....!
Please don't worry! There is definitely fluctuation every year. We thought we'd hit on a great wheeze when DS applied to a central college which seemed to have a reasonable ratio of applications to acceptances for his subject (engineering). When I looked at the numbers for his year, I saw that lots of others must have had the same idea because there was a huge spike in applications... Anyway, DS got offered a place. Don't despair!
DottyHarmer · 13/12/2021 17:16

I know a young person who applied to Clare last year, saw the applicant statistics afterwards, had a fit…. But then got offered at another college where they are very happy. A great candidate will be found a perch.

SirVixofVixHall · 13/12/2021 17:49

Dd had an interview today. Very despondent as she felt it went badly. It was not structured how she expected it to be, and she was asked a question about something she didn’t know about at all, she says she gave a waffly answer and perhaps misunderstood the question.
Another tomorrow.

Panicmode1 · 13/12/2021 17:55

DS passed his driving test today (finally!) so he can at least now drive himself to his other interviews Grin

Stockpot · 13/12/2021 18:04

Looking at the Cambridge link @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango I was stopped short too. 13% acceptance rate for DD’s choice of college and course. With so many other worthy applicants, I think it would be like shooting the moon! I’m proud of her for trying despite the odds.

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 13/12/2021 18:34

@Stockpot

Looking at the Cambridge link *@TangoWhiskyAlphaTango* I was stopped short too. 13% acceptance rate for DD’s choice of college and course. With so many other worthy applicants, I think it would be like shooting the moon! I’m proud of her for trying despite the odds.
Yes I feel the same its 17% with HSPS. The reality is there but then we always knew it would be slim, I just wish she had chosen a different college Sad
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Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 13/12/2021 18:37

@SirVixofVixHall Harsh isnt it? DD was bouncing around after interview 1, felt it went really well. She was the opposite after interview 2. I hope tomorrow is more positive for your dd.

Fortunately DD has not been dwelling on it too much and is now focused on making a decision between Nottingham and Bath, tough choice I think.

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TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 13/12/2021 18:38

@DottyHarmer Thanks for the kind words and fingers crossed.

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Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 13/12/2021 18:39

Thats interesting @pantjog I guess the moral is you never know until you know!

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goodbyestranger · 13/12/2021 18:42

Tango DD1 was told by her tutors that it was a single comment of hers in one interview which decided them in her favour. So on that basis maybe tell your DD not to worry about one meh interview (although i suspect this may well be very tutor/ college/ subject dependent).