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!

Hi there, I’ve just posted on a new thread that Cambridge are offering a new course from 2024. It’s v exciting (to me!) as Oxbridge rarely create new courses from scratch.

Anyway, it’s Design and here is a link

www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjy3IXwxcX9AhWLTUEAHTGZBXEQFnoECAwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cam.ac.uk%2Fnews%2Fbrand-new-design-tripos-brings-arts-and-science-together-in-one-degree&usg=AOvVaw0XVn03PVF4J7JO-5QYeyV1

My son is hoping to apply for history at Cambridge for 2024 entry.

His school have been running a lunch time club for early applicants since the start of the year where they are being strongly advised to get as much super curriculum stuff in this term so they can concentrate on their end of years exams after Easter as these are what they base their grade predictions. It isn’t a particularly selective sixth form (5 x 6’s plus 5’s in Maths and English), but there a a 30+ kids in the group so it is nice that so many have high aspirations. There is also a weekly lunch time club for students wishing to do History at any university where they discuss sources which he really enjoys.

So far he has entered an essay competition and attended a largely student led link scheme online at a Cambridge college - the main benefit of which was for him to see that Cambridge students are actually quite normal! He has signed up for a couple more masterclass/taster programs which will take place in then next few weeks, but then his preparation is likely to be mainly reading.

it is his first choice, but he is quite keen on some of his other university choices as well so hopefully he will be OK no matter what the outcome. He was absolutely gutted when he got rejected before interview at his first choice secondary school and it was horrible to go through - but he got over it and all turned out for the best.

@WakingFromTheDream Try this.

Applications need to be made by a teacher, but my son just emailed his head of department and he has been put forward to the history one.

I'd encourage Oxford rather than Cambridge for Maths. The applicants sit the MAT before offers are made so the focus then is on A Levels. Cambridge applicants sit STEP at the same time as A Levels. So you can get 4 A*s and still not get in at the last minute. It is brutal. Oxford applicants are rejected earlier so can choose an alternative first choice.

Yes, I agree @whiteroseredrose the Oxford/MAT system is better. I'm glad that DS is veering towards Oxford (even though I know his chances are small) . I can't remember what website it is that you put in predicted grades and the course/uni and it gives you the % chance of an offer. I remember my older DC doing this.

@Livinghappy it's tough knowing what's best, I do think my DS is moving more towards Oxford as he prefers the course offering there.

Yes the STEP Maths at the last minute for Cambridge is brutal as the pass rate is just 50%.

Sarahjanepostgrsd - that new course at Cambridge looks great. I wonder what A-level combos they would be looking for?

@elia3, the website states A Level maths as the only requirement for all colleges. Individual colleges might specify further requirements but I haven't looked further.

DD is a 2023 Cambridge offer holder (conditional). Top tip would be to enter essay writing competitions. I see someone has mentioned them already. They do them for sciences too. DD won one set by the college she ended up applying to and getting the offer from and I do think really helped her chances. She did find the ethos of the college suits her too and so it was fortunate co-incidence. Of course you don’t have to apply to the college that sets the essay but by then they know your name, when she went to the open day and gave her name they said ‘oh yes, we know you, congratulations on a brilliant essay’.

It may seem obvious but the other tip is real passion for the subject of study. I have seen passion for the money or the careers or the Oxbridge label but demonstrable passion for the subject is key.

Most colleges have bursaries for low income families that would often equate to a part time job income. Also you can often do jobs for the college or university, for example the student ‘ambassador’ showing DD round the college on her offer holder day was being paid for doing so. DD will be working in the summer to get some funds and as the terms are short and she can get college accommodation for all three years and just pay for the weeks she is there it will actually be cheaper than most other universities. She just needs to get the grades now which she is completely capable of but it can just take a bad day…all things crossed.

That Design tripos sounds brilliant. Can I knock several years [and a degree] off DS's age so he can have a go at it?

Thanks for this thread. My DS is considering natural science at Cambridge. He’s currently doing biology maths and chemistry at a grammar school. We’ve been looking for any summer courses but they’re mainly widening participation and understandably he doesn’t qualify. He’s now got a bit worried as he didn’t do further maths l, although I think that would be more essential if taking more physics topics in NatSci rather than biology which is the area he is more leaning to.
he did the chemistry Olympiad this year and his teacher said he should get a gold but if not definitely silver. But he’s not really done anything else extra curricular.

Lancaster is closer to us and also does a natsci course so we will look at that too.

Welcome to all and sounds like we have a good spread of courses on the thread. Thanks for all of the tips and the essay competition suggestion - we hadn't thought of that. Ds is getting a bit overwhelmed with upcoming tests and his Biology AS mock is just before the holidays. He has also applied for a virtual work experience programme but they interview so he'll have to wait to see if he'll be shortlisted. Unfortunately our wi-fi went down yesterday so he had to complete the application on his phone which took ages.

I also think he's a bit stressed as they get their pre predicted grades today ie; if you work hard you should get these grades. It will help with choosing courses/which open days to attend I suppose.

@LoveTurnips , has your DS considered getting in touch with a local university to ask if he can shadow a phd student in the holidays? DD arranged to do this with our nearest university during the summer holidays after lower sixth. The department were really helpful and gave her a choice of research projects to shadow. It gave her some interesting stuff to put in her PS alongside the Biology Olympiad, wider reading etc and she was asked about in one of her interviews. (She graduated last year from Oxford from the four year MBiol.)
Good luck to your DS with his pre predicted grades.

The good luck was intended for @Lightsabre's DS but good luck of course to all DC awaiting such grades

Thanks @ofteninaspin and that's a great idea re; PHD shadowing. I'll suggest this to ds.

For those at state schools can I recommend OxbridgeLaunchpad.Com?

It is a free mentoring service that DD used when she applied. You are paired with a 2nd year student studying 'your' subject as a mentor.

DD's mentor read through her personal statement and gave her tips on what to lose and what to emphasise. She also gave her two mock interviews so that she was prepared.

We've been on and off the Oxbridge bus but we are now firmly back!

She wants to do either Maths or Natural Sciences at Cambridge. A Levels: Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Business. Current suggestions would be that she's looking at AAAB for predicted grades.

I'm worried that she won't fit in / feel comfortable as we are single parent and northern. She's worried that applying will take study time away and result in lower grades.

But it's always been her dream so here we are!

@whiteroseredrose that oxfordlaunchpad looks great. Unfortunately for us though it groups grammar schools with independent schools, and doesn’t classify them as a state school. But I guess they have to manage demand.

Applying to Oxbridge is perfectly manageable alongside three or four A levels and whatever else your DC normally do (socialising, a weekend job, competitive sport, music commitments etc etc). There really isn't too much extra stuff to do. Everyone (currently) has to write a PS and the early deadline means Oxbridge applicants get it out of the way early too. They'll already be reading beyond their A level curriculums and admissions test practice is limited to the test papers available. DD didn't have an admissions test for her subject and DS sat the TSA. He enjoyed doing past papers as it was a bit different from his A levels. The interviews required a a day or two off school (back when my DC applied) and the whole thing is done and dusted before Christmas.

@LoveTurnips DD went to a state Grammar school. They recommended Oxbridge Launchpad. Maybe it has changed.

@whiteroseredrose thanks. That’s useful to know. I had a quick look and you had to either select state school or grammar/independent. They did ask the school name so maybe they can cross check that way. I do understand though as I would imagine that demand is very high and you could argue generally that grammar schools are very successful at getting their pupils to oxbridge

I’ve seen oxbridge summer schools that are privately run, charging several thousand pounds. And then there are the Sutton Trust courses which are free to those who meet widening participation criteria. I’m just struggling to find something in the middle. But this thread has certainly given my DS some ideas to follow up

Theres plenty of oxbridge students who are northern and/or have single parents. That really shouldn't be an issue.
However, those predicted grades don't really match up to the Cambridge 'typical offers' for NatSci or maths...afaik two Astars and an A are pretty much the minimum for those courses... students taking 4 subjects quite often get an offer of two Astars and two As - or higher! If the predicted B is for the business studies she might want to consider dropping it and trying to up those grades. (And as mentioned earlier, Cambridge maths requires STEP - does her school help,with that?)

Sixth form are being really helpful, they've already taken her on a visit to both Oxford and Cambridge as she was top in the year for GCSE results. They're very keen that she applies and is being encouraged to do so by most of the teachers. She's done past papers (if that's the right term) and gets very good marks.

She's currently got an ongoing complaint regarding her maths teacher for the A A prediction - she's top of the class in every test, but keeps being given an A for every result, whereas the boys in the class scoring ~10% lower keep getting A* and he keeps telling her that she's not good enough for FM, despite some boys getting D/E and being allowed to continue with FM.

She's currently got an ongoing complaint regarding her maths teacher for the A A prediction - she's top of the class in every test, but keeps being given an A for every result, whereas the boys in the class scoring ~10% lower keep getting A* and he keeps telling her that she's not good enough for FM, despite some boys getting D/E and being allowed to continue with FM.

Bloody hell. That's beyond appalling.

daffodilandtulip - Errol is correct that she will need at least two A stars to make a realistic application for Nat Sci (and FM for a Maths application). The reality is the vast majority of successful applicants will have three or four A stars. The school should not be predicting her As and a B and then encouraging her to apply. I really hope she gets the predictions sorted.