Continuation of Oxbridge 2025

[BananasAllofIt]

I for one still have a kid waiting to hear about interviews. Thought I'd carry it over...

Hello, has anyone else got a DC in the situation that they have an interview invite but don’t yet know when and with which college? DD heard on Friday she has an interview with one college but hasn’t been given a time or date. She has been told she will definitely also be interviewed by another college, but again zero information. I’m just wondering how normal this is and if there’s a point where we should start emailing admissions to find out more details. She’s definitely checking her spam -she is super organised.!

Good luck to everyone on here in the coming weeks and I’m sorry to those who didn’t get interviews, but people are right – I know from the experience of another DC is better to be put out of your misery at this point then have it hanging over you all Christmas.

All the advice now says wear whatever you want. DS will be in hoodie and jeans as that's his 6th form attire, but it apparently makes no difference whatsoever.

For maths at least, we don't care what people wear! It's a good idea to bring some layers though - there are no hills between Cambridge and Siberia and it can get quite chilly, especially if you are sitting around in old colleges which might not have the best heating systems.

DS1 has been offered an interview for Oxford - he made an open application and is being interviewed for Pembroke for Maths. One of his best friends is also being interviewed - different subject. And another close friend has an interview for Cambridge.

DS1 felt that his MAT test in October didn't go very well. I have deliberately not been asking because he does always tell me when he gets important news about results and offers, and I just thought if he's already feeling sadness and disappointment I don't want to add to pressure. He already has conditional but quite achievable (for him) offers from Manchester and York and liked what he saw visiting for open days.

My DD also made an open application and has been allocated Wadham. We have not heard yet whether she has an interview or not and while she doesn't seem bothered, I'd like to know one way or another so we can focus on the offers in hand.

But I also wanted to say I was at York and my friends there who were studying Maths did extremely well thereafter, as traders in the City (London) and as business people generally. Two set up a business they then sold 5 yrs later for tens of millions, giving them absolute freedom to invest in new ideas. Geniuses all of them.

No interview for DD. Good luck everyone with kids doing interviews this month. I hope they do well. Onwards...!

@BananasAllofIt sorry to hear about this - I hope your DD has some other uni options she is keen on. All the very best to her.

@BananasAllofIt Sorry to hear that. At least the wait is over. Hope she has other options she is excited about. (And following your previous post, I have a very good family friend who was rejected by Oxford last year and is absolutely loving his first year at York - no regrets at all there!)

Those with DC applying to Cambridge. Are they attending interviews in person?

No, both DCs doing online interviews, different colleges, consecutive weeks.

Sorry @BananasAllofIt, that must be frustrating after the long wait. It's a lottery, but ultimately one where everyone wins, regardless of immediate outcomes. So many brilliant universities and university experiences out there. Best of luck to your DC.

Mine is. About a quarter of the colleges are in-person this year. Would be interested to know if they've has more, fewer or a similar number of applicants compared to online colleges. DC actively wanted an in-person interview, but I'm sure others would be the opposite.

Thank you. Yes she is leaning towards York. I was there too, about a million years ago..

Dd is doing her MA at York. Loves it. All the beauty of the city but with far less intensity and pressure

DS has online interview for Cambridge on Tuesday morning. He had a terrifying mock interview at school which pulled out all the stops, and has shocked him into learning huge charts of Synthetic Chemistry pathways!

Good plan. I still shudder slightly at my interview from decades ago: "Come in. Sit down. Tell me the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone..."

@Nyannuam yes interview in person, and is pleased about it, and of course it will cost us something. But I think it's easier to get in the mood with a journey, sense of occasion. Is nervous, but sitting in his room waiting with a screen would make it worse.
A long shot anyway, as I keep telling everyone!

Sorry to hear that @BananasAllofIt at least the wait is over.

My DD was at York and had a brilliant time. I know two school mums who have also had kids go through there recently and there are only good things to say about it. One pro-tip, though, as a heads up, is to research the joyful history of Longboi and to be angered by what someone has tried to do to his statue. He is the stuff of legend and the aftermath will run well into 2025/26.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Boi

However, if your DD has any form of dislike of ducks, geese or bird poo, York is best avoided. Highly recommend joining the queue for breakfast in Betty's though.

Thanks for the anecdotes and recommendations. As I mentioned, I was at York myself.

No. Betty’s is over-rated. There! I’ve said it. The little cafe at the Art Gallery is divine.

We had a few days in York last July. Gorgeous city but DS thought it was a too far away for Uni, we live in Dorset-I’d love to study there.

5 hours door to door!

Wishing everyone's DC with interviews this coming week all of the best.