Oxbridge schmoxbridge?

[Randomword6]

I'm just wondering, my kids all rejected the idea of Oxbridge as dated and elitist, and I didn't go. It was thought back in the day that going to either was a guarantee of a good career, but is this true now? Does it depend on the subject?

@goodbyestranger Oh, I completely understand why it happened; I'd have taught a reduced timetable and created paperwork for the school. I am not entirely comfortable politically with private schools, although I've ended up working in one, so at least I can say that I tried to move sectors!

At the time I was a science teacher. Now I teach a small humanities subject. (My Oxbridge degree was a joint honours in the two, so I can thank my education for that!)

It was amazing. I think they should visit and see what they think rather than having a vague idea of it.

"It was thought back in the day that going to either was a guarantee of a good career, but is this true now? Does it depend on the subject?"

My DH worked at several Oxbridge colleges for over a decade, working in alumni relations. In all honesty, he would say that there are ex students who have gone on to do all sorts... some have gone on to stellar careers, but others just go into normal jobs that have no Oxbridge advantage (teaching etc, and some not even doing graduate level jobs). So it varies enormously (probably on the motivation of the student) and the degree that they did.

There are some (notably law) where networking events (eg gaudies) can really help students get their first jobs, but other subjects much less so.

There are also events through the Oxford connect cards (but I know that from my membership - not because of DH) that I'm occasionally told about.

Oh and to answer another point about going to a different university is necessarily lower. Don't forget that Oxbridge offer a very limited range of degrees. So being extremely bright doesn't mean Oxbridge is the best. My own DD is at a Russell Group uni doing a AHP degree that is not offered at Oxbridge - so it's not appropriate for everyone.

@gohoggie shame we can’t ‘like’ posts as yours is great.

I agree.

It's still going to impress, but it's not the be all and end all.

DP went, whereas I passed up the chance. I loved my RG uni experience in a big city. They hated Cambridge - few decent gigs and clubs, too many annoying poshos, lots of nerdy types who weren't a great deal of fun. But, of course, that's only one person's experience.

IMO there's still a misplaced assumption by some employers that if you're an Oxbridge grad you'll be more able than other grads to convert superb academics into whichever skill set is needed for a particular job.

My trade is predominantly populated with people from Oxbridge. Some are unarguably brilliant at the job. But others are recruited straight from the colleges without any evidence of capability in the actual role.

It's not unusual to find oneself working alongside extremely naive and, often sneeringly arrogant, young people of this background.

The latter may have succeeded over competition from other top ten universities with equal honours and often over candidates with tangible evidence in the form of a hard won, post-graduate, portfolio of work.

All of these youngsters were exceptional at the gateway to tertiary education. Oxbridge, however, can encourage a belief that this potential does not need any further development.

Then, later on, the ones that fail miserably are rarely turfed out...

This is usually because of the highly established and effective alumni network, or outright nepotism, due to Oxbridge educated parents/relatives, to whom they may turn to pull strings.

My DD has made it quite clear that she is not interested in Oxbridge. For one, they don't do the exact subject we wants to do and in her mind " it's far too Tory". . Added to this my DH knows a couple of fellas who went and one is a massive p so this also puts her off.

We are quite happy with her favoured uni, although she may change her mind yet.

I'm not sure going to Oxbridge has the same pull as it used to although a lot of schools still use it to get you to apply to them.

What makes Oxford and Cambridge distinctive are their college systems, tutorial/supervision style of teaching, phenomenal facilities, short terms, subsidised accommodation, generous bursaries, exceptionally active student bodies - I can’t think of any other universities with quite such a wide variety of clubs and societies on offer to suit an exceptionally diverse range of interests (again, assisted by the fact they exist at both college and university level) - and world renowned academic reputations. It’s a bit daft to turn your nose up at all that for silly reasons, like assuming they are “too Tory” or that one person you know who went there is a “p.” Sensible not to consider them if, eg, the courses are not what you are looking for, or you want a less intense experience, though.

Oxbridge is no more or less "Tory" than a random sample of people from any high street across the U.K. Sorry, but I think people who feel the need to cling to that stereotype just use it as an excuse because they lack the confidence to have a go. Which is a shame really.

walkaround I would echo what you have said.

My Dd is looking at University this year for 2023 admission.

I had lots of prejudices and have been pleasantly surprised but what we saw and heard.

Dd has applied 😊

Is 'elitist' another word for 'not for the likes of me'?

I would be a bit concerned about a teenager with a chip like that on their shoulder tbh.

Oxbridge is no more or less "Tory" than a random sample of people from any high street across the U.K.

Probably rather less than more

@Ihlaria

I have relatives who are immigrants in the UK, and friends I know from school, whose children have started from zero knowledge or familiarity with Oxbridge and its traditions, who nevertheless encouraged their children to give it a shot. What we tell ourselves about where we 'belong' is important.

The fact that your dad knows a guy who went to Oxbridge and is a prick, therefore everyone at Oxbridge is a prick, doesn't necessarily indicate the level of reasoning skills required to make a successful application. That particular DC is probably better sticking to her chosen uni. The fact that Oxbridge doesn't offer the course the DC wants however - rock solid reason for not applying.

I have two children at Oxford and neither of them votes Conservative. Does it follow that there are no Tories at Oxford? Discus...

Added to this my DH knows a couple of fellas who went and one is a massive p so this also puts her off.

Wow, what a thoughtful and intelligent reasoning there....

Sorry, ignore the 'a'

I applied for PPE at Oxford in 1996. I was living alone in a bed sit taking my a levels and it was my only dream. They turned me down, writing to my school to say I produced the best history paper they had seen that year, and that it was a shame I hadn’t applied for history as they would have offered me a place. This scarring and mean thing to do sent me spiralling. I still feel upset about it and I’m in my forties.

I went to Edinburgh. Graduated and moved into the civil service fast stream. Then into consulting and now I run my own business and write books in my specialist area. Sometimes I still visit the Oxford website and consider what degree I would take when o sell the business. 😆

I did my undergraduate at Imperial and PhD p/post doc in Cambs and found it the opposite - there was far less lab work in the Natural Science tripos and students there were less interested and competent in the lab.

I work at an Oxford college and have yet to meet a Tory, although I suspect one of the porters might be!

My DSs did a PhD at a Red Brick. However he worked with Cambridge for a lot of it. They approached him.

He said it was full of self entitled arseholes who expect you to give your entire life to it, with crap remuneration.