Redirected from Oxford and Cambridge 2024

[MirandaWest]

Thought I’d start this thread in case anyone else with a DC who didn’t get an offer from Oxford (or Cambridge in a couple of weeks time) wants to say anything - I feel a bit out of place in the Oxbridge thread now but could be good to have somewhere to talk about how they are and what their plans are now.

Glad to hear it was helpful @Headingto18 and that your DD did so well. It's such an involved process, so great she's had some positive feedback. Let's hope my Dd's comes soon (and says good things- she was pooled so feels like a near miss anyway!!)

Hi All,

Just thought I'd pop on here to give an update.

DS is now in his final year at Lancaster having not achieved his first choice of Cambridge.

He's had a brilliant time and is on track to get a First in maths.

But the big news is that he's been accepted to do a Masters at Cambridge next academic year with a view to a potential PHD there.

We are thrilled for him and I just wanted to let you all know that just because you child was re-directed that it does not mean they will have a lesser time at Uni (he's loved Lancaster and with hindsight it may have been the better outcome) or that any lingering Oxbridge ambitions will never be fulfilled.

Many children like my son can take a different route but still end up meeting their aspirations x

Thanks so much for your update, it's so lovely to hear. Congratulations to your DS too. We are at a bit of a crossroads, one DC has a Cambridge offer and the other has been redirected and trying to work out what to do next. It's really heartening to hear your story and helpful to those of us still trying to work through it.

That is wonderful @BreadInCaptivity. I hope he has an amazing time as a postgrad at Cambridge.

@BreadInCaptivity that is great to hear! It was my original thought that if they didn't receive an Oxbridge offer that they would perhaps try again for their masters. I've since found out that the masters loan isn't a favourable as doing a MMath so I think it will be a case of assessing the cost at the time.

@SeaofTranquility has your son had any other tempting offers? My 2 are still deciding, currently working our way through the offer holder days.

Yes, all responses are back now. Two tempting so will firm and insure those but seriously considering reapplying if achieve 4A* in August.

@SeaofTranquility that's great, sounds like a good plan! Best of luck to them both x

Well done to @BreadInCaptivity.

@Cx5 As it stands you can currently borrow £12k in total towards the fees and maintenance for a masters. The masters fees at Oxbridge, KCL, UCL etc are typically £17k giving a £5k deficit before you even think about accommodation etc. Other RG universities charge around £10k to £14k depending on where you go. You can also get a good discount if you stick with your undergrad uni.

If you are applying for a STEM degree an integrated masters gives you access to 4 years of undergrad funding, so fees of £9k plus your usual maintenance grant. It's a no brainer to do an Integrated Masters if you have the chance.

Agree that an integrated master’s degree is a cost effective option for STEM subjects. DD took the option to continue into the Master’s year of her degree and went straight into a job requiring a Master’s degree after graduation.

As my name suggests, we’re looking at UCL which is a brilliant uni and she has a great offer but…DD still hasn’t got over the Oxford rejection in all honesty and despite getting 4 other offers before Oxford came in she’s been a bit adrift..especially her peers received offers. I think the cost of uni elsewhere is an additional kicker as it does seem like Oxford and Cambridge with accommodation guaranteed for all 3 years with term time only contracts is seemingly less expensive than 3 years elsewhere….sigh.

I don’t know how she’ll feel when the results come in. She’s predicted 4 A stars, has all 9’s at GCSE. Everyone was surprised she didn’t get a place including her teachers. The college at Oxford wouldn’t provide feedback regarding her application which wasn’t terribly helpful. Her aptitude test score was above the level required for an offer so it is most likely to be her interview that was the issue, but who knows?

@PotentialUCLmum sorry she is have a bad time with it. It sounds as though she has great other options, but that doesn't necessarily help. Odd that the college were unwilling to prove feedback - I thought they had to, although I suspect that for a lot of candidates it is hard to say anything very revelatory when the margins are so fine.

I guess she will crack on with firming and booking accom and then can have a think in august? Note that UCL accom is already being allocated.

I hope things lift for her

Potential - is she at a state school? If she gets the grades will she reapply? That extra year of life experience might give her the edge in an interview?

And yes cost is a big factor in my own thoughts on this. Oxbridge can be very good value compared to London, Bristol, Manchester etc

Hand on heart tho we thought the course was boring and not really right for dd. I know there’s a lot of chat about you can make it your own at oxbridge but it was very traditional and focused on the lecturers own interests compared to the course she is now taking. Trying not to be too outing so not saying which course but honestly there are pros and cons to every situation

@Newgirls no she’s not in the state system. No idea about reapplying or the chances of success if she does….agree a year out is not a bad thing, not sure she sees it that way tho!

@Newgirls good to hear. Thank you!

I'm sorry @PotentialUCLmum my dc took rejection badly last year, not least because an older sibling had been successful, plus a couple of good friends. She was pooled and had feedback urging her to reapply (looked like one interviewer took against her on one question but everyone else rated her highly) but still decided not to because she couldn't have coped with a second rejection. Needless to say, it's all worked out more than fine - they love the uni they ended up at and have had opportunities to do all sorts of things that Oxbridge wouldn't have allowed.

She's very glad she just pressed on and is about to finish her first year with an exciting summer ahead of her, seeing her friends struggling to jeep their heads above water at Oxbridge and having a pretty dull existence has helped too! (also the experience of my oldest tbh). UCL is a fab uni (my youngest will be going there if they get the grades, didn't do Oxbridge) and I think is on the way to becoming just as highly rated as Oxbridge. The cost, I agree, is a downer. It's tough as a parent to see them so despondent but it will turn around, I promise.

Thanks @Umbilicate I agree about the status of UCL, it’s just a shame the cost of attending is so much higher.

As another potential UCL mum (asuming dc3 gets grades which I think they will) I 100% agree. I do think though there are huge advantages to studying in London and they can get jobs (not possible in Oxford) that fit around their studies that pay quite decently.

@PotentialUCLmum i can understand the complications around the decision esp given the cost of London which is not just a bit but considerably higher than Oxbridge; DD has firmed Durham instead of her London option for this and other reasons - she was not esp wedded to O at all, but did like the idea of a more campus/ college based system which London colleges largely can’t provide. She also had great feedback and was v close but decided even before that not to go again - a few of her friends got offers (it is a low offer school) and at least two are going again. I can see why they would and as long as its for positive reasons with a great gap year and positive other options, then i would respect the young person’s choice. If there was any sense that they will be deeply affected by a second rejection, i would advise strongly against. I think given all that not getting feedback is a harsh factor - I don’t think colleges have to provide it but can’t really see why they wouldn’t. DD’s was much more detailed than expected. Very best of luck on what your DD decides

Could have written this about my DC. I totally understand how you and your DD feels. I think we have to give it even more time. See how the results go in August. See how they feel then and what options are open to them, all we can do is support them. Have you considered applying to Cambridge instead of Oxford for next year?

I’d like her to seriously think about it as I think it has knocked her confidence really. It was her original plan but she got caught up in the ‘lower offers are made at Oxford’ frenzy. The UCL offer is a really reasonable one so it would be madness to dismiss it without serious consideration.

She can still firm UCL now (my DC has insured UCL funnily enough) and see how she feels in August. I think keeping all options open until then is a good idea and now just focus on getting those 4 A stars. Super good luck to your DD.

Does anyone know the last date by which Cambridge colleges should provide feedback this year? Thanks

My DD was promised it by today (per college website). Disappointingly what has come is an assessment score but no narrative.