Oxford/Cambridge - current students support/chat thread 2022 - cont

[Panicmode1]

@petitebleu - so sorry to hear about your DS. I hope that some time out over Christmas may help to give him some space and time to think about his next steps.

DS has been given a date for his college's BA graduation (the same day as his flight to Switzerland) and needs to register for this even though he is hoping not to graduate this summer.

Plan A (he does as expected in his exams): he withdraws from the graduation ceremony, and continues to 4th year.

Plan B (he does less well than expected): he reschedules his flight, delays the start of his internship, sources the academic dress at the 11th hour, and we attend the graduation.

I think the window between getting the results and the graduation date is likely to be less than a week.

I’m relating to the other finalists’ mothers here. DD1 is back and working hard on revision. Her extended essay is done so at least she knows that a small part of her finals is completed. I really feel for all the finalists: I remember how stressful it was and even now occasionally have anxiety dreams about them.

Ironoaks at Oxford they supply the academic dress as part of the fee paid ahead for the graduation, so no sourcing to be done. The graduands have to give their size ahead of the day and pay £30 or so. No idea if they get the fee returned if they don't graduate after all. Won't Cambridge be the same? (DS3 still hasn't graduated formally/ Covid).

This must happen a lot anyhow, due to the Bachelors/ Masters thing. So presumably very much par for the course.

When DH attended his graduation some years after actually leaving it came to light that altho his parents had sent the money for a scholars gown, the money was spent on beer. So DH was running round the college trying to find a scholars gown to borrow. Luckily he was recognised from a college football photo in the bar, correct gown borrowed and inlaws never knew.

He has been sent information about what to hire and directed to Ryder & Amies / Ede & Ravenscroft, the implication was that he needs to sort this out himself. He can wear the gown and suit he wears to formal hall, the only additional items that would be needed are a BA hood, a white bow tie and bands. He hasn't been asked for a fee (yet).

Yes, they must have loads of students cancelling because they've met the entry requirements for a planned fourth year (Maths, Natural Sciences, Management). So hopefully it's routine.

@Ironoaks, I don't know if this is relevant but at DD's college, those in the third year (BA) of the four year MEng course are specifically advised that they will graduate next year and will receive the BA and MEng in the same ceremony.

Yes, he is hoping to get the BA and MSci together next summer, but his place in fourth year won't be confirmed until he gets his third year results, a few days before this year's graduation. The college has instructed those students in this position to register for this year's graduation and then withdraw at the last minute if they get the grades needed.

Takox my DC have borrowed gowns from each other - it's fairly common (easier I guess if you have younger siblings to snatch one from :)).

No Oxford graduations for me to go to this year but hopefully two next year, fingers crossed. And a Cambridge one too if DS3 sorts it out. He likes nice food so I've tried to bribe him with the promise of a lovely Cambridge meal for him, his gf and and any siblings there are space for but I'm not optimistic that I'll get a Cambridge graduation, I think he's moved past it. A definite hesitation when I mentioned a few places we could have dinner at though, so never say never.

@ironoaks, that seems a rather convoluted process at your DS's college!

DS has received the university info on graduation dress which specifies a black evening jacket and trousers or black (or a very dark plain) lounge suit. Can anyone advise on which is the most popular? Or perhaps it depends on college? (This is Cambridge; it's straightforward subfusc at Oxford).

@ofteninaspin - the gown will be covering most of the suit anyway, but he could look at photos of the college's graduation from last year, or ask his friends which they plan to wear.

@ofteninaspin would you like me to ask DD what most of her male friends wore?

@Ironoaks that was DD's position, but this was one thing where Covid actually made things simpler as nobody was graduating in person in 2020 which was the end of her 3rd year. She picked up both her BA and her MSci in 2021. I think the BA is due to be upgraded to an MA soon - @goodbyestranger any ideas on timing for that? Then fingers crossed, it will be a PhD by which time I might even treat myself to a new frock. @Cliff1975 's thread has shone a light on outlets I've never heard of. Retail therapy beckons just as soon as I've invoiced my instrumental pupils for last term's lessons.

I think it's still three years after the BA at Oxford Malbec. What a shame that your DD1 and my DS4 aren't at the same place - it would be a lovely thing to share a PhD ceremony for the two of them. I'd stand you a malbec or two!

Excited - we are going to manage a trip to a formal hall in DS' college before the end of his first year with a trip in a couple of weeks time 🥳. And he's sounding hopeful he may move up a boat for May Bumps, so that's also another excuse to go and visit.

I think an Oxford BA is upgraded to an MA "21 terms after matriculation" (so 7 years after matriculation, but it's only 6 years at Cambridge)

I remember DH getting the notification about his (Cambridge) and me being most put out that my university didn't similarly upgrade😁

Hello all,
I've lurked on here but never posted, but always found loads of useful tips. But just seen mention of May Bumps so here is my first question! My son (C) may (or may not!) end up being involved this year - and if he is I'd love to see it. It all sounds a bit bonkers, and he is very busy around that time as is involved in May Ball and so says he won't have time to see us... But I'm thinking it might be fun to drive up and watch it anyway... anyone who has been before got any tips?
Thanks!

I did this in Oxford last year as I was working in Reading for a couple of days. I popped across one afternoon, found a space on the riverbank & watched.

I'll be at the May Bumps too! The most comfortable thing to do is to drive to the Plough at Fen Ditton, pay to park, and hang out in the pub garden all afternoon. I would try to be there from around noon or so if you're doing this, but not everyone has my tolerance for the experience. It gets very busy and queues for food are long, but you get to see all the crews on their way up to the start - they all do a big show off practice start outside the pub, to loud cheers from the increasingly sozzled observers. Then on the way back down when they're racing, you'll see some of the better crews going past the Plough and probably a couple of bumps.

There's a little ferry from the Plough that you can pay to take you over to the other path.

If your child is likely to bump before they get to the Plough, or if you want less booze and more exercise, walk up the river from wherever you are in town. The best spot of all is near Grassy Corner and anyone will tell you where it is, or just stop somewhere that you can find a space to sit on the grass. Just keep an eye out for crews that have bumped trying to get to the bank, you'll need to get out of the way of the oars as they land.

Won't be in town to watch DD rowing in the Summer Eights but looking forward to taking DS4 and DD4 out for supper at Arbequina next week, on my way (fingers tightly crossed) to Provence.

Have fun

Top tip @PermanentTemporary - thank you for that. Maybe see you there!!

Oh delicious Arbequina @goodbyestranger , D1's house for next year (staying in Oxford post graduation) is just round the corner.

Have you all booked hotels and restaurants for graduation trips?