Oxford aspirants part 5......the wait is over the results are in!!

[TangoWhiskyAlphaTango]

Thought I would start a new thread as its likely to fill up quick now.

So here we are after many months of applications, assessments and interviews. The wait is finally over for those with DC who have applied to Oxford. Those with Cambridge applicants have another 2 weeks to wait until the 25th Jan (bummer!!)

You have all been a lovely bunch to share this journey with and I wish your dc nothing but the BEST OF LUCK for tomorrow (and the 25th).

Familyfallout I've dropped you a PM.

70% isn't that great really though, given that 93% of students are state-educated. Oxbridge still takes a vastly disproportionate number of privately-educated students. Part of this is because state school students often don't apply because they sorry that they won't fit in. I was really concerned about that even though I went to Mansfield, the state school haven! My best friend ended up being a girl who went to a crazily elitist private school.

Anyway. I think there's been a perception in recent years that being privately-educated puts applicants at a disadvantage, but it definitely doesn't!

@mynameisnotmichaelcaine

70% isn't that great really though, given that 93% of students are state-educated. Oxbridge still takes a vastly disproportionate number of privately-educated students. Part of this is because state school students often don't apply because they sorry that they won't fit in. I was really concerned about that even though I went to Mansfield, the state school haven! My best friend ended up being a girl who went to a crazily elitist private school.

Anyway. I think there's been a perception in recent years that being privately-educated puts applicants at a disadvantage, but it definitely doesn't!

I totally agree with you. As an alumna, I'd like to see more progress with opening up access to all.

Oh I agree, but it's gone up 16% I think since 2016. My D1 (2020 entry) had exactly the same fears, coming from an ordinary state school in the NE. 'Not fitting in' hasn't been an issue.

Yes, it's definitely heading in the right direction, but there's no doubt that, as an institution, it's still incredibly elitist.

Good to hear all the replies that DD will most likely fit in at Hertford and enjoy it, thanks for the reassurance, obviously it's up to her where she goes but it's a fantastic opportunity and we are all very pleased for her to have this chance

The over representation of privately educated pupils is partly due to these schools being selective and having a greater percentage of very able students.
Does anybody know if there also a disparity in Oxford students from state grammar schools vs non selective state schools? I would expect there is.
Of course selective schools, be they state or independent, are also more likely to guide their students towards applying to Oxford and Cambridge.
There is a lot of work to be done still to level things up.

There probably is @Whatsinaname321. Not in my area as we don't have state grammars, thank goodness.

I don't think it's about ability but ambition and entitlement. I work in a high-performing state comprehensive down the road from an extremely famous and expensive private school. A huge number of their cohort apply to Oxbridge because it's ingrained within the school culture. We have many students who achieve straight top grades at our school but few of them apply to Oxbridge because they don't think it's for them. I am working hard to convince them that Oxbridge absolutely is for them, and am now supported by a Sixth Form leadership team who believe this too. There is a lot of reverse snobbery about Oxbridge in state schools.

I've also found it very eye opening how much Oxbridge prep some schools offer compared to others. And the focus on elite education outside the UK which I don't think has ever been mentioned at my sons' provincial state grammar.

So the countdown to Cambridge D day begins. 13 sleeps to go. I'm very glad O cones first.

How are the Cambridge aspirants feeling this morning? I suspect you wound like it over and done with asap?

@SandyBayley yes DD would like to get it out of the way but luckily mocks keeping her busy. She's nervous when she has a moment to think about it though ..I think O decisions bumps those nerves up a notch for sure last night ..

Bumped *

Courage @doubleshotcappuccino - DD has lots of friends waiting for Cambridge and other universities. It's somewhat cruel that the news doesn't all happen in one day. At least exam results do!

Thank you @SandyBayley very true !

I suspect you'd find that even of the non-grammars, a high % of the state school comprehensive educated young people at Oxbridge come from leafy London/Home Counties comprehensives with lots of high achieving students (with affluent, well educated parents who can afford tutors if required)! DN is just such an example.

@SandyBayley if I'm honest I'm happy to be in this limbo a while because I'm expecting ds not to get a C offer! Though obviously it will be good to start focusing on the next plan. We're a bit knocked by how tricky he's finding the mocks.

Good luck to all the Cambridge applicants and hope the wait is not too tough.

And the one young person I can think of who got into Cambridge from a failing school (and not very desirable postcode) in a East Anglian comprehensive, actually comes from a very middle-class (professional) background, with Oxford and LSE educated aunt and uncle.

an not 'a' – oops.

I would love to know whether Cambridge interviewed less people this year or not. It seems exams are going ahead in summer so how to people feel that will affect decisions?

My daughter proves the exception. In a disadvantaged area - non selective school - Oxford not even on to the radar until her maths teacher prompted it - she was the only one from the school that applied to Oxford and one other to Cambridge. Had zero help with the application process other than entering her for the MAT which became complicated in itself. Her maths teacher was sick so couldn't get involved with what he started and her tutor was new to the school and barely knew her. For all these reasons she has been earmarked for Opportunity Oxford which I understand but at the same time find slightly patronising bearing in mind she has done everything herself as well as getting the grades without any spoon feeding or outside tutors.

Please don't feel patronised carben. My DD is a 2nd year PPEist, disadvantaged area, UNIQ etc she would have killed to have been offered that kind of support. It is a huge leap to go from having A levels abandoned as they were in 2020 to submitting 2 essays and 2 worksheets each week at an acceptable standard any support offered should be gratefully received as it's levelling the playing field.

@HewasH2O I kind of agree and my daughter is not bothered by it. Just me for some reason. Not sure what she will do if she gets an offer from Imperial though.

@SandyBayley I would like to know now so we can put it behind us and move forward one way or another. I have said all along that I am 99.9% sure DD will not get an offer but of course there is always that part of you that thinks well she might. I will not feel upset if she does not get in (disappointed on the day I am sure) as her second choice may very well suit her better than C overall. Just based on her less than perfect GCSEs, how she felt the interviews went and knowing only 17% get into her chosen course the odds are well and truly against her. All this guessing though just adds to the anxiety. DD has also found mocks a mixed bag so there is always that thought if she did get an offer will she make the grades? Gah I wished it was the 25th!!

@pantjog @Horace123 Sorry I missed your dc offers yesterday - bloody marvellous news hope you and all the offer holders had a lovely evening yesterday celebrating their wonderful news