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.

It’s a no for us but with ARP

She was adamant she didn't want to look ag achool, so she's just got home and sent me a pic of her college offer email. Murray Edwards offer, so she has been pooled and fished. I am in shock tbh! We both thought would be a no, and were fine with this. Oh. My. GOODNESS!

A no here too, dc fine with it. Has been considering what they really want to do as the months have gone by, so it’s sort of a blessing.

A no for DD but she’s totally fine : )

It's a yes for this DD but had a no for the other DD for Oxford a fortnight ago. I had thought that I'd rather neither got in than just one but actually I'm really chuffed for DD1 as she's had so many issues, hated her sixth form, was hugely underpredicted so couldn't do Oxbridge in y13 etc.

DD2 is the more ostensibly academically gifted, got better GSCEs, applying with four A levels to a way less competitive course so it's a real-life illustration of just how random it can be. I want them both to know how important it is to know that you are not the university you go to. Bless DD2 she's being really nice about it (despite the fact they fit like cats in a bag) and I am more proud of this than anything.

Very well done to both your two @ClaireBlunderwood How lovely that DD2 is being so positive about it her sister's offer.

Many congratulations to all those who've had good news today, and hugs to all those who are feeling disappointed

My old college! I was also fished from the January pool way back in the 90s. It's a lovely college, with the best hall (the dome with its rising servery) and a great art collection. The endowment also means that it's not poor college any more.

It's a no for ds2 as well but he seems fine about it. Out of four in his year that applied to Cambridge, there are 3 at least that haven't had an offer. The other one is unknown at the moment -ds2 has been off school with a stomach bug since yesterday morning.

I think he's hoping for Bath (not had an offer yet) and then next choice would be Southampton (for which he received an offer very early on in the process). So onwards and upwards.

Congrats to all those DC who did get offers! It's a great achievement.

Does anyone know what's going on with Veterinary at Cambridge? My son's friend got an email a lot later than expected and then it said they'd get back to her. This is obviously second hand and my son isn't one to ask for details! But I feel so sorry for her.

I know that they failed an accreditation for stupid reasons (to do with the collegiate system not working well with how the accreditation parameters are set up). The University was then planning to close the vet school by 2032, so the 2026 cohort would be the last intake.

No idea what the current plan is or how it's affecting applications. It must be really stressful for applicants.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c368w9ger44o

@ClaireBlunderwood I know you were worrying about this with two DD in the mix. Such huge congratulations to your elder D but you must be really pleased and proud of the younger D for being a good person and excellent sister (as well as a super smart student). That's an attitude and relationship that will stand them in good stead through life.

My DS had a no earlier today.

I can’t believe how gutted I feel about it! I really thought he’d got through - he was predicted 3A stars, did a great personal statement and his interviews went well - it felt like the stars were aligning. I guess I just got carried away with it and had started imagining his life there.

(Obviously not saying any of this to him 🙂 Have been trying to keep his spirits up. Found out this afternoon that his g/f got an offer which has made it even tougher for him I think!)

Anyway, going to allow myself to feel sad today and then need to have a word with myself tomorrow and look forward.

Can I join please? My daughter got an offer for her chosen college and I am absolutely over the moon for her. We are a walking advert for social mobility! She has had all five offers so now it's a case of attending offer days and deciding what is the best for her. Obviously lots of hard work ahead but I am unbelievably proud. Will only start reading up on matriculation and all other unique Oxbridge activities if she decides to go...never want to tempt fate.

Many, many congratulations to your daughter,@Justforchristmas . Oxford and Cambridge seem to speak their own special language but it will all fall into place before you know it. Exciting times!

@loopylocks sorry for your DS's disappointment- the GF aspect is an extra kicker. I guess you know they will move on with life and all will he well- but at 18 it doesn't feel like that.

So many many congrats for those who have offer and sorry to hear about the no

That's great @Justforchristmas .

@loopylocks that was me a fortnight ago. I really stewed over DD2 - she had all 9s at GSCE, four A stars predicted, an OK personal statement, not a super competitive course. It all felt like it was due to one bad interview and hers was a course that pre pools so there are no second chances with another college. I was really surprised how much I dwelled on it despite knowing rationally how random it is.

Two weeks on, I'm really excited for her other options and I can say with utter certainty that her life will not be in any way impoverished by going to another excellent university and she won't have those stupid 8 week terms.

And I could not be more proud of her attitude. She's admitted that she was upset when she heard about DD1 but she got over herself. I just think she's going to do brilliantly with such a positive outlook (DD1 would not have taken the reverse with such fortitude).

Ooh any advice welcome! DD got an offer today from M. Edwards and we're obviously delighted! But dd is v worried about its being an all girls' college!

Has anyone heard from Oxford about the TSA results yet? We’ve read that each college notifies by the end of January but as that’s tomorrow I’m just wondering if we’ve missed something

Many congratulations to those with offers. And commiserations too. It is much more of a rollercoaster. DD was pooled but not fished a few years ago and DS is v happy but also gutted for his friend who he has known since nursery and was always noticeably a length ahead of his peers.

Congrats to everyone who got an offer today and commiserations to those who were unsuccessful. I wanted to share that my DD got an offer from Cambridge today having been rejected last year. She was always going to take a gap year but after lots of discussion decided to reapply. She’s absolutely delighted she did and she’s far more mature and comfortable with the process this time around. So for anyone thinking about it, it’s worth considering if you’re having a gap year anyway. I told her I was proud of her whatever the outcome but most of all for trying again and working hard to try and get what she wanted to achieve. V proud DM this evening!!

Not yet for MAT or January TMUA either @Treviarpelli

Congratulations to your DD and please tell her not to worry too much about the all women side of things. It's more like living in an all girls hall of residence than a single sex boarding school. It's as far away from a stuffy, no men environment as you can imagine. She just won't have to share a bathroom or kitchen with any boys and there were fewer drunk sporty types singing in the bar. Male friends and boyfriends were always welcome with no issues.

I had a lovely 4 years at New Hall (as it was before the endowment). We had the best, friendliest Porters and very much the best kitchen facilities. The accommodation was always warm and cosy, no ancient drafty rooms. There are all the usual college societies, events and formals.

Lots of your DDs life will also be out of college, in her department, at uni level clubs and activities, so all of those will naturally be mixed. I spent most of my life in the archaeology coffee room or the ADC Theatre.

Because I read quite a small subject, we even shared supervisions with two other colleges. So, it really was just the accommodation that was girls only for me.

Exactly the same for me at Newnham, we were teamed with Kings for supervisions so mixed sex. And female only accommodation was great re not having to run into a 'mistake' in the bathroom later on! And going to breakfast in your dressing gown if you fancied it. My friends came from lots of other colleges, and all different subjects.

I was at New Hall too back in the day, at a time when the college had a separate entrance exam aimed at the less privileged (ie state schooled) and in those days we really were a minority at the university. Girls too in general, very much so. I’m talking absolutely ancient history (ca 1980)!
But yes it’s a nice place to be, nice grounds, friendly unassuming, a bit out of town, which can be refreshing, but not far.
After 1st year you often took group class even individual supervisions in other (in those days male) colleges.
Staff were good too in my subject Eng Lit, but they will have retired now I’m assuming.
V best of luck to your DD, it’s a different world out there now & she should have a fab time.