Applying to Oxbridge for 2023 the offers are coming in

[bettbburg]

New thread

No one has had an offer yet - there's still some way to go

Which universities offered without him even applying? I've never heard that before. Where did they get his name, A level subjects, predicted grades and course preference from? How did they have access to his persoanl statement without it being sent to them? How bizarre!

@mumsneedwine I just asked him and I got that wrong, sorry. DS has received offers on the UCAS site from 2 unis he DID apply for, we got our wires crossed when he told me.
Luckily, he's cleverer than me.

Crossed posts!!

I bow to your greater knowledge and academic prowess Goodbye Stranger.

Woops, must of forgotton I've got three university degrees myself...

I'm obviously not thinking straight...

Have obviously, hopefully noone hear negates having a disabilty and disabilty affecting typos... oh wait, hang on, someone had a law graduate as a DS. They surely get the Equality and Diversity Act ...

@Januarytoes 😂 did wonder how that had happened.

We've all just scoffed donuts to celebrate today's exams being over. Mixed responses from the students. All done now so just the wait to come. 🤞🤞 for everyone.

Can anyone advise how best to prepare for the interview? DD very studious but not a natural when it comes to interviews

Kissingfrogs25 what is his subject?

@Kissingfrogs25 is it Oxford or Cambridge? DS's Oxford interviews were all about the subject, only one non subject question in 3 interviews which was just a warm up (and DS answered appallingly). DS practiced explaining his workings to various problems out loud. He was also advised to listen carefully yo instructions to pick up cues (example was asked why he had chosen a particular method, (when talking it through tutors suggested something, he spotted a mistake and took on board what tutor had said). STEM subject.

perseverence Is your DC applying for PPE, E & M or Pyschology? Sorry if I've missed any other options. Fortunately my DD didn't go to the sort of school that did any prep for such things or had anyone else that she could compare notes with after sitting it or she would have given up all hope before the interview stage.

Fortunately they place more emphasis on the TSA for PPE than GCSEs or predicted grades, as it really does help to be able to think on your feet. As Beeswain said upthread, the admissions process is a good reflection of the pressure they will face from week to week. My DD routinely has to submit 2 essays each and every week only to have them ripped to shreds in tutes. In her first year she had 2 econ & stats weekly worksheets to throw into the mix as well. She not as academically gifted as some, so it is a constant slog. However, she was warned & just about survives.

Are interviews in person or online?

Online this year

Thanks for supportive post H.

Dd has faced this pressure before, having completed varous research projects so not too worried about that. As I said earlier Covid threw us out again as DD was really ill a week ago and still recovering.

DD said ELAT was "good." No other comms from her and I don't see the point in a post mortem. I just can't bring myself to be stressed over this, she has offers from other good unis and there are real problems in this world. What will be, will be.

@Kissingfrogs25 , DD's Oxford STEM subject interviews were entirely subject based and required working through answers to questions out loud. The format was the same at both colleges that interviewed her.
DS's Cambridge interviews were a general interview followed by a subject one. The general interview was based on his PS and a discussion of current affairs (not subject related). The subject interview was essentially a supervision (tutorial/discussion).

Sure. You are entitled to your opinion hon.

I'm entitled to mine.

Rock on.

BTW, OBVIOUSLY way more stressful if your dc has been ill - throws such a spanner in the works. I was ill during my finals at C - it was a horrible experience doing those tough exams feeling below par. I hope she feels much better very soon perseverence

@perseverence you are coming over awful in what is and has been a supportive thread.
All
Our kids have dealt with covid & teacher strikes & disruption.
But
Not all of us are stressy & aggressive.
Please just stop. You've have a go at several really nice posters on this thread namely @Aurea & @goodbyestranger

Just step away for a bit & take a breath.

Good luck to your dc

Thanks, Cod.

Beach - I have got just as much right to be here as and when I wish as anyone else.

Step back yourself.

I agree @beachcitygirl today this thread has completely changed and is really not a pleasant read. @perseverence you say you aren't being aggressive but the 'duh's, rock ons, step back yourself' at the end of your posts are really unpleasant to read and unnecessary. It would be great to try and get back to the supportive/informative thread that it was.

Yes it would be great to get back to the 'supportive' tone.
However this entails also accepting other peoples' opinions/views and feelings.

Each person has a different way of expressing themselves. And that is fine!

I was coming on after an afternoon of teaching to say that whilst the admissions process to Oxbridge is rigorous, it gives a good foretaste of study there. If these youngsters can hack it, they stand a good chance of being able to cope with the pressure of short but very intense terms.

I came on here as I have experience of 2 DDs applying, one successfully, and hoped that I could answer questions from parents. However, if people want to be rude, I'm off. For the record, I have not been on strike, nor has my school been shut for the 10 months quoted upthread. We were shut from mid-March until mid-June 2020 and from January to March 2021. That's not 10 months. In 2021, I taught all lessons remotely as all students have school-provided laptops, so they didn't miss too much. I'm sorry not everyone had the same experience - mine is a well-regarded state school.

Good luck to all the DC.

Good luck to you also and well done.

Sadly, experiences varied across the country. I have recently donated by the way to the teacher's strike fund in FE as I respect what they are doing and indeed their right to strike.

However funding cuts have affected areas and schools/colleges differently and these things I feel need to be said as they also affect the admissions process. For further information there is research on this to be accessed.

Understand completely if you do not find this a comfortable place but 'supportive' also means being real about what parents and students are experiencing.

Please don't take it personally. Some of us have supported teacher action.,

And in some areas by no means did all schools have provided lap tops. It varied immensely. Again, not your personal fault, but rather a fault of the government who did not deliver on their 'levelling up agenda'.

I agree with you completely here. Ours were funded by a massive fundraising appeal. The government originally promised us 270 (for a school of c950 in March 2020) but then decided that as we had "so many" we couldn't have any. The actual number we had was approx 35. So much for levelling up! The kids are really anti-government without staff needing to say anything...