Oxbridge 2025

[SnowFairy2000]

Let's start the journey here !!!

OOh thanks for that tip. He's just submitted the SAQ ahead of the 22nd deadline.

DS was asked to submit an extra form to Cambridge (the deadline was yesterday) and to provide a photo which will be used as his official uni photo should he be offered/take up the place. I’m not sure how much effort he put into this after thinking he’s ballsed up the TMUA. Normally I would have fussed over getting the perfect photo and annoyed him but this time I ….oh, OK, I forgot all about it and the lad just got on with it himself.

DS didn't realise (or didn't read 🙄) the photo instructions so he has a hilariously awful Cambridge photo...you might have thought that would have encouraged him to read paperwork more closely, but it doesn't seem to have done...

I really don't understand why they had to put photos in with their application rather than on acceptance. Cambridge are going to end up with five times as many photos as students and even those will be a year out of date.

I dunno but it may be so they know that the person sitting the online interview is the actual applicant...my dc had to show their passport when doing an Imperial interview.

I think that may be the reason. The first episode of Suits demonstrates this perfectly.

Yes, that might be it!

Any recruitment exercise follows GDPR for storage of personal data. Any unnecessary personal data gets deleted at each stage of the process, pre interview, post interview, post results etc. Don't forget, there is a whole industry out there in people standing in for others in all kinds of situations ftom driving tests to job applications to exams to bank account applications. At least they are doing what they can to ensure candidates are genuine.

Ha! I had forgotten about the photo. DS also sent off a hideous photo (in his opinion) to Cambridge that he had to live with for three years.
The photo is used to help remember applicants after interviews. Cambridge interviews many more applicants than Oxford.

Or so DS believed anyway.

I remember having to send off a passport photo with my Oxford application, 30+ years ago, and that wasn't even used for my uni card! I think it could help interviewers check they've got the right person and recall them afterwards.

Panic here my Dc didn’t in fact complete all the sections in their ‘My Cambridge’ application 😰😵‍💫😱

Admissions emailed him yesterday before the 6pm 22 Oct deadline. The first part was completed and uploaded on 21st the sections they didn’t complete are for the neurodiversity bit and proof of extra time.

head of sixth form needs to sign it also.

what does everyone reckon? Will this impact his chances?!

I would hope not - as missing the deadline and missing info is characteristic of the disability.

Is your Head contactable currently - ours are on half term.

This may vary by college, but for us they sent a college neurodiversity/extra time form after the My Cambridge application to be filled in by November 4th (we don't happen to need it, assume it went to all applicants). Is this what's happened here or are you sure this is from the university-wide form?

it’s for christs college… he’s had an email back just now saying to complete as soon as possible and ’without fuss’ 😵‍💫 could it still hinder him?! There is another deadline for 4 Nov but the neuro diversity bit that was yesterday at 6 😵‍💫

knew I should have triple checked what he was doing. @5starzz agree - typical characteristic! 🤯

They should be understanding. DD had covid during her first year exams. She got her mitigating circumstance form approved by everyone necessary, but forgot to press submit. On results day it was still pending and we finally realised how severe her ADHD was!

I dont think it will hinder him - its an admin team doing this part - the interviewers will be different. If it would impact they would have said No - you've missed the deadline but they are giving some flex. Just take it easy. There is a lot of complex stuff going on all at once. Mine is grades in hand and this time last year they had three huge NEA deadlines - so I dont know how they would have fitted everything in.

Thanks @5starzz for the reassurance! Will report back when we hear hopefully that all is well!

Cambridge applicant question here.
YP has sent in the MyCambridge form for History, when should they expect to here back to submit written work. Thanks.

Someone asked this question on the last page. Not sure if it was resolved (might depend on college) but check junk mail anyway. DS got his after UCAS form but before MyCambridge.

Joining thread as a late comer

DC2 sat the TSA for Oxford this morning, was delighted with how it went.

No offers from other options yet which is anxiety inducing. DC1 had her Bristol offer in hand by this time 2022.

Thank you very much @Rhinoc. They've found something!!

Yes might have been me who asked....same situation they eventually found something .... deadline for upload is 4th Nov. History. No pre tests with his college - so they feel they are getting off lightly - until they will likely have to tackle a similar source type test verbally on the spot if invited for interview.

Mine is considering uploading the essays he wrote in his actual A level exam as these are accessible .... has anyone else done that? They do have the examiners comments attached.

Please can I check what should happen if there are problems with admissions tests? For example, problems in the test centre or problems in starting the test. Is there a form to fill in at the test centre or afterwards online? I have read so many stories of problems, I would like to prepare DS for what to do if something goes wrong. I don't have much faith in Pearsons!

The test centre will make a report and the candidate will also be informed by the invigilator if they are advised to make a report using a standard form under the circumstances.

Pearson run 1000s of tests around the country everyday for many different programmes. They are the experts and will advise the candidate if they think they should report independently. If it was (say) a delay of a few minutes I really wouldn't bother. If a fire alarm goes off and the building needs to be evacuated I would. If something happens to a specific candidate, such as a screen freezes for several minutes, a report will be made.

Everything should be in the confirmation email and the invigilators will read out the candidate instructions before the exam starts. Your DC should listen carefully for their's, as there will probably be others sitting different types of exam such as professional exams or driving tests alongside them.