Oxbridge Rejects 2023 - Come this way and commiserate

[Rejects]

As mentioned on the other thread a safe space for those who'd like a bit of support while not dampening others' moods Sorry that I have gone on a lot about this rejection already on here - it's helped me keep outwardly calm and cheerful when my ds has been very upset.

I am acutely aware in the scheme of things a university rejection is not a huge deal and that amazing lives and outcomes no doubt await all our dc wherever they go, it's just getting through the time between now and A levels and/or offers from other unis arriving, keeping dcs' morale up. Good luck everyone

After dusting herself off after rejection following interview at Oxford, DD is now trying to decide between Exeter and Manchester for PPE. She's visited both and likes them.
She is state school 6th form, quiet and studious. She would like to do a year in the US and/or eventually post grad in US at Ivy League (not sure how realistic this). Any pearls of wisdom gratefully received!

Manchester will be better known in the US than Exeter. That doesn’t really matter for post grad. I think this is a matter of deciding which environment she prefers, as they are so different. Massive city-based uni in huge city, smaller campus - based uni in small city /large town in feel. Seaside or Peak District in striking distance. Accommodation is much better in Exeter than Manchester which is frankly grim. Also look at the year abroad options for the us to see which appeals more.

Manchester would have better options for study abroad in the US.

Manchester has some exchange agreements with Cornell but not with other Ivy League universities. Exeter has agreements with universities such as Colorado State and University of South Florida, which wouldn't be anywhere near the level of the Ivies.

Exeter has a small list available to ppe students but it is and excellent list. William & Mary, Emory, UT Austin, American University in DC, these are all seriously sought after schools where she would have a great time. U New Mexico is also excellent and don’t be too sniffy about U S Florida although I agree it may be a better choice for a marine biologist, but it is a good university.

Manchester has a much longer list but lots (including Cornell!) are only available to business students. Many of them are mid-range state Unis. But it has all the UCs (UCLA, UC Davis etc) Wellesley, Babson, Case Western Reserve, Rutgers, Stony Brook, UNC Chapel Hill and U Maryland Chapel hill so there is lots to choose from.

If she wants to do postgrad in the US (why? SOOOO EXPENSIVE) then then it makes sense to try before you buy with a year abroad I guess. It might scratch that itch, it might not.

All great advice thank you especially about US colleges. She is determined to study in the US at some point and I just get the teen eye roll when I ask why @Delphigirl I think you've hit the nail on the head that its an itch she has to scratch.

@SadDD feel free to PM me. One of my DC has done a study abroad year in the USA so happy to provide any info that may be useful. He would highly recommend the experience !

My DS has too and is just finishing up in California in the next couple of weeks. Happy to answer questions!

Please help with accomodation suggestions for London Unis. My DD has firmed Kings College London and St Andrews as insurance. We went to visit both of them and she loved the London vibe more.
We are asking for advice regarding accomodation. She wants a place that has an easy commute, has access to gym, vibrate local community, she does not want to share a room. We've looked at the options but have no idea in terms of reality of the distance, transport challenges, safety- should she stay late in the library for example. We are in the North.
Any advise on halls that are an easy commute to King's College London Business School will be appreciated.

The halls in Southwark are not far away. They are south of the Thames but in a lively enough area. It’s not difficult to get to the Strand campus. There’s a hall at Elephant and Castle which is a very easy commute to Charing Cross underground (which is close to the Strand) but E&C is not the best student area. In my view. DD rented there. It’s being regenerated with loads of new building but has lost its soul. Southwark is better.

If you go East, you are further away so I would avoid the Olympic park area.

@TizerorFizz , thank you, that's very helpful.

Thank you @Bigfatsquirrel and @Delphigirl for your kind offers. And lovely your kids have had such a great time.

Just to say after a quiet coupl of months good luck to everyone for A level results next week. Hope IB and Highers came in brilliantly and everyone’s dc are excited (if a bit nervous) about the next chapter

Good luck for tomorrow everyone. I am going to take a sleeping pill and get a very early night, it doesn’t help that I have to to back to back work meetings that are unmissable tomorrow morning so if anything goes wrong for DD, then it is DH in charge of going into school with her and exploring clearing options. My inner control freak is going wild at the thought of the pair of them messing things up. DH is confident she will do brilliantly but he was convinced she’d get into Oxford! Dd isn't confident at all and is being horrible but has gone out for the night with her boyfriend. The worst challenge is going to be getting her awake to login to ucas before I leave the house ….

My Cambs compsci reject is taking his 4 Astars to Manchester ❤️. His twin is taking 3 Astars and an A to Nottingham for economics. It really feels like this is how it was meant to be.

Good luck to all of our fabulous kids xxx

Amazing news @multivac - huge congratulations to them both. Ds is taking three A star to Edinburgh and overjoyed. To exciting times ahead!

Congratulations!

After a stressful night dd also got top grades and will see your ds at Edinburgh @rejects. @multivac huge congratulations to your dts 🥳

My Cambridge Maths (post interview) reject is going to Durham. Maths A, Further Maths A, Physics A, Computer Science A. He's happy despite not quite achieving his predicted 4 A from 6th form, but I think he's done brilliantly.

@Netcam well done to your ds! My dd is also off to Durham - which college is your ds provisionally allocated to?

Stevenson. How about yours?

Chads - keeping everything crossed it’s confirmed. She well exceeded her offer so according to their policy on reallocation will hopefully be confirmed.

Massive congratulations @LanadelSlay @Netcam @KittyMcKitty all your dc have done brilliantly. There've been some major upsets at ds's school and he is feeling extremely fortunate and excited

Question for those familiar with Oxbridge. My son was rejected (CS) after interview but has now been contacted by Cambridge asking him if he's still interested in a place and would he like to put himself forward and info about interview dates. He's happy with his firmed university so won't be pursuing this but I have not heard of this happening to anyone else. Is it something they routinely do?

That’s odd at this point. There was a C reconsideration summer pool for those who just missed an offer and who were eligible based on widening access - it ran on Thurs and Fri last week, with everyone informed if they got an offer (few) or not, on Friday evening.

Ive not heard of a direct contact in the way you mention.

I would encourage him to think carefully before rejecting. Yes, he’s got his head round the alternative and is excited. But also think about why he wanted C in the first place and the positives. Don’t respond too quickly but sleep on it and reply tomorrow. He doesn’t want to kick himself later.