Continuation of Oxbridge 2025

[BananasAllofIt]

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

Hi all,

I have experienced Oxford offers day for two of my DC - the first got an offer (amazing feeling) and the second didn't. Something I told him on the day was that this is the worst you're ever going to feel about Oxford. From here, it will get easier. It's true. He is loving the course at Imperial.

Sending love to all today, especially those who are disappointed - it's very hard to see your DC so disappointed when they have worked hard and done well.

Just popping on to wish everyone luck. I was waiting on Oxford with my DD last year. No place offered which was pretty devastating as she was considered a ‘shoe-in’ by her school. She was the one of the only people in her year to be holding onto four other offers - including those from establishments not known to give early decisions. On reflection, the wrong college choice was part of the issue, but who knows, it is the interview which is the only opaque part of the process - every other metric she was over the threshold for. However, she did not choose to reapply and in a surprising turn of events took a place at TC Dublin following stellar A level results. She has been very happy - significantly less cost in tuition fees, she is eligible for the Erasmus program and has had a really good student experience. Passing the scholarship exams could also bring some greater rewards in the future, but we’ll see what happens.

I’m posting because Some of her contemporaries decided to reapply to Oxford this year having rejected places at Edinburgh, Warwick, Durham, UCL, St Andrews etc. some of this was fuelled by parental influence. In the main, they bitterly regret not just going off to uni. The FOMO in September looking at instagram feeds of freshers week is really hard for them, and friends who have gone off to uni are trying to settle in and are focused on trying to make new friends not replying to texts from those on an enforced gap year. A gap year is great if there is a plan - a gap year working a NMW job whilst playing the waiting game for a second year is not so much fun. My point is, Oxford is not the be all and end all. Everything happens for a reason and your young person may well find their tribe elsewhere. I know my has. Last year we supported DD in her disappointment but she decided she didn’t want to go through the process again. For her this was the right decision.

Thinking of you all today 💐

Nervous for today but what will be will be!! Applied for History and also had HAT tech problems.

Just wish Exeter had come back with an offer as she'd be very happy to go there. Would be easier with that offer in the bag if it is a no. I think because she went for a 4 year course it's more competitive so will be after equal consideration..

Good luck all 🤞

Good luck, everyone and huge thanks for all the generous, wise and helpful posts on this thread. It has made an intimidating process so much easier to go through. Some fantastic tips for what to say should the news not be positive so many thanks for those words of wisdom too. My DC applied for English. I am looking forward to not having the uncertainty anymore! Fingers crossed for everyone. 🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽

Do we know when they find out? Do all emails go out at the same time?

Waiting for Oxford outcome today. Will they hear first via email or UCAS website?

I think they are pretty simultaneous but I've heard from some people it has come on UCAS first. Most by about lunchtime I think.

All pretty anecdotal though!

Looking at last year's thread from same day, it looks like the first offers started trickling our by email around 8.30. UCAS updates often happen before college emails though. Good luck to you all today.

Good luck everyone!

Good luck to the Oxford hopefuls - another one popping up to say that DD got a no at this point last year and is now mightily relieved she did. She wouldn't have been able to turn Oxford down but thinks UCL is a much better fit. Enjoying her course, especially its flexibility and the chance to continue with a language, and absolutely loving London.

So really, don't worry if today's lottery turns out to be a no, it doesn't mean anything. Watch out their disappointment doesn't turn into a bit of a slump in the A level prep though. Sometimes it's hard to pick yourself up in these dark January days.

And if DC get a no from the university before UCAS updates, highly recommend going into UCAS and withdrawing before they have a chance to reject you in the system - petty but satisfying 😁

Good luck everyone!

We’ve been here before and got a no and would agree with all the others who have experienced it – it’s pretty horrible, I was totally chilled when D1 told me and didn’t see it as remotely the end of the world, but I hadn’t anticipated how upset she would be and how long she would continue being upset for.But I can also guarantee it passes and she is now having a ball where she is, much more fun than her friends at Oxbridge and on course for a first without breaking sweat. I find the system of dribbling out the replies during the day infuriating. How hard would it be to send them all out at the same time after school hours – say 5 pm?

Just on this, a family friend didn’t not get their Oxbridge preference in Jan. on results day they did gain a place under widening participation - they are very happy now. Just worth considering if you meet the widening participation/contextual requirements.

Good luck to all today.

DD’s gone into her English mock , said she wasn’t checking emails before as stressful enough. She does have offers from Warwick, Exeter and Durham so hopefully if it’s no she can console herself with those. I think even over Oxford Warwick is her preference but would choose Oxford if accepted I think

I also keep empathising how well they’ve all done to have got this far ❤️

Good luck to all, another with a DC who was rejected this time last year and who couldn’t be happier at UCL.

It does sting to be rejected but there are other amazing opportunities out there.

emphasising not empathising 😂

It’s a no here for computing science. I am not surprised as he did not do Further Maths which they said was a requirement- was baffled why they interviewed in first place!
good luck to all

There should be a combo word for this -- emphatising or empasising. It's definitely a thing!! 😊

Sorry to hear that @ipredictariot5 . Hope your DC is not too disappointed.

I think if they're going to give a date, just send at 9am on that date or everyone has to keep checking.

Sorry to hear your news @ipredictariot5. CS is so competitive unfortunately.

Ds was declined this time last year. It was tough, happened at school where most of his friendship group got offers despite him having a stellar profile. He was very flat for a couple of weeks, particularly when more friends received Cambridge offers. It takes time to process and some will want to go again. He didn't and is now enjoying his course. His Oxbridge friends are having to work very hard but they're mostly enjoying student life too.

If I'm honest, I still feel a bit sad about it (for him) as he was the hardest worker of the lot and so invested in his subject but, unfortunately, he wasn't confident enough at interview. He's definitely moved on and is doing well academically and socially where he is.

Good luck to all moving forward, whatever the outcome.

So anxious! Ds works in his school canteen around 11.30-1.30 today so if they don't send it before he starts he won't know until after as he can't check while on shift. Apparently he can check in lessons as he uses a laptop! I just wish we knew so we can deal with it - not very hopeful after interview here.

Hope everyone's ok and not too wound up and I'm also really grateful for the lovely posts from people who've been through it before.

Sometimes UCAS track updates before the email arrives so they can check that too.

My son has just had an email, and he has been offered a place 🙂