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!

@lifeturnsonadime

Quick question about the HAT for anyone who might know, is it organised by school? Does it take place at school?

for DD's application process which included an assessment (not HAT but a Cambridge specific English Lit test) that was all handled via the college with clear instructions. The school acted as the test location as it was online. One college did in person interviews, but all the rest (DD's included, were online). They started putting up a list of the test and interview dates on the college undergraduate page shortly after the application deadline so that you knew likely dates as whilst they said they would aim to give at least two weeks notice it was really reassuring to have an idea. I didn't stalk other college websites so assume others are similar.

Do they have access arrangements like the 25% extra time that he get's for other exams due to dyslexia?

Cambridge had an additional form that had to be filled in within a week (IIRC) after submission deadline, so roughly end of October and on that you could explain if you think you should have extra consideration e.g. didn't have a teacher for two terms etc, but there was also a separate form for "Disability Adjustments and Allowances at Interview". Looking on the 'examination access arrangements' page for Cambridge it says "Exam access arrangements are based on medical evidence, or on a current full diagnostic report written by an Educational Psychologist or Specialist Teacher." then for Dyslexia it says "you must have a current diagnostic assessment report as evidence for obtaining appropriate adjustments." and goes onto give contact details for the accessibility resource centre.

Thanks @Jaxx & @PettsWoodParadise really helpful. I've emailed the college to ask his personal tutor and the SENCO for advice. He has an EHCP and has a full dyslexia report from year 11 so hopefully no further evidence of extra time is required.

Jaxx I'm off to look at those links. He is really wavering at the moment. It's almost like he's feeling a sense of imposter syndrome.

The main reason being that he was so ill for so many years that he hasn't done the extra curricular that he knows others have done such as DofE for example. Hopefully he won't let his self doubts of worthiness put him off having a go but on the other hand I don't want him to feel any pressure.

@lifeturnsonadime

Please reassure him that extracurriculars are not needed for Oxford. It is all about super curricula stuff, which in addition to competitions includes reading relevant books, watching documentaries, Moocs, podcasts etc. There are also loads of master classes and taster lectures on line post Covid, which may help to inspire an interest into something he wants to look into further.

I think over the summer, he could build evidence for a great personal statement. It is more about depth than breadth, so only need 2 or 3 things. For my son, he has used his special interests as inspiration, which has helped greatly and we know he will happily talk about them if he gets to interview stage.

I have a list of useful links sent to my son after a History taster afternoon at Oxford that I am happy to send to you if you dm me (the links don’t copy and paste here - I did try!).

Imposter syndrome is quite normal - my son has it in spades - they may not get in, but if you have the interests and the grades it is worth having a go!

lifeturnsonadime three of my DC read History at Oxford. Yes, the HAT is taken at school but your DS must make sure that his application is submitted in time (towards the end of Sept from memory but it's all on the Oxford website).

How did he do in GSCEs? If he underperformed then his college will need to make a clear case for him at Oxford where GCSEs are more important in admissions terms than they are at Cambridge. Even if he scores extremely well in the HAT he may need some help with explaining sub par GCSEs. Perhaps they weren't sub par! In which case apologies :)

If it's of interest, none of my three DC entered any of the History essay competitions beloved of the independent schools and MN. They certainly read and were genuinely interested in particular areas which weren't on the A level spec but nothing particularly 'supracurricular', so don't worry on that score. He will need strong GCSEs (or an explanation as to why they don't reflect his ability) and a strong HAT. But the HAT is exactly that - a test to assess aptitude. Once at interview, that's what they're testing again. To a large extent you either have it or you don't and certainly he shouldn't go to the interview expecting them to grill him on any particular interests mentioned in his personal statement. They might (in the case of my DD they did, but her personal statement was very unusual tbh) but both DSs simply had set sources to comment on and no mention at any stage of their personal statements.

DD4 is helping at the Open Days this week (different subject). The student helpers are very approachable and you can ask them literally anything with none of the concerns that you might have asking a tutor. They will be (or should be - I know DD is) extremely honest.

Anyone at the Oxford open days this week? I've been surprised at the difference in approach to the open days between O and C. C have put lots of advanced information out there several weeks in advance including webinars about what to expect on the day. O only seem to be putting stuff out on the past week (unless I've missed something ?).

Yes, we're going to Oxford on Thursday and had an email a week ago with details of all the events. We're away for the Cambridge one unfortunately, as it now looks like a better bet for DD. May have to try and make it to the one in September.

Thanks, yes his GCSEs were under par due to having no schooling for the entire secondary and mental health issues due to undiagnosed SEN.

It is interesting that you say that GCSEs are taken more into consideration at Oxford than Cambridge, when I looked at their admission criteria it didn't look like that but maybe I've misinterpreted that. There will be no issue with evidence for underperformance, we have a wealth of it from medical experts. The fact that DS has achieved 3 A * in his mocks despite all of these things is an absolute credit to him.

We also need to start speaking to family members who are Oxbridge Alumni, DS's uncle and grandad both read history there.

OP there will be a significant issue with GCSEs unless that evidence is flagged. His three A* are great of course but regardless of any come hither language used on the website, those GCSEs will need explanation.

Given the struggles that some students have with mental health at Oxford and the pressure - even though your DS may well be a student who thrives - it could be a difficult balancing act to use the medical background for evidence on the one hand and yet assure a college that he's well enough to cope with the pressure and will stay the course on the other. Apologies if that sounds harsh but it will be a real concern, particularly for those tutors who may have recently had a very unwell student with a poor outcome. They'll all be well aware of the need not to discriminate on the grounds of health/ disability but in reality, it will be a factor in decision making after interview and they would view it as being about his interests as well as theirs. College choice may well be key.

I wish your DS the very best.

Thank you @goodbyestranger as I said above there will be no issue with explaining the GCSEs, the mental health issues arose as a result of unrecognised and therefore unmet needs not a generalised inability to cope. DS has far greater resilience and work ethic than many of his peers because he's had to overcome adversity that most will not face.

Obviously there are no guarantees in life but I'm as sure as can be that he has developed the self awareness and skills to avoid a recurrence of the previous issues.

@Lightsabre DS and I on our way to Oxford right now. Train is packed with students. I think it's going to be a busy full on day.

We're off to Oxford tomorrow. I have no idea yet which colleges we will visit. The school has helpfully put on the mocks exactly when all the open days are on, so the visit is flanked by exams either side!

DS and I are going tomorrow too.

Does anyone have a list of events? We have registered but haven't received an email setting them out. I know the subject talk is at 9.30 which means a v. early start for us.

I'm not sure how best to tackle the college visits either.

What a pain about your DCs mocks being the same week!

@lifeturnsonadime I found the subject related talks by looking at the university website and search for the subject and open day. There doesn't seem to be any booking system for the talks.

Thanks, I couldn't find a booking system either so it's reassuring that I haven't missed anything.

@lifeturnsonadime

This page has links to the timetables for each department and college. I made a little spreadsheet (any excuse for a spreadsheet ) of everything DD wanted to go to and then figured out how much of it is possible and what the top priorities are.

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/open-days-and-visits

I think some things might need to be booked, but not many, and it tells you on the website.

Thanks @singingstones , that's really helpful.

DS is currently in his 3rd Maths talk none of which were booked.

@singingstones we also made a spreadsheet but I helpfully forgot to download it from my PC so currently working from memory and the websites.

We have prioritised the subject talks and the picked a college which is halfway between the Maths building and the information centre.

All my careful planning may go out the window as DS has met someone from his College group who are here on an organised trip.

I would try to see as many colleges as possible even for a quick pop in. Some just feel right and some just feel wrong. And don't just mean physically. There is something about the whole atmosphere as to how open days are organised, teaching staff, students etc. Did the Cambridge open day with DD2 last year and didn't bother with subject talks. Just went to lots of colleges and ended up in one having a long chat with the HSPS tutor responsible for admissions. It was worth more than a big subject meeting and my daughter left very motivated and feeling it was the college for her. Some others she had liked on paper just didn't feel right when she saw in person.

Haha @Mumski45 good luck!
I have just printed mine off for tomorrow. We have 3 x departmental subject talks, 2 x college subject talks and 2 x college tours planned. (DD still has much to decide.)

How is Oxford, is it rammed or not too bad?

The maths building is busy but not rammed. Not sure about the rest of Oxford yet as this is our first stop. Going to head off to a college after lunch.

I hope you all enjoy Oxford open day today and tomorrow.
We are signed up to the Cambridge open day next week but don’t appear to have received a programme for the day. Have others received this yet? It said it would be sent by email mid June. Many thanks.

The centre of Oxford and Balliol College is very busy. Left DS in a talk but it was too busy for guests to join so having an hour to myself.

So many fresh faced teens in oxford today! I’m relieved the temp has dropped and although a bit overcast it is probably much more comfortable than earlier this week. Enjoy!

My daughter is on a UNIQ course next week at Oxford so decided not to do open days. Can’t wait to see what college she gets to stay in. I think it might be Keble as links to our area.