Oxbridge applications 2023 mutual support thread

[Riverpebble]

A new, friendly thread.

I guess the difference is that Oxford does things on a much more departmental basis even passing over interviewees etc from even application stage as well as holding back for interview whereas Cambridge does it more on a college basis even down to not offering for subjects if they feel they don't have applicants worthy of a place and then use the pool system.

I find I instinctively prefer the online model. I was a bit of a shrinking violet at my Oxford interview 30 years ago and found the strangeness of the surroundings and the confidence of fellow applicants truly alienating. It time travel was a thing and I could have done it online I suspect my interview performance would have been better. Of course in one sense that just meant it wasn't the right place for me, which as Oxford was at the time it definitely wasn't. But if widening participation is the goal, then something that allows applicants to interview in familiar surroundings might be helpful. You can still weed out those who are intimidated by robust intellectual challenge with careful interviewing, and the online interviews are still stressful and high stakes. And successful applicants will at least know they had been 'chosen' when they finally turn up IRL and have to come to grips with the place.

I was going to say that maybe applicants should be allowed to say which they would prefer, but if standardisation of interviews is the goal that wouldn't work. I think Oxford and Cambridge are genuinely doing their best to make the process as fair and equitable as they can, which means thinking carefully about what might suit an absolutely average Jo or Mariam from Northampton whose parents didn't go to uni. Nothing is ever perfect of course.

Not to derail, but oldest is there and accommodation has been fine - 1st year was under £4K in Uni accom (guaranteed for 1st year if you are from out of town), and 2nd year rent was £480pcm for a great central flat very 6 mins walk from her dept. She has had friends who struggled though, mostly if not part of a group.

To bring it back on track Cambridge set up seems a bit cheaper in the whole when you see that laundry etc may be included and meals etc in some. Dd2 has applied to Jesus. Anyone else?

My grandson now has offers from his four choices other than Oxford - all clearly contextual: York Archaeology BBB; Lancaster Geography BBC; Durham Anthropology and Archaeology BBC; Bangor History and Archaeology BBC. He’s getting there with the essays for Oxford. His college is being helpful when ‘prodded’…

@ortigia that's the college one of my students has applied to, so you are correct. I'm not sure it's a good fit for him at all, but I have to keep my opinion to myself. His sister applied to another central C college, was interviewed but then received an offer from a college further out but closer to West Cambridge, which she gratefully accepted. Their DM (who herself has zero qualifications apart from a driving licence) has groused continually about the lack of formal dinners or gowns. She moaned to my C-educated DD about the fact that this college doesn't even have its own boathouse (shock, horror!) DD is as tactful as I am a sledgehammer and explained that if every college had its own boathouse, the river would need to be much longer. Most colleges share and it's fine, but this mother felt that her DD was going to have a sub-par experience due to the lack of traditions. DD explained that the girl would be taught alongside all NatSci students from all colleges and that her college was more her socialising and accommodation, but the mother is still not happy. I'm sure the younger brother going for Trinity is so mum can get her gowns and dinners experience...

@PacificState The other thing about the in person interview, especially for Oxford where you stay for several days, is that I think it makes it harder for applicants to keep a bit of perspective about the whole process. You basically get to pretend to be a student for 3 days, and then, if you enjoyed it but the offer doesn't come, it's more heartbreaking because you have a clearer idea of what you have missed out on. If it's over Zoom, there isn't the same emotional involvement, and that can probably be beneficial to the candidate's performance.

@UnclearNuclear My DS has applied to Jesus at Cambridge too

Oh I'm so glad to hear that @UnclearNuclear my sister's son in 1st year and she has been so panicking about cost of accommodation for next year. We're north of glasgow so I know how expensive it can be

My dd has applied to newnham

Yes @witheringrowan it feels like it might have the effect of concentrating everyone's minds on the interview itself, rather than the ethereal beauty of the surroundings or the arcane rituals, which - whether you love them or hate them - are distractions from the real business of whether or not applicants are suited to tutorial-style learning. If there was some way to parachute applicants directly into the tutors' rooms that would be even better because I suspect there will always be factors that will be more evident when people are face to face!

@witheringrowan @PacificState I agree that online interviews help to keep interviews and Unis in perspective. Oxford and Cambridge are just 2 of many excellent unis. One DC had in person (2019) and the other DC online (2021) and I prefer the approach of online interviews followed by the in person offer holders visit.
Less hype - less pressure - more support from home.
30 years ago I left my in person interview in tears and then had to wait 36 hrs in Oxford to see if I was going to be picked up elsewhere. Wasn't easy...

@HoneyMobster, I think I posted on the 'old' thread yesterday by mistake. Ds is Yr 12 and thinking of applying for Chemistry/Chemical Engineering at Oxbridge. I'd be interested to hear your Ds experience please.

Thanks for the new thread. DD trying to finish first drafts of submitted work today. She's had a VERY full week, and had a practice interview at school yesterday. I think it went well, but she was so overwhelmed by the week she burst into tears afterwards - her teachers have been amazing - one ran out and bought her cakes to cheer her up 😂.

DD was an applicant for the 2021 Oxford intake. She really struggled with the on-line interview, and would have preferred to connect with a f2f person, even having had a year of online lessons due to Covid. So definitely suits some, and not others. We will never know if she would have done better f2f, but in the event didn't get an offer. She is, however, very happy down in Exeter, and very much enjoying her course, her tutors also seem to be, on the whole, very engaging and supportive.

@Turmerictolly - I don't think there's any great secret to a successful Chemistry application. This is what DS did...

• loves Chemistry. Always reading books about Chemistry for fun
• extended essay (similar to EPQ) on something to do with new malaria drug manufacture process
• Smallpeice residential course
• Chemistry Olympiad

-talks at RSC and London universities (we live locally)

• helping out as a lab assistant with younger years at school
• did sone work experience at a firm developing biodegradable plastic films

@Malbecfan I did chuckle on reading your 'no boathouse' comment. My college had and still has no boathouse of its own. It shelters in Univ's as a poor relation. Didn't stop us regularly being Head of the River in Torpids and Bumps and the college we were in most competition with didn't have its own boathouse either. Maybe the DM should consider substance over form but clearly she has her own set of priorities...😂 We didn't wear gown for hall either. Extraordinary we were allowed a degree....

@KnittedCardi - sorry your DD has an unpleasant experience with her online interview though delighted Exeter is a success.
Perhaps the take home message for this year's applicants is try and have your practice interview(s) online so you get used to the format.

DS has now rejected Edinburgh as an option, though he's not had an offer yet.

He had to phone his chosen department with a query and they didn't know who he had to talk to and he was passed from pillar to post.

By contrast St Andrews sorted the same query out with one five minute call and emailed him with confirmation almost immediately.

Thank you so much @HoneyMobster. Looks like a great spread of experience. Ds also reads about chemistry and science generally a lot but is shy so trying to find placements/work experience is proving difficult. We too are outer London based. How did he go about getting the work experience- was it something school helped him with? Also is there an entrance test? We have just started looking at options and it's all so overwhelming.

@Turmerictolly - I used some work contacts to get the work experience - a supplier to the business I work for. I wouldn't worry too much about it to get honest, I don't think it's very key. I'd investigate the London universities lectures and other stuff going on he could pop into. It's all free and good independent stuff a Year 12 could do. Although of course he should be organising this himself...

trying to find placements/work experience is proving difficult.

DH and I are both chemists of very different types - tbh I doubt there is very much relevant work experience available for school aged youngsters. In his type of industrial chemistry company it would be difficult because of HSE considerations, for mine it's hard to think of a meaningful project or even comprehensible shadowing for someone at A level stage (our interns are postgrads!).

So I don't think it's something to get stressed about, I'd think relevant work experience is very much the exception rather than the rule.

Thanks @ErrolTheDragon and @HoneyMobster - glad to know that isn't crucial.

Do let us know if you hear anything! What has he applied for?

DS having a bit of a breather now between the exam and the possibility of an interview. He’s got a couple of in person interviews at a couple of his other choices this month, but apart from that I think a well deserved rest for a few weeks is wise, having fun with friends, just doing set homework and so forth.

@UnclearNuclear He's applied for Law. LNAT done early October and had the general forms back from them which he has sent back...just waiting to hear if has an interview but is having some practise through access scheme in the meantime

That sounds very sensible OnePlus