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Original poster

Oxbridge 2024 Entry Part 4

1000 replies

Lightsabre · 02/12/2023 09:34

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Mirrormeback · 04/12/2023 00:31

Good luck to all interviewees this week

DS is next week and has yet to have a date finalised by one college

Thankfully it's not this week because he's caught a cold which hopefully won't get worse

bluetides · 04/12/2023 06:28

Good luck to those who have their interviews this week.
My DS is next week. After the initial excitement about getting to that stage, the stress level is starting to increase… He thinks his PAT didn’t go well and is therefore borderline and so has to get top interview marks to stand any chance…
He also has to learn to think out loud as it doesn’t come naturally to him. I did give him a few maths questions to solve as a dry run and he tends to rush to the answer talking very fast to himself. He’s got to learn to verbalise his thoughts slowly, but I hope it won’t interrupt his thought process (if that makes sense).
He’s also not sure about the tech aspect, he doesn’t have an iPad and Apple pencil so will have to borrow from a friend or the school on the day (he’s planning to do his interviews at school).
At least he’s got one more week to get ready…

Whybotherohwhy · 04/12/2023 06:30

Good luck to everyone with interviews today and coming up soon!

I haven’t slept well, partly on DD’s behalf but bcos lots of other stuff going on as well.

Will remind her to smile, make eye contact, to speak more slowly than usual (she tends to rush) and to take time to think before answering.

Any other general advice/tips?

stoneysongs · 04/12/2023 07:32

Really listen carefully to the question.

Remember - you're already good enough, or they wouldn't be interviewing you, so there is nothing to prove, just try to enjoy the conversation.

Good luck!

catmomof3 · 04/12/2023 07:34

Good luck to all of those having interviews from today onwards!

DD's interview is tomorrow, she claims she is prepared and I want to have faith in her but I'm not so sure lol. I don't want to add any extra pressure so just letting her get on with it now and whatever will be will be. Proud of her regardless.

CatherineStandish · 04/12/2023 07:55

DS got an offer last week of AAA from what I believe is secretly his first choice London uni so spent the weekend playing computer games and going to parties. Three As are not a challenge.

He has two interviews at Oxford and mocks this week and is about as relaxed as a person can be 🤣. We’ll watch with interest.

PandaPacer · 04/12/2023 07:56

Morning all, off we go! DS has a series of interviews today starting at 10.30am for CompSci at C. His cold has morphed into a chest infection so let's see how he goes - he has decided to stay home for them as the tech at school is unreliable apparently.

He's not feeling very positive to be honest, maybe due to being sick, and has been quite cranky / snappy this weekend, which is very out of character for him.

All along we have reminded ourselves that the chances of getting in are very slim anyway, but it's hard when the door opens slightly not to get your hopes up. I'll pass on the excellent advice above @stoneysongs if he seems in the mood to receive it today - thank you.

Whybotherohwhy · 04/12/2023 08:05

stoneysongs · 04/12/2023 07:32

Really listen carefully to the question.

Remember - you're already good enough, or they wouldn't be interviewing you, so there is nothing to prove, just try to enjoy the conversation.

Good luck!

Thanks for this. Can be easily forgotten!

Original poster
Lightsabre · 04/12/2023 08:45

lifeturnsonadime · 03/12/2023 21:22

I don't know if people remember from earlier threads that my DS is one of 4 male cousins who have applied for Oxford this year? I now know that all 4 of them made the interview stage! My DS and one of my DNs have their interviews tomorrow.

Good luck to all who have interviews this week. They're all amazing!

Edited

Nice that they have each other for support @lifeturnsonadime.

OP posts:
Headingto18 · 04/12/2023 08:52

DD has her first two interviews today with quite a chunk of task/prep time ahead of them; also stayed home as was school’s preference and hers. Good luck everyone - DD is so excited!

Redhotchillipeppers · 04/12/2023 09:19

Good luck to all interviewees today 🤞

lifeturnsonadime · 04/12/2023 09:20

Well I've dropped DS off at school (weather awful) where he will have his interview this afternoon.

He doesn't seem too phased by it, we've barely mentioned it this weekend. He feels that he has done all he can.

Will see what he feels like when I pick him up tonight after the interview. I'm glad he's doing it at school, less responsibility for me and our internet is sometimes a bit unpredictable!

lullubell · 04/12/2023 09:28

Good luck to everyone with interviews today and this week. I've dropped DD off at college and she's quite excited. I have no idea if she's done enough prep but she knows her stuff so trying to encourage her to relax and enjoy it. What will be will be!!

Rollergirl11 · 04/12/2023 09:43

Sending positive vibes for DC’s with interviews today!

KazzaV · 04/12/2023 09:56

DD in first interview now at school as internet more reliable there - I went with stay calm and composed - take time to think and smile a bit . Shall be glad when today is done and so will DD - she is looking forward to Xmas’ing as she put it as she missed her class roast yesterday and had serious FOMO.
Good luck to all those interviewing this week 😆

mondaytosunday · 04/12/2023 10:16

Did anyone see that comment on TSR about thanking the interviewers? One person commented that as the interviewer has the 'power' they should thank the interviewee, not the other way round. Bizarre! I imagine the interviewer will end the interview by saying something like 'thank you for joining us today X', and the natural response would be 'thank you' and a smile (then go off for a hug from mum/dad/dog or just float up in the air with relief it's over).

Pleasealexa · 04/12/2023 10:18

Interviews this week (2 separate Universities), one in person and C online so desperately hoping tech works as have had a broadband outage. Thankfully a nice engineer has just been around to fix it but I am also thinking of a backup plan as school isn't an option due to lack of private space.

MirandaWest · 04/12/2023 10:30

DD seemed OK as she left this morning - there’s lots of interviews this week in her friendship group so they were all messaging each other good luck 😊

Pleasealexa · 04/12/2023 10:37

@mondaytosunday I agree..bizarre comment..I think the time during interviews will quickly and likely to end fairly fast without opportunity for much other than thank you.

I'm not feeling too invested (yet) and just proud that he is prepared to go for it and know he will do brilliantly at his other options, indeed I feel one might suit him better! An C interviewer has an academic background from one of the other offers he holds so highlights that UG study doesn't need to be at Oxbridge.

Jaxx · 04/12/2023 10:47

Best of luck for everyone with interviews 🤞.

My son is interviewing on Thursday in person. He has a his last mock interview on Wednesday after school. He seems relatively relaxed and reluctant to prep too much for it. Not sure if this is because he genuinely feels ready or of his is distancing himself and doesn’t want to try too hard in case he is unsuccessful. What will be I’ll be I guess.

@mondaytosunday the thanking comments on TSR did seem strange. My son has sent short thank you emails following mock interview and has a card and chocolates for the teacher at the independent school that have been supporting him since October. Nothing to do about power, just basic manners.

Revengeofthepangolins · 04/12/2023 11:33

DS2 is doing his pre reading and kicks off his first interview in 15 mins. I saw the passage on the printer. Crikey, I couldn't do english lit! Poor innocent scientist here, albeit, I think, well read.

Fingersverytightlycrosssed · 04/12/2023 11:44

My YP has their NatSci interviews tomorrow online. Doing in school where they can borrow iPad and pencil. Glad they are both within an hour of each other. Some of their friends have two online C interviews a day or two apart.

Im not sure they did much practicing over weekend for it. I think they have frozen a bit over the whole thing. I think if you’re very good you will be ok but for lots of applicants it might come down to a question that they really gel or don’t gel with

Revengeofthepangolins · 04/12/2023 11:47

There is a big luck element - does the candidate get a question that allows them to spark, so to speak. I am hoping he gets a UCL interview invitation soon as a reminder that, hopefully, there are other paths. Although of course, UCL may not actually be one of them!

KazzaV · 04/12/2023 12:08

History interview “wasn’t bad actually “ so that’s good 😊 hope that reassures others

DSandDD · 04/12/2023 12:20

That's the first interview done for my son, was 👍 👍 . Now he is very hungry!! Second one on Wednesday.

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