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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Oxbridge applications 2023 mutual support thread

889 replies

Riverpebble · 02/11/2022 22:05

A new, friendly thread.

OP posts:
Karwomannghia · 10/12/2022 19:17

Is it just Oxford who do more interviewing if you get pooled? Ds has his Cambridge interview on Monday, just wondering if there’s any chance he might be asked to do another if he’s pooled- how do you know?

Original poster
Riverpebble · 10/12/2022 19:31

Both interviews here were at the same O college which ds applied to.
No idea what that means, if anything,

OP posts:
carben · 10/12/2022 19:53

I found the whole thing completely confusing. However my DD did virtually all the application herself. No mock interviews, no help with PS ( she was embarrassed to even let us read it) and no 'Oxbridge Classes'. The last time someone went to Oxbridge from her school was 5 yrs ago and that was 1 random just like her. They have been brilliant though. The Opportunity Oxford programme is fantastic. It really gives them a head start and builds confidence and belief in their abilities. From my point of view they've got a bloody good, capable and self-motivated student who might not have the polish but has certainly got the ability.

Karwomannghia · 10/12/2022 19:54

Sorry I meant had not has, it was almost a week ago.

River DS had an assessment and an interview for Cambridge but his friend had 2 interviews for Oxford and no assessment. I think that was the norm for her course.

Karwomannghia · 10/12/2022 19:57

I got ds to add a bit more enthusiasm into his personal statement eg I am fascinated by etc but other than that it was on him. Sounds like they’re keen to diversify!

ForeverbyJudyBlume · 10/12/2022 20:11

Thank you for such an informative- and helpful reply!! Good luck too to your dad and all these clever, motivated kids out there!

ForeverbyJudyBlume · 10/12/2022 20:12

I meant to your ds - autocorrect!!!!

JulesJules · 10/12/2022 20:59

witheringrowan · 10/12/2022 12:37

@redtulip12 I was sent out for an interview at a second college, but received an offer from my first choice. It can be for a several reasons:

  1. Standardisation: they think you are a good candidate & the faculty will want to make sure that all tutors are applying the same standard.
  2. Second opinion/resource: In my third year I was helping out at interviews, and as one of the two college history tutors was on sabbatical, they had a semi-formal arrangement with another college to share the interview load & make sure all candidates were seen by two tutors rather than one tutor plus post-grad assistant.
  3. Borderline: Your first choice college likes you, but aren't sure if they'll have room, so want to give you a shot elsewhere/second college doesn't have as many good prospects as they'd like and are trying to pick up some people from elsewhere.
  4. The borderline and space thing comes up more frequently for people applying for joint schools in my experience. Maybe the English tutor loves you, but the History ones aren't impressed. Or they both like you, but there's also an outstanding History and Politics candidate and they only take one joint honours student per year. If one of your joint subjects feels really strongly that they want you, they'll usually ask if you'd accept a single subject offer.
A second interview doesn't mean you'll definitely get an offer, but it does usually mean you aren't a direct no after the first interview.

D1 is doing a History joint at Oxford, they only take one at her college, and not every year. One of the girls who was also interviewed for that course at her college was sent to iv at another college, but ultimately offered a place on one of the single honours courses at the original college.

juicy0 · 11/12/2022 13:43

Trying not to think about the outcome for DS but 25th January feels light years away!

OnePlusOneEquals · 11/12/2022 16:25

Two more interviews for DS this week, then it’s a still long (but not as long as the wait for Cambridge) till we hear either way.

Firefox1066 · 11/12/2022 17:19

Yeah 1 more interview of DS tomorrow at another college and then we are done. It’s O, so the wait is until 10th Jan but that’s gonna feel very very long!

Codfishermen · 12/12/2022 08:58

Good luck to all dc (mine included 😀) going in for a second round today! VERY glad with the snow they are not actually in O, or struggling to get there ... Fingers crossed for good broadband connections all round

goodbyestranger · 12/12/2022 09:21

DD3 interviewed at Oxford during the very heavy snow of 2010. I was there too, collecting an older DC. It was incredibly beautiful but the roads were lethal and the trains were all over the place. Then all the letters with news of offers or otherwise got stuck in the post for days and days....

www.larkinweb.co.uk/gallery/oxford_snow_2010/506-100-web.html#heading

redtulip12 · 12/12/2022 09:40

Good luck to everyone with interviews this week!

ErrolTheDragon · 12/12/2022 10:27

Tangentially, I wonder if more other unis will start doing interviews again now they can be done remotely? Back in the 70s afaik everywhere did. Snow prevented me getting to mine at Durham and DH at Manchester.

Original poster
Riverpebble · 12/12/2022 10:41

Good luck this week everybody

OP posts:
EmmaStone · 12/12/2022 10:47

Good luck to the DCs with interviews this week. The final (ish) hurdle!

balzamico · 12/12/2022 13:51

DD (History, Oxford) has been given an interview at a different college this week. In truth the college (St Edmunds) sounds amazing and possibly a better fit for hear than Worcester so 🤞

Firefox1066 · 12/12/2022 15:06

DS has his second college interview this morning, so we are now officially done! He said it was "very tough" and was a little despondent, but I reminded him that he should be proud of his efforts and that we will see what happens come offer day.

Good luck to all DCs and parents for the remaining interviews!

FlyingSquid · 12/12/2022 15:14

Firefox1066 · 12/12/2022 15:06

DS has his second college interview this morning, so we are now officially done! He said it was "very tough" and was a little despondent, but I reminded him that he should be proud of his efforts and that we will see what happens come offer day.

Good luck to all DCs and parents for the remaining interviews!

That’s a normal feeling, I’d say, Firefox. DD hated her final interview, having rather enjoyed the previous ones, and it was the second college that offered her a place.

Good luck to all; whatever the outcome, they are very bright students with a lot to offer.

(Though given that my Oxbridge student had seemingly forgotten it goes dark early in winter when planning a snowday meet-up, some of them still have a lot to learn.)

Codfishermen · 12/12/2022 15:22

DD enjoyed her third interview today and then rushed out in the garden to make a snowman. She's done all she can and whatever will be, will be ... I'm proud of her for keeping (mainly) cheery throughout.

Jeelba · 12/12/2022 17:50

My grandson had his first interview this afternoon and, after some problems with audio at first, it seems it went smoothly enough - but ‘I’ve no idea how I did’ was his only comment! Next interview at a second college tomorrow morning,

multivac · 12/12/2022 18:42

ds has 2 interviews tomorrow pm (cambs). He's decided to do them from home, and it's going to take all my willpower not to eavesdrop!

Catintinsel · 13/12/2022 07:17

Good luck with the interviews everyone. It's an opaque process for sure. My eldest just started at C in Sept. The published stats now show that his particular college interviewed 44 for his subject. They made 7 direct offers and two more were successfully taken from the pool by other colleges (the stats don't show how many were actually pooled). But now, only 5 are actually there - and one of these got in last minute in August via the Summer Pool (only available to those who meet certain WP criteria). I can only assume this means 3 out of the 7 made offers did not get the required A star, A, A on results day? Whereas I bet loads (most?) of the 35 who were turned down went in to get at least the minimum grade requirement, if not a full sweep of A stars. So it just shows, this process is far from an exact science. You have to wonder what goes on really.

OnePlusOneEquals · 13/12/2022 07:31

Last interview today for DS from the 2nd college, it’s been an interesting process for sure! I’ve particularly enjoyed reading about the interviewers themselves, where they’ve studied/lectured and their specialities. It’s fascinating!