Oxbridge 2024 Entry Part 4

[Lightsabre]

New thread as our dc start the rollercoaster ride of interviews.

DS had Stem subject interviews at Cambridge. First one was totally awful, so nervous, blanked and could not get any of the hints and answer any of the questions. Second one much better. He’s totally written himself off from this now, and v down. One bad interview out of the whole process, is that it or is there a glimmer of hope?

@Deckmyhall you only have to read a bit upthread to see that so many came out thinking they had a disaster only to get an offer. As it comes last, it is tempting to see the interview as the final 'must do amazing' hurdle, but Oxbridge keeps saying it's just one part of the process. My daughter is convinced that, though her interviews were not 'bad', that they were not the opportunity to showcase her knowledge and ability to think on the spot - bland was her take on it. Nothing to make her stand out.
Keep the faith - it's very hard to judge one's own performance. Hopefully good news come January for both of us!

@Deckmyhall Did he do any re interview assessments? They often say they are not looking for answers, just the students thought processes so maybe the first didn't go as badly as he thought. You also have the rest of his application and the 2nd interview.

Yes he had a maths exam that helped screen for interview list. Hoping second interview adds some weight and they are maybe used to first interview nerves. Plus the holistic view of his entire application.

My son has no confidence in either interview. I don’t think they were a complete disaster but he describes them both as “mid”. Some of the direction for the interviews seemed more political than historical , which is not a strong point for him unfortunately.

On a positive note he recovered quite quickly and was laughing and joking with his friends online that evening. Booking a place for an Exeter offer holders day and overnight accommodation helped. He is also going to try and arrange an informal visit to Durham including the department and college via disability support as he may be in for a long wait to get an offer.

On January 24th we will be checking, but will be surprised (probably shocked) if he gets an offer. Regardless it will be fine - what’s for you won’t go past you.

Best of luck to everyone else.

I honestly think that until 'the fat lady sings' you/they can't call it - we were surprised when offers were made and to whom in DS' cohort - and last year at DD's school - there were surprises, including people we thought were dead certs failing to get offers, and those who were in abject despair at how badly they thought they had done, getting offers.

To have even got an interview is an achievement, and there will be those who would be perfectly suited to Oxbridge, who will achieve their stellar grades, but who won't get an offer. It is sadly a fact that there are more highly qualified applicants than places, and a rejection does not mean the end of the world, even tho it may feel like it (I know, having been an Oxford reject when my 3 cousins and brother all got offers...!). I swear that there must be a cigarette paper of difference, or a coin toss of chance between some candidates.

I hope that all of the candidates (and parents!) get to enjoy a break over Christmas, and are able to put the looming decisions out of mind for a bit....good luck to those with interviews next week.

I think it may possibly have the same college Jaxx.

When I asked him what it was like he said if you had say expressed an interest in modern women’s suffrage you would likely then be asked about 11th century women’s rights. Then perhaps the papal view on this and then general religious changes and their impact and what this told you about power at this time and what an opposing argument would be and ever wider parallels.

Quite possibly. Was his extract on a religion at a time period (guessing this is vague enough not to be breaking the non-disclosure agreement).

I think it was the same, so challenging interviewers with some leaning to political research. I got ds to look at who they were from the college profiles after.

I've been surprised at how stressful it was as a process (for me as ds isn't over-invested). Ds is also the world's worst predictor of performance, but tends towards optimism. He says it is 50:50 which is helpful . I'd be very surprised if he was offered a place.

I think its hard to know from the interviews. Its 1 in 3 chance now for Oxford for DD, down from 1 in 20 pre interview. She's had both interviews and all first interviews are done but can get called for second colleges up until 10am on Monday which would be on Tues and Wed if called. She enjoyed both interviews and found the interviewers nice and could give an answer to all the questions. Its hard to know as you don't know how others did or exactly the answers they were looking for. Some incredibly strong candidates rejected pre interview.

She's only applied to 3 at the moment and LSE don't send out offers until Feb on and she's not got FM so only a 5% offer rate there but rejections are going out, again including to very talented 4 A star pupils. Other one is Bristol but that's on hold as her tutor has gone on long term sick leave so not there to fill the extra form in. Then will allocate two more in January. And don't know TSA score until Jan.

DD did her Oxford History interview on Zoom this week and came home in tears saying she couldn’t think straight and it was horrendous. Thing is, she clearly had a fever and later tested positive for Covid. My dilemma is, should we inform the college or do you think they won’t care or will think we’re just trying to make excuses?

I don’t want to be that pushy parent but we’re very new to this whole thing.

I just googled it and according to the Oxford website you can inform them of illness before the interview and they will reschedule (they may ask for a doctors note). If you turn up they will assume you are well enough. It goes on to say it will take into account mitigating circumstances presented BEFORE the interview, but cannot exclude the interview once it has taken place.

Thanks. 🙂 Just really bad luck, I guess. I’m sad for her but immensely proud that she got to interview stage anyway. It may not have gone as badly as she thought but I’m not holding out any hope. Fingers crossed for UCL.

@FreddieStandensBFF did she have 2 interviews? So many people believe the interview went badly and I think it's hard to judge whilst in the middle of it and some students are hyper critical of their performances. Fingers crossed she feels better. As you say, getting to interview is an achievement so shouldn't be hard on herself.

No, just the one interview, which I think is to do with the college? Unfortunately, she’s an Olympic champion at being hard on herself, which gives me a tiny ray of hope whilst making it very hard to support her with. I think the process has been good for her confidence overall, so hoping she doesn’t lose that. Roll on January 9th, which is first day of mocks 😬

Thanks 🙂

I don't think it's bad to tell the college the truth. Last year a C applicant appealled successfully in the similar situation.

Above post @FreddieStandensBFF

Good luck to all of those with interviews and second college interviews for this week.

Thanks @Lightsabre It is happening today for us (2 interviews). I would never have expected to be so invested about this process and so stressed. My husband cannot comprehend it…
fortunately I have a very busy day at work with meetings around the times of his interviews so won’t be constantly checking my messages and asking for feedback….

That's understandable @bluetides - it feels like the further on you get in the process, the more invested and hopeful you become. Ds interviews were this time last week and I was so nervous for him (more nervous than he was actually). Unfortunately his first one didn't go well but you'll breathe a sigh of relief when it's all over, whatever the outcome.

Thanks again @Lightsabre , that’s exactly what you describe. It’s been a totally different ball game since getting the interview invitation. Can wait for tonight…

Over on TSR (p193 of the applicants thread) someone has posted links to the Oxford admissions manuals for Classics and PPE, which someone has previously obtained via a FOI. I found it really interesting reading to see how the decision making process works and how it differs between subject, e.g. Classics works at a departmental level with a system of reserve colleges, while PPE is college based and seems to be a bit of a free for all after initial selection. Not all subjects have them, so it's no help for us trying to read the tea leaves for a second MFL interview, but it does seem that the second interviewing college might be seriously considering an offer, rather than being random. If that's the case for us, and if it does transpire they make DD an offer, I think it might work out for the best. It's arguably a better known college and stronger in both MFL and Classics than her first choice, and would be a good fit socially too based on their stats and societies. But, she's being interviewed by college B with tutors from colleges C and D, so who knows!

Good luck everyone in a similar boat.

Thanks @Lightsabre . It kicks off for DS here too today. Three days running for 2 colleges. DS is nervous and so am I! This is such a daunting process!
Good luck to everyone else’s DC who have interviews this week x

@mushroom3 eek..3 days, that's a stressful time. Where will they do interviews, home or school?

Has anyone's DC on here had a 2nd interview invite for history?

I think the deadline is 11am?

DS's study leave has started today for his year 13 mocks. He has a history exam this afternoon. He wants another interview opportunity as he didn't feel his first one went very well, in his words 'I've got no chance', but given that he has exams this week I think it's better he doesn't! Anyway we'll soon know.

Good luck to all the DC with interviews this week. Nearly time for the Christmas break, I can't wait! This term has been hardcore!