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!

@Walkaround goodbye has answered your question.

@Unbelievablysunny I have no advice for you, but it's a horrid position for you to be in. It sounds to me like this girl should prioritise her MH above her studies.

Did anyone go to the Oxbridge open days today? Just wondering if they were any quieter than the June ones? Were they doing subject talks?

Just finishing up in Oxford now - we thought it was quieter than in June and yes, they were doing subject talks.

We have just arrived home from it - missed turnoff added 20 miles to the journey. No idea if it was busier or not as didn't go to any other one. No subject talks - they certainly weren't advertised though I did notice that Pembroke had a few subjects listed when we arrived as 'stands', so no talks as such there and we probably arrived too late fue the stands (1pm) as I didn't see those either!
It was busy and hot. We never made it to Jesus but my daughter seems pretty sold on Newnham now. Corpus Christi was just too small with minimal outside discs (and no walking on the grass), Pembroke was lovely though. Kings as you expect and we just saw the outside of Selwyn as hungry stomachs were rumbling!

DD4 helps at her Oxford college and says that in June her college had seven thousand prospective applicants visit across the two days and this week it was nearer three thousand for the single day. The Sept day is targeted at current/ new Y12s, so not surprising that it's a bit quieter than when they'll have uni applications much more to the fore in the summer. It's not intended for current Y13s (although obv no ban!).

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but The Times has published their good university guide at the weekend. St Andrews is placed in the top spot. Interesting stats on Oxbridge colleges and acceptance rates.

That's interesting @goodbyestranger but as it was just looking around the colleges at Cambridge that would be wasted opportunity! I would have wanted my first (and for many, only) visit to get as much info as possible - subject talks, financial stuff, admission process... was all that at the July open day? This visit last week was really just to confirm college choice, so I would have thought aimed at Y13s.
@10ppicnmix I think St A was top last year (or was on someone's league table)! Several people said the supplement wasn't included in their Times - is there a link or is it behind a paywall?

@mondaytosunday paywall I think? I subscribe online so I don’t know really.? My app is also up the pole so I can’t link as for some reason my homepage has changed 😩Verified Students can access the Times for £9.99 per year though (not £26pcm!) so if you have a student in your household it might be worth getting them to subscribe?

Hello all 👋Hope someone can share any info they have about Cambridge TMUA paper to get into their CS degree course. My son (Year 13) only decided to aim for Cambridge 2 months ago and as such only started revising for TMUA test recently. Test date is 18th Oct so exactly a month away. He's going through past papers and results have been mixed. He's got top 6%, 25%, 15%, and 4%. Anyone here has/knows kids who's got in with what % grade that you can share? Thank you 😊

@GiangN , sorry o don't know about TMUA but The Student Room forum has loads of stuff on how to prepare and there's usually an annual thread on it.

Oh that is great to know - thank you very much @Lightsabre

Hi @GiangN my DS isn't doing the TMUA but the MAT as he wants to apply for Maths at Oxford. What we have gathered for the MAT, there isn't a set % or ranking that will get you an interview. It will depend on various factors such as it you are a UK or Overseas student, the type of secondary school you attended, and any contextual add on factors (free school meals, looked after/been in care, area with low progression to high education etc). Of course if you are one of the very best ones in the exam, whatever other criteria are or aren't there won't matter as all those will get interviews! For the MAT the average score to get an offer is published. Sorry, it may not help you at all as I know nothing of the Cambridge selection system and how much widening participation affects applications there.

Just a reminder, new thread is here;

Oxbridge 2024 Entry Part 2 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4894997-oxbridge-2024-entry-part-2

Thank you @mushroom3 that is useful to know.