Oxbridge applicants 2026 - thread 2

[ArchitectureMum]

Someone has to be the OP and I have no fate to tempt now in this journey.

Congratulations to all the Oxford offer holders. Some lovely stories yesterday afternoon.

Comiserations to those who had different news yesterday. I hope your DC are doing ok and beginning to look positively towards their other options.

Good luck to everyone waiting for news from Cambridge on 28th January.

And hello to all the Oxbridge observers - alumni, parents of past and future applicants. It is always a thread of highs and lows and it was a privilege to be a small part of it for this cycle.

Very much humanities. Very small niche subject.

Gosh so weird that they've specified that it will be for 2027. I guess if it's very niche that might happen. DD's also applied for a course with very few places (joint honours). I really can't see a way that she gets a place given her interviews and the so-so school's reference, but it will be good to know at least.

It seems weird and unusual but apparently does happen. They want to secure a good candidate at a less popular college it seems. Feels unfair on her tbh.

I mean this kindly @BurnoutGP but you can’t frame this as unfair. I know too many outstanding students who didn’t get this far. It’s hard to be objective but honestly she is in a good position albeit it may be the wrong place for her right now given her circumstances. Whatever happens good luck to her.

DD would bite the hand off a place at Fitzwilliam (though not for the year after next - one gap year is fab, two not so much...).

Ah I see..yes DS had two interviews at his chosen college and then the offer arrived from one he wasn't expecting. They must have liked her and there is still hope - until the answer comes, but as @Lobbygobblersays, there aren't enough places for all of the very highly qualified and brilliant students who apply. I know several from DS' cohort that we were scratching our heads about wondering what on EARTH more they wanted from these children/young adults! But they have all done brilliantly and been happy at their various alternatives ....

Of course I understand that many would love to be in this position (though she doesn't actually have an offer yet of course). She just feels like they're saying youre not good enough/we don't want you but we don't want anyone else to have you. I am really trying to help her reframe that into they think you are worthy of cambridge and want to give you that chance. Hard for a ND child to not see it in concrete terms.

It's just one year. 2027 entry is next October 😊

I know, badly expressed, I mean for the entry after this one, as that would be two for my DD as she's on a gap year already. But very unlikely to be an issue!

Just found this new thread. Sorry if it's already been asked but does anyone know how Cambridge applicants find out on Wednesday? Is it an email and do the emails land at a particular time or could it be any time throughout the day?

These things are so hard to navigate @BurnoutGP I hope everything works out for DD.

Im no expert but I believe by email from your college (or another if you were pooled and not aware) anytime from 8:30 to 1:30. I believe UCAS may update before you get the email in some cases.

Wishing the best for all parents and youngsters today, (having been here on Oxford decision day and no offer) but I can honestly say almost 2 weeks after the disappointment, we are all back on track and DS is genuinely excited about his other options. Today is a hard day though!

Sending best wishes for Cambridge offers day tomorrow. May joys be prolonged and disappointments fleeting.

Yeah good luck all! I'm trying to enjoy the last day of imagining the best and girding for the worst, although tbf the worst is not bad at all and DS is pretty chill. But I know some have hearts very much set on it so keeping everything crossed for positive outcomes. Whatever way it goes, they've done incredibly well and shown great qualities jumping through all the hoops and coping with this wait.

Thinking of everyone waiting for decisions tomorrow - the waiting is really tough!!

Very best of luck to all waiting for Cambridge decisions!

DD has been very chill but I think nerves are starting to creep in now. Good luck to everyone waiting for results tomorrow. As others have said, they've all done so well to get this far, regardless of whether they get an offer or not.

Just coming onto say good luck to all those waiting for Cambs tomorrow. We were in the same place last year, and I remember only too well how nervewracking it is! DC did get an offer, made the grades, and is happily enjoying his second term.

However, a few of his friends didn't get offers. While it feels upsetting on the day not to get the news they're hoping for, they all quickly moved on and are now at other great universities, happy and thriving! Just thought it might be helpful to gently point that out in case anyone finds themselves in that position tomorrow...x

Good luck to everyone waiting to hear from Cambridge tomorrow🤞🤞🤞

Best of luck to all those waiting for Cambridge tomorrow. My two older dc's both applied - one got an offer and the other didn't, so I've seen both sides. My dc who did go had a wonderful time, as did my dc who didn't go! Easy to say, but your children will be fine if they don't get an offer - I'm sure if they have made it this far they have other wonderful Uni options up their sleeve.

Fingers and toes crossed for you all waiting on the dreaded emails tomorrow. Whichever way it goes for them, they've done SO well to even be in this position in the first place. And it really isn't the end of the world if it's a rejection even though I know (personally!) that it feels like it at the time.

We've just been arranging to go and see DS this weekend and attend Formal Hall and Evensong for the last time before he graduates...his four years have FLOWN by 🤯

Fingers crossed for all !! Can't believe it's been a year since DD got her offer. She's having a magical time at Cambridge and I wish the same for you all.

Good luck to everyone waiting for results today.

The nerves are really building now! Not long to go…