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Original poster

Oxbridge Rejects 2023 - Come this way and commiserate

485 replies

Rejects · 20/02/2023 13:57

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
TizerorFizz · 14/03/2023 22:59

They do go on exam results in the end. If you don’t get your offer, you don’t get in. Well the odd one might be let in but largely it’s no.

BikeMum8 · 14/03/2023 23:33

DS is trying to decide between Warwick and Manchester unis… we would welcome any insights into both/ either? Also interested in the cost of student housing in years 2/3 when they are in private rentals. TIA

ACJane · 14/03/2023 23:59

Not really though as the vast majority of applicants would get or exceed the offers IF they got one.
It's getting the offer that is the challenge and very few miss the grades on exam day.

ACJane · 15/03/2023 00:00

Sorry, it wasn't clear that that was for @TizerorFizz

ThighMistress · 15/03/2023 08:53

I wouldn’t worry about tales of people who sailed in never having read a book but wowing clueless dons. Maybe one in a thousand, but ime not one student “does not like reading.” Sure, you may be put off reading for pleasure for a while, but anyone who doesn’t read or hasn’t read? Yeah, right. And only having read Sparks Notes? Again, yeah.

Also beware of people’s 30-year-old anecdotes. Times have changed.

sytron · 15/03/2023 09:04

Bikemum8: Manchester had problems with student accommodation this year I believe, so that might be something to consider. However, it is possible to live within commuting distance of manchester very easily if you don't mind not being in the student accommodation (but may not be as cheap).
Warwick has a campus that I have been told is like an industrial estate, but the people who go love it. Students can stay in leamington spa or coventry.

LanadelSlay · 15/03/2023 10:20

ThighMistress · 15/03/2023 08:53

I wouldn’t worry about tales of people who sailed in never having read a book but wowing clueless dons. Maybe one in a thousand, but ime not one student “does not like reading.” Sure, you may be put off reading for pleasure for a while, but anyone who doesn’t read or hasn’t read? Yeah, right. And only having read Sparks Notes? Again, yeah.

Also beware of people’s 30-year-old anecdotes. Times have changed.

Not remotely 30 years old - these examples are from this year, the first a direct contemporary of my dd, the second a relation. DD was upset because she adores reading, reads obscure 17th century novels for pleasure ie exhibited all the "passion" that keeps coming up but didn't get an offer (after being pooled) despite high scores in tests. But I am absolutely not saying the non-reader doesn't deserve a place because she's very clever, just not crazy about the subject. Ditto Sparks notes person. They can both debate and argue when they have to, so if they're prepared to do that for three years then why not? It takes more than a 20 min Zoom with a nervous teenager to work out if someone is truly wild about their subject and since not every student is going to go on to PhDs I don't see why it matters. And to whoever says this bodes badly for the future of Oxford, as someone else said the talent is getting spread more widely and that's undoubtedly a good thing.

ThighMistress · 15/03/2023 10:38

Hmmmm, but haven’t we all heard those people who say, “Oh, I did no revision! I can’t believe I got full marks! There must be some mistake! [tinkly laugh] “

Possibly the same with applicants who claim only to have read the Sparks Notes. For a start it puts the competition off the scent, and also makes them seem oh so blasé and possessing innate talent, unlike the sad grafters (which they are too of course).

ThighMistress · 15/03/2023 10:44

Firthermore for English entrance an applicant has to appreciate an unseen work in the interview: quite a few people fall down here as texts are hopefully obscure enough to be very unfamiliar. So in a way they are looking for an ability to grasp something like that quickly, as this does comprise a lot of the real Oxbridge workload.

TizerorFizz · 15/03/2023 12:18

@ThighMistress
That’s how they differentiate. It’s not having an obsession with a topic that’s rarely taught, it’s being skilled and quick enough to absorb and discuss SB unseen text. Thematic might be out of your comfort zone. How you navigate that is a vital piece of the puzzle.

ForeverbyJudyBlume · 15/03/2023 12:55

TizerorFizz · 15/03/2023 12:18

@ThighMistress
That’s how they differentiate. It’s not having an obsession with a topic that’s rarely taught, it’s being skilled and quick enough to absorb and discuss SB unseen text. Thematic might be out of your comfort zone. How you navigate that is a vital piece of the puzzle.

Exactly, a bright teenager can analyse a text – it doesn’t necessarily mean they are passionate about the subject – there seems to be confusion about passion and being analytical.

Ideally a candidate would show both qualities but the second part is actually more important in an entrance procedure. I can say my dh did brilliantly (prizes, top first the lot) at English at a very good uni- he’s a clever guy, but he never reads for pleasure, he didn’t then and since he graduated probably reads one Lee Child a year on holiday. That’s not I do no work tee hee crap - I live with him. He just applied his skills to the job in hand.

mirii · 15/03/2023 13:42

A teenager who is not a natural reader will come unstuck very quickly at Oxbridge in a subject such as English or History. They are reading several books a week and writing an essay every week which is dissected in the relevant tutorial.

mirii · 15/03/2023 14:14

When DD applied, they said the interview was (as far as possible) intended to replicate a tutorial. They sent through two (quite lengthy) papers for her to read about two days before the interview. She didn't just read those two papers though, she also read some of the literature referenced in the texts or in the bibliographies to help her understand the context of the research and opposing arguments. For this course at this college, I think it was 45 who applied for 5 places - I don't know how many were interviewed (probably most of them as this was C), but, in retrospect, I think it's possible they were looking for students who not only read what was put in front of them, but also enquired further and read around the articles. They asked her to summarise each paper initially and then the questions went from there.

She also had a general interview with a senior admissions tutor who taught a related subject. This was all about the PS. She talked about her EPQ and how this research sparked the concept for another essay which she had published (the tutor said he would be off to read it) and how this, in turn, led her to enter an essay competition where she had won a prize. She talked about overseas voluntary work she was doing in her gap year which was relevant to the course. She talked about money she had raised and other voluntary work and how she could contribute in a similar sphere at the college. She really enjoyed both interviews.

She was applying post A-level with all 9s at GCSE, three A stars and A star EPQ. Most people in her course have similar. She has a friend who got in for English and has written fiction books. Another friend who got in for MFL had started some kind of interactive language website. Lots of them have done things like this, over and above A-level and it's not at all unusual to apply post A-level.

ChristinaAlber · 15/03/2023 22:36

No skin in this game. But I think it’s hilarious people with successful children are joining in a rejects thread to insist ONLY passionate geniuses can make the cut and the system is foolproof. Sorry rejected lot but your dc just weren’t as marvellous as ours. Maybe just think about how you sound?

Original poster
Rejects · 16/03/2023 09:06

😂I'd agree this was supposed to be a thread for commiseration and support as the "rejects" gang waited to find out where their dc would now end up and processed disappointment - with many stories of one twin succeeding another not, someone's gf getting in and them not, bffs getting in and so on and on. We left the Oxbridge thread so as not to spoil the celebratory mood. So it's not terribly thoughtful for people to come on here insisting that only the utterly brilliant make it to Oxbridge, the system is foolproof and what were we even thinking of ... At least we've been told!

OP posts:
ACJane · 16/03/2023 09:36

I bet there are plenty of people on this thread who could write a post about their dc and their interview prep along the lines of Mirii's but with a different outcome at the end of the application.

Mirii, all your story proves is that your dc is passionate and went the extra mile and got an offer, not that this type of applicant and prep gets in and less thorough/passionate/diligent ones do not.
One anecdote does not make a pattern.

RecommendedForYou · 16/03/2023 11:39

mirii · 15/03/2023 14:14

When DD applied, they said the interview was (as far as possible) intended to replicate a tutorial. They sent through two (quite lengthy) papers for her to read about two days before the interview. She didn't just read those two papers though, she also read some of the literature referenced in the texts or in the bibliographies to help her understand the context of the research and opposing arguments. For this course at this college, I think it was 45 who applied for 5 places - I don't know how many were interviewed (probably most of them as this was C), but, in retrospect, I think it's possible they were looking for students who not only read what was put in front of them, but also enquired further and read around the articles. They asked her to summarise each paper initially and then the questions went from there.

She also had a general interview with a senior admissions tutor who taught a related subject. This was all about the PS. She talked about her EPQ and how this research sparked the concept for another essay which she had published (the tutor said he would be off to read it) and how this, in turn, led her to enter an essay competition where she had won a prize. She talked about overseas voluntary work she was doing in her gap year which was relevant to the course. She talked about money she had raised and other voluntary work and how she could contribute in a similar sphere at the college. She really enjoyed both interviews.

She was applying post A-level with all 9s at GCSE, three A stars and A star EPQ. Most people in her course have similar. She has a friend who got in for English and has written fiction books. Another friend who got in for MFL had started some kind of interactive language website. Lots of them have done things like this, over and above A-level and it's not at all unusual to apply post A-level.

This is such a tone-deaf response on a thread like this.

I have been reading the thread but didn’t post as I have had one reject and one not so didn’t want to appear annoying. Your kind of post is just really not needed here.

mirii · 16/03/2023 11:58

I do sincerely apologise for my post and I understand what people are saying. I genuinely don't think students at Oxbridge got there because they are 'passionate' about their subjects. This was not my point at all and I'm sorry if it came across like that.

It stands to reason that students at C or O are the same as students anywhere else with similar academic profiles. They are not special and very, very few will be 'geniuses.'

The selection process (particularly at C where it is more college-based) is very opaque and imperfect. I do think it is misleading when they advertise courses at A star A, A because people will naturally think that if they have all A stars they have a very good chance. This will obviously lead to a lot of disappointment. The fact is, anybody with A star A, A would easily cope at Oxbridge - as long as they are realistic that it will involve reading more than Sparks notes! I was trying to point out that it's not 'being passionate' that can be realistically gauged in an interview. But if they can feasibly do something 'extra' it may just make a difference. Also, applicants may well up against post A-level students and I think this doesn't get taken into account enough. The system is not fair at all and far from standardised at C.

Original poster
Rejects · 16/03/2023 16:43

Thanks for your apology, it's gracious and appreciated. It's not just you, a few people on here get very indignant at the idea the Oxbridge procedure is anything but perfect and requires special qualities not shared with most mortals - those people uncoincidentally tend to have successful offspring.

OP posts:
yoyo1234 · 16/03/2023 17:30

@Aurea so pleased they've got a very well deserved offer. @FriendlyLaundryMonster has your DC got great news to report?

yoyo1234 · 16/03/2023 17:31

@Rejects any news for your DC offers wise?

Aurea · 16/03/2023 20:19

Thanks yo-yo and all

It feels like a great weight has been lifted with his long-awaited decent offer.

FriendlyLaundryMonster · 16/03/2023 20:57

@yoyo1234 Ds has an offer from Imperial on the MEng CompSci, which he’s delighted with!

yoyo1234 · 16/03/2023 21:37

Brilliant news. 👏 compsci seems a complete mine field to get into.😁

TizerorFizz · 17/03/2023 08:07

@yoyo1234
Only at the very top end! There are other slightly less elite universities.