Applying to Oxbridge for 2023 intake

[riverpebbles]

Not sure if there is already a thread on this? My son is hoping to apply to Cambridge for Computer Science for October 2023 start.

There are videos on YouTube with a guy from an Oxford college, that gives examples of Oxford interviews and how they are structured, would of thought these days, people would look up them on YouTube ?

is it too late to start on the Oxbridge journey for 2023 entry? DS just got UCAS predictions and we think he should give ìt a shot. Interested in Econ with something else not straight Econ.

Last year my daughter made a sudden decision to apply to Oxbridge in September. Got an offer. It wasn't ideal, as she hadn't done any relevant reading over the summer (had focused on a different subject), let alone any thinking about which college to apply for or the PS. Your DC has time to do the summer reading and planning, so definitely not too late.

What are your DC's doing for summer planning ?

@bettbburg My DC did their personal statements over the summer. Read articles, watched TV programmes and YouTube clips etc. You have to apply earlier for Oxbridge and Medicine. The hard thing is getting it down to the right number of characters.

I mentioned it earlier in the thread but 'Oxbridge Launchpad' was great for DD. Her 'buddy' gave her PS a quick look over and suggested which bits to beef up and which could go. She also gave her a mock interview which made her more relaxed (and was much better than the ones school provided).

DS has a long reading list he's hoping to get through during summer and is also attending a summer camp. Prior to summer he's visited museums and attended online lectures too. He's hoping to apply for Classics at Cambridge and attended their open day earlier this month which really endorsed his decision. He has good grade predictions but attends a local independent school so it's a long shot but he's keen to give it a go. My concern is that he isn't as excited about going anywhere else and he obviously needs a plan b because it's equally likely he won't get a place at Cambridge. I think if he doesn't get in this year he will want to take a gap year and try again.

@juicy0 Why do you think it's a long shot because he's at a local independent school? Very very few state schools offer Latin (let alone Greek). So do you mean that you think the well known public schools have the advantage here? A quick look at last year's statistics for Cambridge tells you that:
Average offer rate for all courses = 18%
Offer rate for classics (3 year course) = 47%
I don't know whether it's the easiest course to get onto, but if not it's very close to it.

@deathbollywood, definitely not too late. DS left everything to the very last minute from deciding which course to writing a personal statement and made a successful application to Cambridge. He has always read widely so didn't need to do any specific/extra reading but he did practice past/sample papers in advance of the admissions test. Good luck to your DS.

@Giantostrich thank you for that information, I hadn't looked specifically into offer rates per course so that's really useful.

juicy0 -Classics has the highest offer rate at Cambridge (along with Anglo Saxon and Norse). It's almost 50%

Also there and two Classics courses - a 4-year one (I think for students whose schools didn't offer Latin) and the standard 3-year one. Not many state schools offer Latin these days.

Thank you @geranio. It's the three year course he's planning to apply for so perhaps he has a better chance than I initially thought.
What course is your DC applying for and where?

How are the personal statements coming along? DS has done a brief outline and a few sentences, but he just hates talking about himself - but I guess a lot are like that really.

I haven't been asked to proof-read the PS yet but understand it is 'in progress'. DD is rather overly organised and she tells me her friends berate her for it but that behaviour is part of who she is. She has a colour coded chart of what she is doing this summer and it seems quite well balanced, PS writing, driving lessons, EPQ, reading, work, tutoring, time with friends, time with us, concerts, Pride, holiday (but that gives more time for reading I am told).

She is someone who feels stressed if she is not in control (if that makes sense) so doing a fair amount under her own steam seems to suit her and she isn't under any duress. The only thing under duress seems to be my credit card that has taken a hit on books she is reading and if we could triple line our bookshelves we would, but piles of books are now creating abstract art features in various places around the house.

I am thinking this time next year I will be clutching at every single moment that she is still at home as she will be off (hopefully) to University (wherever that might be) and wherever she ends up I will miss her like crazy. I know that thought process is creeping in now somewhat and we should be proud of our independent young people ready to fly the nest, but just for a little bit longer I will enjoy the fact she is at home and needs us just a little bit, even when my knuckles are a bit sore from digging into the side panel of the car as a result taking her out for a driving lesson!!!

Yes @PettsWoodParadise I’m trying not to think too much about him leaving home next year for wherever he goes. I enjoy his company as do his siblings and dad. We’ve got the theory test booked for a couple of weeks time, to get it done before the busy term time starts. This first term of year 13 is just going to be jam packed solid by the sounds of it. Summer is being spent having lie ins and projects worked upon with a few fun days out planned in between

My DS has been doing lots of maths so far, and this last week we finally sorted access to a good organ for practice which is filling much of the rest of his time. PS is apparently started but he urgently needs to get a draft sent to his tutor for review as a copy needs to be included with organ scholarship applications on Sep 1st ... We've got 12 days away in a couple of weeks which means August could disappear fast!

Hi, just wanted to mention in case your DC haven't seen this - there is an Oxford tutor on YouTube who gives PS advice that's particularly relevant for humanities / social science subjects. Can't remember the name sorry, but a quick Google will find him. DS, who successfully applied this last year said the most helpful thing from this tutor was that he advised to not just list things they have read or done, but remember to evaluate / analyse everything they mention. Say what you have learned from the process and why, rather than simply "I enjoyed reading.... " Just thought I'd mention it if you have kids starting to write the PS.

Sorry, what I actually meant to say was, make sure the PS reads as if they have opinions, basically.

@OxbridgeHopeful that is a really short time frame, I wonder why they are so early? Is the application process and assessment different to the usual timetable?
@echoecha there was a really great post on possibly last year’s thread from someone who wasn’t an admissions tutor, but was involved in the admissions process. I can’t find the post now, but it talked about boiler plates, voice of god, jones says and all the do’s and font’s of a personal statement.

Yes, organ scholarship candidates can apply to both Oxford and Cambridge to be considered for any colleges that have vacancies. They are auditioned and mostly interviewed (not all subjects) in September and get the results in time to know what to put on the UCAS form. I'm reminding myself that we may be much less stressed than others come November!

Even better that they can apply to both!

It’s Scottish results days tomorrow.

My DS is awaiting results for four highers and advanced higher maths.

The advanced higher is particularly important as it would be part of his possible Cambridge offer for computer science. It’s equivalent to A level maths.

Whereas the highers are worth more UCAS points than AS levels but not as many as A levels.

Good luck to any other Scottish students!

Hi @juicy0! Our daughter is a recent Cambridge graduate and we know some of her Classicist friends, 3 year and 4 year, and I have also spoken to some College Admissions Tutors. I hesitate to mention this as I don't want to add to be negative.

@geranio makes an accurate point but the 50% Offer rate for 3 Year Classics is only part of the story: it's mainly because the number of applicants is so small as the UK pool of potential applicants is so tiny. However, nearly every applicant is a strong applicant so many who are good enough have to be turned down, including after being 'pooled'.

@Dido2010 don't apologise, any information is useful information! Any tips your daughters friends might like to share? DS knows that all applicants will be strong, he is truly passionate about the subject so hopefully that will shine through. I'm encouraging him to enjoy the process but be realistic about the outcome, not getting an offer doesn't mean he's 'failed'

Well the results are in 🥁…………his Cambridge dream is still alive. All A grades today at higher and also an additional advanced higher a year early.

NB an A grade is the highest grade awarded in Scotland.

congratulations to your son @Aurea !!