Durham insights - rejecting deferred unconditional offer and reapplying risks....

[5starzz]

My son made his offer for History to start in 2024 (got 3xAstar). He asked for a deferral on results day to take a year out and this was approved - so has an unconditional place for 2025.

He is now considering Oxbridge which would require him withdrawing / rejecting this offer and then reapplying through UCAS.

Has anyone any insight on the risks of this - should he speak directly with Durham to explain or just withdraw and reapply? Are the applications bline - would they be able to know it was him? Are they likley to feel snubbed and not offer again?

Yes they will know it's him. I think you answer your own question really. But he could apply to Oxford and 4 other choices.

I think they would offer again. They always know that a good proportion of people they offer to don’t end up coming for a variety of reasons.

The thing to bear in mind, is most Oxbridge applicants are predicted all A star. He will still need to do really well on the HAT and his submitted written work to get to interview, and then do really well in interview. I expect you know, but lots don’t seem to realise that lots with all A star still don’t get in.

That said, I’d he’s having a year out and wants to give it a go, it’s worth it…otherwise you can always wonder ‘what if…’

Did he out-perform his predictions? What prevented him applying first time round? Is he genuinely interested and engaged in History of his own-bat? It’s worth thinking about these things in deciding if to withdraw and reapply. Is he a History geek or is he someone who’s done very well in his A Levels and fancies Oxford, rather than Oxford History and the way it’s taught and level of engagement required? No wrong or right answers to these questions, but worth considering to help him decide. And what’s he doing in his year off - are there elements of it that will strengthen his History application?

Yes very realistic of the hurdles and competition and the reason he didnt apply this time last year was beacuse he was hit with a situation out of the blue. He was predicted 3xAstar which he achieved and is def a geek. He's considering C rather than O due the recently refreshed course structure and is keen on the tutorial system and up for the challenge. Nothing 'historically' relevant in his gap year plans currently beyond reading etc.

Great! Well he should go for it….nothing ventured, nothing gained. Someone must get the places and why not him…..his grades make him a strong applicant.

All the very best to him.

Can his school or college that he’s left give him access to any Oxbridge prep or HAT test support?

Yes he is connected with his old school - so can get help with PS, interview and selecting written work. Nearly all Cambridge colleges have dropped the HAA thi year so one less hurdle.

I recommend he find some very time consuming things to do in his gap year. My sister applied with grades in hand to Cambridge and had a ton of relevant internships / work experiences lined up with publishers, small presses, agents etc (she read English lit). And it was significant in terms of getting her an interview.

thanks @WinnyMoms I will pass that on - he would need to get his skates on tho if he had to have something secured by submission day....not sure thats realistic

Does anyone have any insights on how Durham might respond to the withdrawal and reapplication - and any opinion on whether he should contact the department prior to explain what he is doing as a courtesy?

I would get him to call the admissions office for that subject.

Always a worry but I do know people who got a second offer from Durham. But I guess he needs to be willing to take the risk?

Explain what to Durham, thanks for the offer but I am going to try for Cambridge and if I don't get accepted there then I would be happy with another chance at Durham? He needs to weigh up the guaranteed offer against the potential offer from Cambridge or the other universities he also puts on his UCAS. How bad would be it be if he didn't get Cambridge or Durham this time round?

Statistics for getting into Cambridge, choose last 5 years and a course at the university. https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/apply/statistics but for 2024 cycle 599 applied for History, 222 had offers. What I will tell you is that this isn't just about 3 A stars at A level, I believe from when Ds was applying to Cambridge that most Independent schools offer 4 A levels. Whilst this only accounts a small number of applicants in the general scheme Oxbridge do seem to take a large number of them. I cannot find a breakdown for that but I am sure he can contact the History department at Cambridge or go looking for the data.

Statistics for that can be found here, it is 2022 stats but what I could find from a quick google as I know they publish them.

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/sites/www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/files/publications/undergrad_admissions_statistics_2022_cycle.pdf

I am not saying don't do it but he needs to be aware of the risks. Cambridge along with a lot of top unis are over subscribed meaning they can cherry pick who they want to offer to. They are definitely looking for people with an incredible passion for their subject and that has to be on their PS, that was directly from admissions but Ds was going for a different course.

Explain what to Durham, thanks for the offer but I am going to try for Cambridge and if I don't get accepted there then I would be happy with another chance at Durham?

Yes I agree with you - its very uncomfortable. Maybe just done as a courtesy may help rather than just rejecting through UCAS and reapplying again. Wouldnt even expect a response.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-46470838

Yes well aware of the risks and the competition.

Especially the following shocking statistic from the above article.

The Sutton Trust says pupils from eight schools filled 1,310 Oxbridge places over three years, compared with 1,220 from 2,900 other schools.

Not sure if this has changed significantly since 2018.

He went to the open day yesterday and loved it - so is going to take a punt in the full knowledge of the risk on not getting an offer from Durham.

Cambridge is the right place to take a punt...!

Hi, OP -

I am a former Russell Group admissions tutor. Like Humanities at Durham, Durham, my (STEM) School is a back up for Oxbridge applicants.

We all understand the Oxbridge lure and we are for the most part realistic. In my School, which also has a very high offer, we would appreciate a note from the applicant about what he is doing and we would surely make him the same offer again. Almost all admissions tutors will see it that way, because everyone wants to create the strongest possible cohort. Emphasising in the personal note that circumstances precluded the Oxbridge application last year and that otherwise Durham remains the firm choice will help.

Of course there is a small risk that the decision on DS will be assigned to an admissions tutor in a bad mood or whatever, who will decide against him. But this would be foolish and I think chances are very good that Durham will make him a new offer.

@poetryandwine thank you very much for taking the time for sharing this detailed insight on this very specific personal situation. It is very reassuring. Thanks again.

You are most welcome.

DS may be able to get data on his proposed course of action by joining the online UG forum The Student Room and asking Durham students about this scenario. Durham is known as an Oxbridge back up so I am sure it isn’t all that uncommon

Thank again @poetryandwine - I will suggest he does that.