Oxbridge 2024 Entry

[Lightsabre]

Thought I'd start a thread for parents of dc considering Oxbridge applications for entry in Oct 2024 (I don't think there's a current one)? Past threads have been so informative and supportive and hopefully this thread will offer that too. Please feel free to add to the thread if your dc have recently had experience of the process, good, bad or ugly!

I'm genuinely not trying to put anyone off, but if you get into Oxbridge, supervisions/tutorials will be daunting. You will have to work really hard to keep up. However, there is time to enjoy yourself and do other things. DD had 2 academics interview her in 2 separate interviews, so 4 in total. There could be more if they were training or standardising.

Before DD1 got her A level results, we visited the college which made her an offer. A lad from the year above her at school met us briefly and his advice as a fellow STEM student was that you could fit in 2 extracurriculars but not 3. DD managed that during her undergrad and Masters but varied the activities each year. It didn't do her any harm at all as she achieved a First every year but has sung in a college chapel choir, played in an orchestra, played football, rowed, coxed and danced alongside at various different times.

@Delphigirl good for your DD looking at the course in detail. Oxbridge has their own way of doing things which isn't right for all, however, bright they are. One thing to bear in mind is that if she goes elsewhere, she could always apply for a Masters at Oxford. @Undecidedat46 the medicine course at Oxford is quite different from other places as the first 3 years are "classroom"-based before they get any clinical practice. I have taught a number of people who have gone on to study Medicine and whilst Oxbridge has been amazing for some, it definitely is not for all.

My son attended a History Taster afternoon at Oxford a couple of weeks ago which included a live demonstration interview - “daunting” was the word he used to describe it too! The only consolation he took was that the current student taking part was stumped at times.

Very much concentrating on revision for Y12 exams starting the week after half-term. They will be the key determinant for grade predictions although there may be some upward wriggle room. 🤞he won’t need it.

We are waiting to hear back about a 2-day residential, but not expecting the news to be positive. He has got places on Lumina (Harrow School - online) and Eton summer school (in person non-residential) coming up at the end of term. He could also have taken part in a scheme run by St Paul’s school - but decided that would be a bit too much. Successful or not, he will certainly not be able to say he was underprepared.

He’s decided not to go to open days as he doesn’t think he will get much out of them as they sound busy and he may get overwhelmed (ASD). Offer days are likely to be better for him.

@Malbecfan thanks and that’s a v good point about post grad study.
The process of really drilling down into the courses one by one was very helpful in terms of bringing clarity to what she is looking for. Highly recommend!

I did this from 2013-20. Very little has changed in that time in humanities. Happy to discuss further if that would help.

@10ppicnmix

Thanks @Malbecfan - she’s going to book herself on one of the open days coming up so hopefully that will help her understand the course a bit more

@Jaxx I’m guessing your DS knows about the HAT. I was just talking to my DS today (second year history Oxford) about how important it was for him to practice for the HAT. It is the main factor in the selection of the short listed candidates for interview, and if you aren’t familiar with the format you may struggle. The History faculty has lots of information about the HAT and plenty of past papers to practice:
https://www.history.ox.ac.uk/history-admissions-test-hat

DS went to a comprehensive state school that doesn’t coach students for Oxbridge, so he did every past paper available, and went through the marking scheme for each one in detail. He also said that, looking back, it was really useful practice for his degree.

Best of luck to your DS and all others thinking of History at Oxford!

@LaundryFairy Thank you, he plans to apply to Cambridge rather than Oxford, but he is aware of the assessment tests. He’s fortunate, his school has a very strong History Department, which has seen some success in Oxbridge Admissions even though it is state and not particularly selective . They run a History Scholars lunchtime club where they look at and discuss different sources. My understanding is this will develop into more formal aptitude test prep next academic year.

Oh gosh this thread has got going already. My DD has offer from Cambridge for September but a lot of disappointed people at her school and some of it got very nasty with pupil rivalry and disappointed/frustrated people including some very able people who didn't even get an interview. In quite a few cases it was clear that the kids were obsessed to an unhealthy extent and part of that was the parents being even more obsessed and having huge expectations resulting in a lot of pressure. In one case both parents had been to Oxbridge and they were arranging mock interviews for her and drafting her PS around the equivalent time to you all. She didn't even get an interview and effected her very badly. So my number one advice is of course gather information and prepare but also don't go overboard as most kids are not going to get in and a large number won't even get an interview (and that includes children with stellar GCSE results)

Thank you @Hertsessex - a sober reminder of the process. We're looking forward to the open days for other universities too.

There's a thread at the moment on here that's interesting regarding grad schemes going to those with firsts/2.1's from wherever the institution and how hard it is to get that top grade at Oxbridge as opposed to a less intense academic environment (although it still seems some institutions still target Oxbridge). Gave us something to think about.

Hi there, joining as DS2 is considering Oxbridge - probably Oxford - for languages. He’s not hugely invested in the process though thank goodness - partly coz DS1 is there and he knows how hard they work! We’ve just booked into open days for Lancaster and Newcastle so far…

@Hertsessex, it can be difficult for DC (and their parents) to fathom why someone does/doesn’t get an offer. When my DD applied for Oxford, three of her four friends received an offer and one didn’t. The friend had excellent grades and passion for her subject but it just didn’t go her way. It was such a tricky situation for the girls to navigate.

Yes I can imagine that is awkward but that is also a very unusual situation. More common might be 10 applying and perhaps 1 or 2 getting offers. 3 out of 4 getting offers is not normal but well done to them. My DD2 got an offer but DD1 didn’t even get an interview so seen both sides. I think a lot of parents do get very carried away and dangerously over-invested in Oxbridge. DD1 ended up overseas at the Oxbridge equivalent in that country and having a whale of time.

DS has done a MAT and finds it very easy so he just needs to focus on his PS as he's getting the grades he needs.

He just plans to live his life and hope for an interview when the time comes

He'll practice more MAT

How is everyone getting on? Ds mired in revision and a bit grumpy as these exams are for predicted grades.

DS had maths yesterday and said it went well. He has Further Maths and Chemistry today and Physics on Thursday. He did some revision in half term but he seems pretty laid back about it. He also did some of the STEP support foundation modules over half term, not sure if he's going to get any STEP help from college but it's great how much there is available online.

Dd is in middle of exams which will determine predicted grades: complete set of A level maths papers and then chemistry and biology Wednesday and Thursday. Yesterday was pure and stats which she said went well. She has a school trip (surfing) on Friday which will be great break from exams and revision.

Joining in case DD decides to apply; yr12 exams were pre half term but will be a few weeks until given marks and predicted grades; DD did a taster day at Oxford recently, but hasn’t seen Cambridge yet. Other choices currently incl Bristol and Durham but again needs to go on some visits over the holidays

Good luck to your dc @ShanghaiDiva and @IThinkIMadeItWorse - STEP and full A level papers sound very hard. Ds exams seem to be more AS focused as they haven't covered the full syllabus for either maths or FM yet. I think a lot of schools seem to do maths AL in Yr 12 and FM in Yr 13 which seems to make sense.

I think ds has a session on entrance exams soon but there isn't a lot of support for NSAA - I think they focus more on Step/Engaa/TMUA/MAT although I think some of these might also be useful practise.

Welcome @Headingto18! Hope your dd enjoys the open days.

DS gets his predicted grades tomorrow is that the same for everyone?

He's taken 2 maths exams so far for his A Level which they do in Yr 12 and the final one on Tuesday. He says it's fine and expects A* because he found it easy.

He's chosen pure maths as his specialty for FM for Yr 13. He says most have chosen mechanical / stats maths.

Not sure when DD gets her predicted grades yet but won’t be today as they don’t have year 12 exams until the week after next.

Mine has been told predicted grades, subject to end of year exams going well (or not screwing up)

They were told this so they could start looking at courses & Uni visits but I'm not sure they get formal grades until start of Yr13.