Oxbridge 2023 support; it's offer month. Good luck all.

[Riverpebble]

New thread for the start of the Oxbridge offers.

@parentalhelpline yep - i was right..www.queens.cam.ac.uk/applying-here/undergraduates/subjects/mathematics

'Queens’ College regard the gap year for mathematicians more positively than other colleges. If you want that time to do something before you come to university, whether academic or not, this need not be a detriment to your ability to study later. Indeed the extra life experience is often valuable preparation for your time at university. You can either apply before your gap year for deferred entry, or we are also happy to receive applications from students after they have completed their schooling.'

@Rejects Yes, it's the year behind thing that could be a problem, and also him thinking that nothing will compare to Cambridge when he actually has really great options, as you say.

One of his issues is not so much the sibling thing as the other opportunities that he was looking forward to. So his best friend is at Cambridge already. Most importantly for him I think, he wanted to throw himself into all the music stuff, and he felt there was less of that at Warwick which otherwise would be his top choice.

Great to know your DS has thrived at Warwick, and kept going with Maths. I'll encourage him to visit again.

I did know that Queens was sympathetic to Gap Year students, although not that they specifically mention mathematicians, so thanks for that. Two things might be a problem: won't all the disappointed mathematicians apply there? And also he has a parent, an uncle, a cousin and an older sibling who went to Queens, so another rejection might be particularly painful!

DD is at Cambridge studying maths, and like your son would have been gutted to not get in. She had looked into the reapplication question and having now stated a maths degree has said that she does understand the perspective the universities have re a gap year and maths - as with just over 3 months from her final STEP paper in late June to starting, she felt the cogs were turning more slowly. She thought she would have found a year + hard. She had heard of a second time applicant who had an offer, but also an increased STEP offer (as A levels already in hand) - 1,1 is enough of a challenge, S,S is a big ask. She had decided if she didn't end up going she'd go to Warwick for UG then to Cambridge possibly for post grad. She liked the choice of options offered by Warwick as varied.

Sorry posted too soon - I wanted to say, good luck to your son with whatever he decides, it sounds like he has some great options

Does Compsci and Maths have entrance exams (I.e.taken when applying)?

DS also had a rejection from Cambridge for comp sci. He was pooled, but not picked out the pool. He is predicted 4 A stars, has a top EPQ and has done lots of other amazing things! He's waiting for St Andrews, Edinburgh and Imperial. He's also applied for the PWC sponsored degree at Birmingham and has just submitted his interviews for that. He is Scottish, which might not help him getting an offer from a Scottish uni (bizarrely). Competition is high!

Does Compsci have entrance exams preinterview @FriendlyLaundryMonster

The PWC sounds really interesting. Do they pay tuition fees and give a stipend....🤑😮

Ds had to do the TMUA. I think there is another potential exam but only some colleges do it. And yes, I believe PWC do pay tuition etc

CSAT is other test for ComSci

My son has applied for the Birmingham thing too (seems too good to be true) but don't think he has had all the interviews yet.

That’s interesting @*NoCatsToday. Ds has had two interview rounds I think, but who knows if he’ll secure anything. Best of luck to yours.

My DC had an offer from Cambridge and has been invited onto a mentoring scheme for the last few months of school and to prepare for uni life. Has anyone else got this?

No did that come from Cambridge?

@madcattersteaparty which college? Nothing like that so far for DS.

I don't really want to say because it would be outing but one of the less traditional, more modern colleges.

And yes it was on the offer email, from the college. It looks like a really good experience.

Thank you for your information and your good wishes. It's good to know that it is easy to lose mathematical form with a break.

I think he will ask for interview feedback and we'll chat to his teachers. And obviously lots will depend on A level and STEP results in the summer.

It's been really interesting (and a bit scary!) following this thread.

DS will be applying for 2024, likely maths and comp sci.

May I ask when do people generally start prepping for MAT and STEP?

Ds said he didn’t get anything like that- seems to depend on the college.

Ds doesn't seem to have had a mention of mentoring scheme in offer letter. 🤔

@madcattersteaparty dd has an offer from a modern college, has been told the mentoring programme is mandatory for all except those from really high performing schools. Tbh I don't know why you wouldn't want to engage - it looks great.

They've also been told there'll be a 'bridging week' to learn about Cambridge, do a trial assignment etc before term starts properly.

Seems v supportive in contrast to ds's experience at Imperial where it was pretty much just straight in - I'm very impressed.

@Pumpkintopf you are describing almost word for word my DCs acceptance letter! I'm guessing it's the same college. I'm delighted, it looks like a brilliant scheme and it looks like it will really help, not only with the next few months of Alevels but also with starting uni in October. And again, the bridging week looks great and unlike some colleges seems to be for the whole cohort.

Definitely pleased it's for the whole cohort- I don't agree with 'differing' them before they even start.

Has everyone had an offer letter from the college then? DD had the email offer via UCAS and something about financial aid from the university but nothing from the college yet.