Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Oxbridge 2024 Entry Part 2

973 replies

Lightsabre · 12/09/2023 22:43

Continuation thread (when old one is full) for those supporting dc through Oxbridge applications. All welcome as we enter the next phase.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Rollergirl11 · 10/10/2023 16:15

DD is a bit miffed; she submitted her application on Sunday straight after the Warwick open day because college said it had to be in asap. Now UCAS lady wants a meeting for one final go thorough before college submit but not until Friday. Seems like it’s cutting it quite fine with the deadline on the following Monday. I’m sure it will be fine but DD just desperately wants it done and dusted now.

Newgirls · 10/10/2023 16:19

Don’t they still have to send essays and coursework in? Not sure dd has done that yet? Is that at the same time as hearing about an interview?

Newgirls · 10/10/2023 16:24

Thanks to those who posted the link to the interview dates.

I am surprised to hear that college and dept dates are almost a week apart. Are they all in person?

stoneysongs · 10/10/2023 17:03

Newgirls · 10/10/2023 16:24

Thanks to those who posted the link to the interview dates.

I am surprised to hear that college and dept dates are almost a week apart. Are they all in person?

Oxford interviews are all online, for Cambridge it depends on the college.

Original poster
Lightsabre · 10/10/2023 17:07

Very useful links, thank you for posting and for sharing your experience @Hertsessex. It is a bit of a nail biting time but I'm glad they let you know fairly quickly if you're not shortlisted for interview. It will help to 'move on' from the experience.

OP posts:
Newgirls · 10/10/2023 17:08

Thanks that makes sense! Will they not get to visit the college then? We missed the open days

Hertsessex · 10/10/2023 17:19

Lightsabre · 10/10/2023 17:07

Very useful links, thank you for posting and for sharing your experience @Hertsessex. It is a bit of a nail biting time but I'm glad they let you know fairly quickly if you're not shortlisted for interview. It will help to 'move on' from the experience.

Some seem to find out quickly and some late on. Really depends. Would be much better if decisions all went out on same day but guess it’s complicated to organise.

Headingto18 · 10/10/2023 17:23

I think 10/11 foe
most O courses but do check!

goodbyestranger · 10/10/2023 17:34

In terms of notification for Oxford interviews, it’s been the case for a long while that a few subjects notify mid November - the subjects with no pre-test - and the rest are generally ten or so days ahead of the interview date. There always seem to be a very small number of honourable exceptions to that rule eg two of my DSs only got five days notice of their History interviews (and these were in person not online).

goodbyestranger · 10/10/2023 17:35

Cambridge is different.

goodbyestranger · 10/10/2023 17:37

Oxford lets those deselected know at the same time as those shortlisted.

Headingto18 · 10/10/2023 18:15

My post was about date for work to be submitted for O, not interview news - sorry if i confused anyone!

Newgirls · 10/10/2023 18:20

Thanks so they send work in by 10 nov so before the interviews. Makes sense so they can talk about it! But possibly not read it before they decide who to interview?

goodbyestranger · 10/10/2023 18:35

No the essays form part of the shortlisting decision process.

Newgirls · 10/10/2023 18:40

Ok thanks 🙏

mondaytosunday · 10/10/2023 18:57

It will be SAQs for Cambridge applicants next. - do you do another shorter 1200 character PS or not?
My daughter has three A star grades in hand so I believe automatically gets an interview (and pooled if not offered by her college).
I tell you it was like the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulders this afternoon! Scored a cool black short trenchcoat at Oxfam too! I think she's crossed Exeter off now - Head said why apply if you don't want to go? But added Edinburgh (decided flying makes it within the three hour limit). Hasn't actually put the others on the form though.

mondaytosunday · 10/10/2023 19:02

Despite sober October I've opened up a bottle of wine to cope- also my sister is here from the US which in itself requires some alcohol reinforcement (she doesn't drink herself). This Christmas (abroad for first time since covid) will be such a welcome relief with everything done. DD has already said she's at college for decision day and will wait til she's home to look as if it's bad news she won't want to go in.

NoNoNoNotMe · 10/10/2023 19:09

@mondaytosunday

My daughter has three A star grades in hand so I believe automatically gets an interview (and pooled if not offered by her college).

I hadn’t heard that, but could very well be out-of-date. Where did you get that information?

FebuarySmith · 10/10/2023 19:14

NoNoNoNotMe · 10/10/2023 19:09

@mondaytosunday

My daughter has three A star grades in hand so I believe automatically gets an interview (and pooled if not offered by her college).

I hadn’t heard that, but could very well be out-of-date. Where did you get that information?

I haven’t seen that anywhere.

FebuarySmith · 10/10/2023 19:36

Although daughter is not applying to Cambridge so I have not looked into it much. It may well be the case that interviews/pooling is guaranteed.

Panicmode1 · 10/10/2023 20:39

I don't think pooling is guaranteed because surely it would depend on your interview performance? (I hadn't seen anything about 3A* getting an automatic interview either - I thought that was something Labour were talking about...but happy to stand corrected.)

One thing DS has had to adjust to was having been the top of his classes with 2 or 3 boys throughout school and having won an award for overall best A level results in his (superselective) grammar, he is mid table in the course cohort, albeit top third in his college.

Jaxx · 10/10/2023 20:48

Though my son has yet to sit his A levels - I knew I had read about compulsory pooling somewhere so had a quick search.

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7389416

Compulsory pooling at Cambridge? - The Student Room

https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7389416

Panicmode1 · 10/10/2023 21:02

Doesn't look from that as though there is a definitive answer!

lifeturnsonadime · 10/10/2023 21:11

@mondaytosunday what is your DD up to this year then? If she has her grades in hand is she enjoying her gap year?

That sounds like a good way to do it, so sorry you are still feeling stressed out. Does she have a plan B just in case?

Jaxx · 10/10/2023 21:15

@Panicmode1 my son is doing some admission test prep with SPGS - he has had thar reality check early!