Oxbridge applicants 2026??

[Justlurkingmostly]

Is there a thread for this year’s applicants - I can’t seem to find with a search. Thanks for signposting 🙏

Thank God, both D Twins have received offers. The relief is enormous- not so much that it's Oxford (because St Andrews would be wonderful too) but not to have one DTw disappointed and one celebrating.
My pregnancy with those boys was tricky and I was given an 80% likelihood of losing them. I remember the 'wall of hopeful stories' in the SCBU at King's College Hospital. Parents of terribly premature babies posted photos of them growing up and those hopeful stories kept me going. I can hardly believe where we have come to today.

So sorry to hear not so good news! It will definitely take few days for the young ones to get over it however they will. Our first choice for Univ is US so it isnt over yet.
p/S: my spelling was wrong, it was Maths and Philosophy with Magdalen(never got the pronounce correct either).

Congratulations to your DTwins!!! I'm delighted for your whole family!

Completely off thread but was in exactly the same position (I spent hours looking at "the wall of celebration" in my DTs SCBU when they were very premature) - just wanted to say massive congratulations to your DTs (and you) from another premature twin mum!

My ds has had a ucas update saying he’s got an offer for maths but no email from the college yet.

Congratulations to your DD @Greenleave - she hasn't chosen an easy option, has she? Joint Schools and Magdalen!

Thank you @Africa2go- I hope your twins are flourishing too?

Thank you, @temperedolive !

It's a no for my Oxford one - not a particularly competitive course, 10x9s, four A star predicted, glowing reference etc. One good interview, one bad one - I guess it was the latter though I always think there's no point speculating on the myriad reasons.

Haven't seen her yet but she says she's fine. I think she is more than fine - life is very good for her, she has loads and loads of friends, a lovely boyfriend, cast-iron confidence, doors open for her, is super smart. I honestly can't think of any way in which she'll be impoverished by going to Durham or Edinburgh! She's incredibly smart, extraordinary memory, very intuitive. What she isn't is particularly academic - I think she does well because she's a ruthless pragmatist rather than any deep-seated passion.

Am dreading the Cambridge results as will hit my older child much harder and she doesn't have a clear alternative.

PS well done to everyone else who's got offers! Sorry can't name them all but twins jump out at me!

Dd got an offer for Law with German at New today!

@ClaireBlunderwood your daughter clearly has the world at her feet and it looks likely to stay that way. I'm convinced she will do brilliantly wherever she goes to University. I'm sure the same is true of your older DC but in the meantime v best wishes for Cambs offers day.

Great result, @Fatsnowflake - New College is glorious.

Well done to those with offers and commiserations to those without.
Be careful those with offers - at the moment these offers are just that. They’re not acceptance. Many offers don’t translate to acceptance in August. It’s great to celebrate today but keep it level til hopefully acceptance later in the year. Best for everyone’s mental health!

The majority do meet their offers but I agree - caution is good at this stage.

Aww thanks @BridgeovertheriverTest that's very kind. I agree. Just heard that her cousin got an offer for a super competitive course, which is great. But honestly if I had to take out shares in any child, it would be my youngest. She's a force of nature. Love that girl - I'll love her even more when I see her because I know she'll take it so well and with positivity.

Cambridge is the shocker for kids not meeting their offers - only about two thirds of those offered end up being accepted (some may choose to go elsewhere of course). Higher A level tariffs. I always think getting an offer but not the A levels must be the worst. I've known about half a dozen children that it's happened to and I must say most of them have taken it a lot better than their parents!

Yes I’m glad Oxford is AAA and no A*s involved! Cambridge offers tend to be higher.

Oh I do hope so. As a teacher we never know if we will ever have proof of being remembered (or at least know that we might have to wait a very long time to get it!).
@BridgeovertheriverTest @Bigbus
Sadly I think it is a no for my student. I didn't ask her when I saw her today, but she seemed upset/subdued and like she had been crying so thought it was best to back off. She will talk when/if she is ready. I might try to speak with her next week once she has had a chance to process the result.
Like so many on this thread she has wonderful offers from elsewhere and will do well regardless, I am sure.
Thank you nonetheless for the support, and well done to those who did receive offers.

No offer for DD. She's a bit sad but fine. She hasn't had any other offers yet either! Will be thinking if she wants to take a year out and reapply with grades in hand, or not.

Oh bless her @Angelil that's a shame. But lucky her to have a teacher who really cares (and the other offers are not bad either).

@Angelil maybe it's a yes and she's feeling overwhelmed- I do hope it's not a No. But if it is, she could apply again in 2026 with grades in hand and a better idea what to expect at interview.

DS’s offer is Astar Astar A so not a walk in the park but I’m very grateful that there’s no STEP to worry about. I think it’s humanities offers which are usually AAA.

Let's see. She's normally a very cheerful sort. I will give her some time to simmer down and then see if I can find a chance to have a chat with her.

FWIW it's for Ancient and Modern History. She's very interested in both aspects of the course and wrote her extended project on the Emperor Nero but has never had a chance to formally study Ancient History, so I am hoping this didn't count against her (not all pupils have had a chance to study Ancient History, Classics etc before studying it at university and it's not as if the ancient languages [which she also hasn't ever studied formally] are a compulsory part of the course or anything like that).