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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

OP posts:
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SandyBayley · 01/12/2021 20:57

How are mock interviews going? Are people getting them?

DD has two tomorrow. One is a 'Medicine' one and the other is more of a 'Biology' one. It seems sensible to have both given the way the Oxford medicine course is structured and interviewed for. And of course she'll hopefully have interviews for the other medical schools..,

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 01/12/2021 21:22

@SandyBayley

How are mock interviews going? Are people getting them?

DD has two tomorrow. One is a 'Medicine' one and the other is more of a 'Biology' one. It seems sensible to have both given the way the Oxford medicine course is structured and interviewed for. And of course she'll hopefully have interviews for the other medical schools..,

Yes DD had two today, one with her Politics teacher and one with a man who supports the Oxbridge group (not sure his role at the college). She felt they went well especially the afternoon one as he really grilled her on all things HSPS, even questions she did not know she managed to break down into some response. I think there is a complete difference in verbalising an opinion than putting pen on paper, and for her she needs the practice. DD did not have to submit any written work for her course so interview will be her only chance to shine. Complete respect to the College they have been very supportive, its a normal state college but they send around 10 a year to Oxbridge so have a good track record (not saying this will get DD in but the support helps). DD is pretty relaxed about it at the minute and is even looking forward to it, although that may a different story this time next week....!
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SandyBayley · 01/12/2021 21:27

That's good to hear @TangoWhiskyAlphaTango - I guess you want them to have some 'challenge' at a mock interview but not undermine their confidence.

DD's school (independent) is offering the same mock interviews to a number of local state school students. They've been supporting applicants through the process. I know this as I have local friends who have DC who have been getting the support!

Piggywaspushed · 01/12/2021 21:47

DS's actual interviews tomorrow!

SandyBayley · 01/12/2021 21:56

Oh that is so soon @Piggywaspushed - very best of luck to him 🍀

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 01/12/2021 22:02

My DH does the mock interviews for our school as he is an Oxford graduate who's now an academic working at Cambridge. Obviously it's not ideal for DD to have her Dad do her mock interview. Luckily V Posh Private school down the road have offered to do one for her, which I'm grateful for.

ealingwestmum · 01/12/2021 22:13

Best of luck to him tomorrow Piggy

Storminamu · 01/12/2021 22:14

We actually had a look at a Scottish private school, in case it was possible to apply for a 6th form scholarship. In favour of the Scottish system this time, we were surprised to find out that in 2 of DC's chosen subjects their pupils do A'levels at 18, but do the Scottish Higher at 17, having done GCSEs at 16. Whereas at DC's comprehensive they do Highers a year earlier (at 16). There didn't seem much point in pursuing the idea. I assume they do the Highers so that their pupils can apply to Scottish university on the basis of those, if something goes wrong with their A'levels.

Storminamu · 01/12/2021 22:15

DC's school hasn't offered any interview practice, so I may have to improvise something myself.

pantjog · 01/12/2021 22:36

DD found out today that she has an interview at another college in addition to the two at the college she's applied for. She's interpreting that as a good sign...

She just got her result for her instrument exam -- distinction in her ARSM diploma, which is a nice boost.

"Interview practice" at her school unfortunately consisted of a recent graduate telling them all about himself rather than actually asking any questions..

motherstongue · 01/12/2021 22:38

@Storminamu - Glenalmond College let those who had studied a MFL at GCSE take it as an extra (as a Higher) if they weren’t taking MFL to A Level. It was seen as an easy higher that added extra UCAS points.

SandyBayley · 01/12/2021 22:42

@pantjog - it's funny how even the smallest detail can generate a wave of positivity or despondency. DD has decided the 2nd college she's interviewing at looks much more appealing than her first choice. Rather irritatingly the 2nd college is the one I suggested in the first place. I could remind her of this fact...

Eightytwenty · 01/12/2021 22:51

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Isthisjustnormal · 01/12/2021 23:20

No practice here either, @Storminamu: school managed it for the other subjects but comp sci didn't happen: I am of literally no use there, so wondering which of my tech-y mates might be of any value: sadly I suspect they are all somewhat out of date ;-)

Original poster
TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 02/12/2021 05:14

@Piggywaspushed Good luck to your DS today hope it goes well for him!

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NewModelArmyMayhem18 · 02/12/2021 06:11

@Piggywaspushed good luck to your DS2 today!

Piggywaspushed · 02/12/2021 06:43

Thanks guys. I am more worried about tech fails than anything! I am keeping everything very crossed.

5zeds · 02/12/2021 07:47

No practice here either. School did one last year but dd said the interviewer was excruciatingly embarrassed and so it was just anxiety inducing.

ealingwestmum · 02/12/2021 07:59

Fabulous result and boost ahead of her interviews Pantjog. DD abandoned sitting hers this autumn as she just felt she had too much on, and wanted to focus on enjoying music without added pressure. Her violin teacher’s disappointment was offset by finding out DD had applied to her alma mater. It all got quite emotional - it’s lovely how the relationship evolves with teacher/student over time, now that they are young adults.

SirVixofVixHall · 02/12/2021 08:12

Still no sign for DD of an interview at the college she applied for, only the one has come through, at a different college, it says “this is your second interview “ , Can anyone shed any light on this ?

mustardpot13 · 02/12/2021 08:23

@Isthisjustnormal - no mock interviews here either for comp science! My DS doesnt do cs for A level, so I dont know what he will be interviewed on!

pantjog · 02/12/2021 08:34

Good luck to PiggyJr today!

Thanks @ealingwestmum. I don’t think DD would have found time if she hadn’t been applying for music.

Panicmode1 · 02/12/2021 08:36

Good luck to @piggywaspushed DS and fingers crossed the tech stays strong.

DS had a mock interview yesterday and said it was hard and thought he'd got it all wrong, but the teacher (multiple physics PhD, including from Imperial) said he did well. The local private school are also offering interviews so he's applied for one, and a family friend who studied engineering at the college he wants to go to, is going to do a mock for him at the weekend.....so fingers crossed he will be on top form for next Thursday!

Darbs76 · 02/12/2021 08:40

@SandyBayley

How are mock interviews going? Are people getting them?

DD has two tomorrow. One is a 'Medicine' one and the other is more of a 'Biology' one. It seems sensible to have both given the way the Oxford medicine course is structured and interviewed for. And of course she'll hopefully have interviews for the other medical schools..,

DS has 2 this week, one done by Kings college and one by his school, the school principal is interviewing him as he’s a maths teacher and DS has applied for maths. He’s still not heard yet though from Oxford
SandyBayley · 02/12/2021 08:55

@Darbs76 - I can't believe you still haven't heard!

Hadn't realised you were local 😉

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