Oxbridge Aspirants - Part 6

[HoneyMobster]

The offers are in but there is still a long way to go...

@CurlyhairedAssassin
@Panicmode1
@PermanentTemporary

Is this the correct thread for kids putting in oxbridge applications this year for entry 2023 or have I missed a thread? Xx pa good luck to everyone's kids!

This is the thread for those of us nervously chewing nails and counting down to A level results to see if they can take up their offers for Sept @beachbeachcitygirl! I'm sure there is, or will be, a thread for 2023 entry. Good luck!

DD has her reading list! Two medicine books to be read before the start of term. Feeling real now. We also picked up a beautiful ball dress for £12.99. She now has 3 suitable ones.

Feeling for those waiting for results.

I'm trying to convince myself that ds won't make it, to try and cushion the blow. He'll have a great time at his insurance choice but this limbo bit is unpleasant - I know ds would really like to go to Cambridge and it doesn't help that the wider family are assuming it's a done deal. No nails left and still over a month to go.

I'm the same. DD is not saying anything but she was pretty upset after the first Further Maths paper. I'm not saying much because nothing can be changed now and I don't want to ramp up the pressure for results day. It is what it is. Terrifying

Same here. First STEP paper went well, second went OK, really hoping OK is enough.

DD was really unhappy with how one of the exams went and is pretty confident she won't get the grades she needs. I think she is very probably right. So I've switched off thinking of her going to Oxbridge and we have been putting some work into the Plan B. I have to admit that I think that Plan B has some big advantages over Plan A. Ok, I'll admit that Plan B was always my favourite plan...but if she does end up getting the grades, of course I'll be very happy for her, as that's her preference.

I'm feeling similar @giantostrich - I think DS's plan B is actually the better choice, and he will ENJOY it more. A friend's DS who started at Cambridge last year (doing maths) has said it is so relentless and he's not sure he's enjoying it (and he got 4 As etc).....but I know that DS will be bitterly disappointed if he misses out and gets an A rather than an A in his FM.

I wish it was not such a horrid wait for them and us!! Running out of nails and hair....

I'm afraid I'm genuinely not thinking about results day, as I like Plan B but will also be happy if DD gets the grades for Oxbridge. But DD has mentioned results day a few times, so is clearly a lot more invested than I am. I made the sensible decision to tell almost no-one about the Oxbridge offer, so that's reduced the pressure. I was extremely chilled about the whole Oxbridge application process too.
I have an older DC at Oxbridge. They like it, but it's not the be all and end all. They were a bit underwhelmed when they got there, because there was so much hype about it from school.

DD has also just received her reading list- just after she returned from her post A level holiday to Greece with friends !
Nowt much experienced ‘beyond the strip’ but a good time has been had by all! 😂
I think she’ll wait until 18th August before ‘getting stuck in’ as will be doing paid work amongst other stuff.
@Giantostrich what Uni is your DD holding an offer at and for what subject?

DD's plan B is maths at Birmingham Uni. We did an Open Day and an Offers Day and I thought it had a really nice feel. I am as confident as I can be that it would be a good place to live, study, enjoy and make the most of being 18-21. No getting away from the benefits and kudos that Oxford would bring and if she doesn't get the grades she'll feel like she's letting people down but it could be a blessing in disguise in the long run.

@carben my bro went to Birmingham to to economics after narrowly missing hitting his Cambridge grades. He had a blast and really enjoyed it.

(He is actually now a consultant surgeon so got a second bite at the uni cherry and was a perpetual student in his 20s 😂)

@Panicmode1 that's good to hear and fair play to your brother. As John Lennon once said 'life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans' or something like that anyway. All these potential Oxbridge kids have the brains and persistence to get this far, they also have youth and ambition. Whatever happens they'll be ok.

DD only applied to Oxbridge as is taking a gap year. But Plan B is to go to university abroad. That is also far from a given, so Plan C is to apply to university in the UK in the next UCAS round, assuming A doesn't happen, and in case B doesn't happen either.

Sorry, I thought you were asking about Plan B. It's one of the straightforward subjects, not one with an extra exam.

Ds is currently interrailing in Prague and blissfully unconcerned - says he’ll take a year out if he doesn’t get in.

he missed 2 exams on the same day due to covid - for one of them that only left him with one paper. If he’s messed it up at all he’s not going to get the A he needs.
He’s not going to be back for results day but has nominated me to call the college for him if they do reject him. Anyone know anything about extenuating circumstances?

anyone else in a similar situation?

@Luckything50
That sounds really difficult. Is there nothing on the university or college website? In your position I think I'd call the college now, before they get too busy on results day, and talk it over with them.

We're in Scotland and DD has her exam results and made the offer! I wasn't expecting that, as DD wasn't happy about one of the exams. DD1 is already at the university, and is really enjoying it now that the Covid situation has improved.

Good luck to all of you with DCs in the rest of the UK!

@Luckything50 - DS missed his last exam with appendicitis and we emailed Cambridge and Lancaster at the time. Cambridge got straight back to say don’t worry about it and they would keep a record. Lancaster sent us extenuating circumstances form to complete. School sent off whatever evidence they had to submit along with his hospital paperwork. Will just have to see what Thursday brings for him but we’re not confident! He will be happy with Lancaster so will just see.

@Storminamu Many congratulations to your DD - how exciting - my DS has had a great first year and was fortunate to escape the Covid disruption. Enjoy celebrating..

@Luckything50 uncertainty sounds tough but glad your DS is fairly easy about it though must be worrying, @craggyrat 's advice sounds good on extenuating circumstances and making uni aware. Did their A level only have 2 ears without any course work or some course work too that will help?

6 days to go for many of us.. here DD is busy with work as a waitress and meeting up with some friends so the next few days will hopefully whizz by. Fortunately she is more excited about her year working in Marseille and likes her Plan B and Plan C so is being pretty calm.

Fabulous news @storminau well done your DD!

Sorry I can't help with extenuating circs but it looks that you've had sensible advice.

We've just come back from 2 weeks away and now DS is at Boardmasters until Monday...hopefully he will be back in one piece and able to go and collect results on Thursday before he heads back out to France with friends (he's already done 10 days on the Mont Blanc Tour with friends...he's certainly packing everything in before uni starts!)

Good luck everyone's DCs for Thursday!

@craggyrat and @Storminamu thanks for your suggestions and comments. He was at boarding school so I think they informed the uni about the issue. I’m just really hoping it’s all fine and I don’t have to start being pro-active.
I sort of feel like after 18 years of sorting him out it’s now his turn, but he’s not here so..,
🤞🏼

Hopefully his school submitted the form by 1 Aug Luckything50. Worth a check with his school?

Each College would follow the same system, so Google Oxford University Offer Holder Extenuating Circumstances.