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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:
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6
Original poster
Lightsabre · 21/10/2023 11:00

@lifeturnsonadime, looking at last years thread, it's around the third week in November onwards.

OP posts:
Silkiefloof · 21/10/2023 11:00

DD said for hers at Oxford it's December she will hear if an interview, interview about a week later but results from TSA not given out until Jan. Though she has been comparing answers with others and thinks 100% on maths ones and non maths people struggled to remember. Hers would be in college. She is worried about not getting an interview but confident about an interview. I would have thought she would get an interview though it's only 5% acceptance rate but she has 3 A stars predicted, very strong GCSE results, Olympiads, and my cancer and her brother's hospitalisation and state school. And believes TSA went well, she said her school did a test one and she got highest in class. Though was on about getting another job whereas she needs to focus on A levels now, loves money and Vinted too much. 😂

Redhotchillipeppers · 21/10/2023 11:02

For Cambridge applicants will be informed of interviews dates week commencing 20th November; week after for medicine. Offers will be made Wednesday 24th January at the same time for everyone.

Silkiefloof · 21/10/2023 11:06

It says on Oxford Uni website it's mid Nov to early Dec send out invite to interview. I do remember mine was very short notice and we were some distance away though they did at least offer accomodation even to my Mum who insisted on coming as well.

Rollergirl11 · 21/10/2023 11:09

In the email DD got from Cambridge college applied to it said they start sending out emails ref interviews from 2nd week in November. If you’re not invited for interview they communicate that in the 2nd half of November. Interviews take place in December.

Redhotchillipeppers · 21/10/2023 11:21

Rollergirl11 · 21/10/2023 11:09

In the email DD got from Cambridge college applied to it said they start sending out emails ref interviews from 2nd week in November. If you’re not invited for interview they communicate that in the 2nd half of November. Interviews take place in December.

It seems the dates vary a little depending on the college.

Headingto18 · 21/10/2023 11:28

Hi has anyone’s DC not heard from their selected oxford college at all yet? Not sure if DD should have (has submitted work to send but can’t until hears from them)

Silkiefloof · 21/10/2023 11:31

DD said she had an acknowledgment from Oxford via email and LSE only other one she applied for ATM a form to fill in. Oxford was pretty instant.

Rollergirl11 · 21/10/2023 11:39

Yes @Redhotchillipeppers it deffo sounds like there’s a degree of variation.

Headingto18 · 21/10/2023 12:27

@Silkiefloof thank you - yes she had the O email, just not heard from ‘her’ college and others seem to have on here

dandlmum · 21/10/2023 12:30

It says on the website you should hear around the end of October from the College you applied to (or the one you have been allocated to if you made an open application), with details for how they would like the written work submitted. They need time after the application deadline to allocate all the open applications to Colleges. My dc has only had the initial receipt email from the uni. Nothing since then. Think that’s normal.

Dummydaydream · 21/10/2023 12:44

Hi. My son took the PAT yesterday. Seems to think it went ok but who knows. Should he start preparing for an interview now? It looks like the notice period is about a week before the interview dates early December. Any advice on when to start and what to do? It might be in vain as he could very well not get an invite to interview. Thanks.

Silkiefloof · 21/10/2023 12:48

DD hasn't mentioned an email from the college yet though it can be a bit random what info is passed on. Just a general we received your application though hers went in very recently.

Redhotchillipeppers · 21/10/2023 13:44

Dummydaydream · 21/10/2023 12:44

Hi. My son took the PAT yesterday. Seems to think it went ok but who knows. Should he start preparing for an interview now? It looks like the notice period is about a week before the interview dates early December. Any advice on when to start and what to do? It might be in vain as he could very well not get an invite to interview. Thanks.

My DS have been sent information by the college which includes interview preparation so it’s probably worth taking a look when your DC receives guidance.

Silkiefloof · 21/10/2023 14:25

Not heard from college yet. Said interviews for all subjects at Oxford are online this year which I hadn't realised, shame. She said interview dates are 6, 7, 8 Dec for first and a week later roughly for second colleges. And often told just a week before. She said her subject has 18% interview rate but 30% for UK with 5% acceptance rate but 10% for UK.

13572user · 21/10/2023 18:03

Ds was ill on the day of the tsa, still did it but definitely not near the best of his ability due to this. Filled out the form online, but does anyone have any more info on how oxford approaches this, will they actually care?

PumpkinKnitter · 21/10/2023 18:29

Silkiefloof · 21/10/2023 14:25

Not heard from college yet. Said interviews for all subjects at Oxford are online this year which I hadn't realised, shame. She said interview dates are 6, 7, 8 Dec for first and a week later roughly for second colleges. And often told just a week before. She said her subject has 18% interview rate but 30% for UK with 5% acceptance rate but 10% for UK.

That is pretty much what we were told for my DD's subject (biomedical sciences) at the open day. Online interviews in December, at fairly short notice. Similar interview and acceptance rate for her course too. As DD thought the BMAT didn't go too well we are not holding our breath!

couchparsnip · 21/10/2023 23:39

I have only just found this thread. DS did the PAT yesterday for Oxford. It was all on paper so that was a relief after hearing about how the online ones went! He was pleased with how he did and thinks he's got a good chance of interview.

He's been told interviews in December if he gets one. Acceptance rate for his course is 11% so we're crossing our fingers.
He already has a couple of low offers of BB, one of which is Warwick, his 2nd choice anyway.
Good luck anyone whose child is still to take an admission test!

ofteninaspin · 22/10/2023 16:02

@13572user I don’t know how Oxford handle sickness on admission test days. DS was unwell when he sat the TSA but it was three years ago and for Cambridge. DS’s school handled the admin and sent a note from his GP. At interview his interviewer (who became his DoS) asked him about his illness so the information was definitely passed on. (DS had picked up a parasite during the summer which had decided to manifest itself the week of the test so it was an unusual interview icebreaker).
DS later found out he had performed strongly in the admissions test but it was good that his school was on top of the admin.
Good luck to your DS and I hope he is called to interview.

WobblyLondoner · 22/10/2023 18:37

ofteninaspin · 22/10/2023 16:02

@13572user I don’t know how Oxford handle sickness on admission test days. DS was unwell when he sat the TSA but it was three years ago and for Cambridge. DS’s school handled the admin and sent a note from his GP. At interview his interviewer (who became his DoS) asked him about his illness so the information was definitely passed on. (DS had picked up a parasite during the summer which had decided to manifest itself the week of the test so it was an unusual interview icebreaker).
DS later found out he had performed strongly in the admissions test but it was good that his school was on top of the admin.
Good luck to your DS and I hope he is called to interview.

For what it's worth, DS's school have contacted Oxford about his current (very difficult) family circumstances but I don't know how it factors in any decision making.

ofteninaspin · 22/10/2023 19:05

@WobblyLondoner, that’s tough for your DS. I wish him well with his application.

Silkiefloof · 22/10/2023 19:09

We have special circumstances in, DD thinks its only 2% though.

catmomof3 · 22/10/2023 19:54

My DD hasn’t heard from her college yet either, just the standard email from oxford. Her teacher scanned all her written work we are just waiting to send it now.

WobblyLondoner · 22/10/2023 22:57

ofteninaspin · 22/10/2023 19:05

@WobblyLondoner, that’s tough for your DS. I wish him well with his application.

Thank you, that's very kind of you.

PumpkinKnitter · 22/10/2023 23:20

couchparsnip · 21/10/2023 23:39

I have only just found this thread. DS did the PAT yesterday for Oxford. It was all on paper so that was a relief after hearing about how the online ones went! He was pleased with how he did and thinks he's got a good chance of interview.

He's been told interviews in December if he gets one. Acceptance rate for his course is 11% so we're crossing our fingers.
He already has a couple of low offers of BB, one of which is Warwick, his 2nd choice anyway.
Good luck anyone whose child is still to take an admission test!

Good luck to your DS in getting an interview! It’s great that he already has a good offer to fall back on. My DD has an ABB offer from Bristol, which is her third choice after Oxford and Edinburgh. It takes a lot of the pressure off knowing she has a backup option.