Page 32 | Oxbridge applications 2023 mutual support thread

ErrolTheDragon · 13/12/2022 08:58

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?

Not necessarily- some may have decided to have a gap year or go elsewhere. If you have a glance through the spreadsheet of applications, offers and acceptances by UCAS centre for those with large numbers of offers, they're most likely to have a few not accepting. I'd have thought these - the famous public schools, the prestigious Singapore colleges - will be turning down Cambridge to go to a Harvard, MIT etc.

Catintinsel · 13/12/2022 09:56

Thanks, ErrolTheDragon. That is also possible. It seemed strange to me to think that out if 44 students for 7 places (all of whom must have at least A star A, A and most have probably exceeded that with two or three A star predictions), they managed to choose three who didn't go on to get the minimum grades. Especially when the ones they pooled obviously made the grades and loads of the ones they rejected would have got three A stars.

This is a college with 80% state school applications. I guess some of those offered might have turned it down and gone to MIT etc instead. Maybe this is what happened. It's not really a course that attracts many internationals though because they don't really teach it as a discrete subject in say, China or the US or even other European countries.

Anyway, the point I'm making really is that, in regard to interviews, you do hear people say, "Ob they know what they're looking for..." But really, I think any student with above the required grades would easily cope there and the rest is largely arbitrary.

HewasH20 · 13/12/2022 10:48

Catintinsel it's more common than you think. I friend turned down her place at Oxford last year for a less traditional degree course which will give her far greater prospects in the future if she continues down her chosen career path. Some people don't want the cloistered life.

Teriyakieverything · 13/12/2022 11:47

@Catintinsel I see where you are coming from.

Jeelba · 13/12/2022 12:32

My grandson is still thinking of choosing a course he likes better elsewhere (he has an offer from this university already) rather than at Oxford - if he were to get an offer in January. And this despite seemingly thoroughly enjoying his second interview this morning (at a college other than the one he applied to).

Lemonella · 13/12/2022 13:24

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.

Are you able to point to the stats that contain numbers interviewed? We have only ever been able to find applied and offered for C. Many thanks

multivac · 13/12/2022 14:07

First interview done. He thinks it went ok (and that he could have done better - doesn't everyone?). Started with PS stuff, then a logic thing (something about lightbulbs and buttons?) then a question about targeting ads to specific user groups on sm (this is comp sci at C). He said he liked the interviewers.... Next one at 3.05!

Original poster

Riverpebble · 13/12/2022 14:21

multivac · 13/12/2022 14:07

First interview done. He thinks it went ok (and that he could have done better - doesn't everyone?). Started with PS stuff, then a logic thing (something about lightbulbs and buttons?) then a question about targeting ads to specific user groups on sm (this is comp sci at C). He said he liked the interviewers.... Next one at 3.05!

Good luck!

OP posts:

Catintinsel · 13/12/2022 14:31

Lemonella - My apologies, I should have said 44 applicants. They wouldn't have all been interviewed, but I think they interview about 80% on average?

multivac · 13/12/2022 15:49

Second one over; I think he enjoyed it more, and was telling me all about the problems he had to solve, which were quite good fun! That's it now, I guess, until nearly February... good luck to all the candidates xxx

dingdongbe · 13/12/2022 18:26

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.

yes, the admissions process has a big element of luck and arbitrariness to it. Just because you get an offer it doesn't mean that you were much better than those who didn't and vice versa.

pipnzip · 13/12/2022 22:52

So true. Viewing the FOI requests re subject admissions/interview scores for the subject my DS is applying for at Oxford, you can see some who get 17/18 out of 20 for both of their interviews and still not be offered a place. There are simply more excellent applicants than there are places available.

Thedoglovesmemore · 14/12/2022 07:24

pipnzip · 13/12/2022 22:52

So true. Viewing the FOI requests re subject admissions/interview scores for the subject my DS is applying for at Oxford, you can see some who get 17/18 out of 20 for both of their interviews and still not be offered a place. There are simply more excellent applicants than there are places available.

How do you access that information?

pipnzip · 14/12/2022 08:47

I searched ‘freedom of information requests (subject) admissions Oxford University’ in Google and a mine of information popped up, on whatdotheyknow dotcom. It’s a great way to distract myself to avoid interrogating my DS re his interviews. Trying so hard to be nonchalant but supportive but am feeling the long days til Jan 10 already - really appreciate this thread. That said, more data can be pretty anxiety-inducing at times - really makes you realise you can be an awesome candidate and still not get an offer. But then other great universities are available! 😉

balzamico · 14/12/2022 12:54

O interview was really challenging and thorough but she thinks it went well.
Roll on 10th January! 🤞🤞

dingdongbe · 14/12/2022 13:03

When will Cambridge send out their decisions? January 25?

usedtobeboss3 · 14/12/2022 13:36

Someone on here said 25 Jan, and I can't find anything else, even on Cambs admissions pages...

JulesJules · 14/12/2022 15:20

According to info on Emmanuel College's website, decisions will be on UCAS at some point on 25th January.

Unsuccessful applicants will be emailed by the college on 26th Jan, and successful applicants will receive offer letters via email between 26th and 31st Jan

Catintinsel · 14/12/2022 16:00

Last year, C decisions came out on 25th Jan. Colleges send out subject offers / rejections in batches. Some people had heard by 9am, but we were waiting until about 2pm. It went on until about 6pm.

It generally takes a few more days after that for UCAS to update.

Very best of luck to everyone!

Lemonella · 14/12/2022 18:37

Catintinsel · 14/12/2022 16:00

Last year, C decisions came out on 25th Jan. Colleges send out subject offers / rejections in batches. Some people had heard by 9am, but we were waiting until about 2pm. It went on until about 6pm.

It generally takes a few more days after that for UCAS to update.

Very best of luck to everyone!

For this years admission round, Cambridge are notifying everyone on 25th via the UCAS portal, and colleges are following up with formal letters to offer holders from 26th.

balzamico · 14/12/2022 19:45

Does anybody know what time or how Oxford decisions will come out?

whiteroseredrose · 14/12/2022 20:06

balzamico · 14/12/2022 19:45

Does anybody know what time or how Oxford decisions will come out?

DS got an email in the morning, before school, but I was at work. However his UCAS changed earlier. DD can't remember!

juicy0 · 14/12/2022 20:54

DS received an offer from KCL today so only 2 left now, cambridge and Edinburgh :)

princesdando · 14/12/2022 23:10

juicy0 · 14/12/2022 20:54

DS received an offer from KCL today so only 2 left now, cambridge and Edinburgh :)

That's awesome and must be a relief!

princesdando · 14/12/2022 23:11

pipnzip · 14/12/2022 08:47

I searched ‘freedom of information requests (subject) admissions Oxford University’ in Google and a mine of information popped up, on whatdotheyknow dotcom. It’s a great way to distract myself to avoid interrogating my DS re his interviews. Trying so hard to be nonchalant but supportive but am feeling the long days til Jan 10 already - really appreciate this thread. That said, more data can be pretty anxiety-inducing at times - really makes you realise you can be an awesome candidate and still not get an offer. But then other great universities are available! 😉

Thanks for sharing. DS and I did the google search and information was quite interesting.