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[LeDix]

I am starting this thread in response to my DD's not receiving an offer from Oxford yesterday. She is disappointed, but hasn't taken it too badly, so that could be worse I suppose. Trouble is she gave so little thought to other universities, and her UCAS application was so specific to the course at Oxford we are a little bit worried that she might not even get other offers. Her second choice would be Durham but the course there is very very different to the one at Oxford, so we could imagine them reading her personal statement and rejecting her out of hand!

Classics had been "recruiting" (I.e. not over subscribed) for a good few years. They're the same this year.

@NorthEastFartHead interesting - but only a 60pc acceptance rate?

Sorry quoted wrong pp!

Just to add the grad ceremony in Durham Cathedral was fab. 3 course meal for grad and family in college too for £20pp.

Feeling a bit like my DS should have applied to Durham now - it sounds fab! Completely the opposite end of the country for us though and there was no way we could make it there before the UCAS deadline. Maybe one to look at this year in case he does reapply although we were put off by it being such a small city.

@PotimarronDurham does have similar vibes to Oxford in that it’s pretty, small, lots of old buildings etc but imo is much nicer. Like a couple of other posters on here we live fairly close to Oxford & know it well and out of the 2, I much prefer Durham. Far less touristy and Oxford always seems to have roadworks / building works going on which is annoying.
I would say it’s definitely worth a look if old buildings and a small feel is his vibe - around 50% of students there are Oxbridge rejections so he would be in good company. As I mentioned upthread, Dd and her friends all feel they dodged a bullet and are having a wonderful time.

The size was a bonus for us as although we were 4 hours away, it felt less scary. Though often got a 10 min train to Newcastle for bigger nights out.

My ds was rejected from Oxford after interviews and is now regretting his other choices. He put Edinburgh and York but now wants to try and get into Durham through clearing. Anyone have experience of this .. seems like a very long shot!

There were a few places in Clearing last year but they went quickly. Realistically he'd probably have to look at a gap year.

Interestingly re Durham my dd was accepted for Cambridge 3 years ago but didn’t get an offer from Durham!

It depends on the subject. There were definitely Maths and Physics places last year.

Two things to bear in mind:

1. it’s a bit like a first break up, heart breaking at the time but afterwards you recover and realise they weren’t the one for you after all

2. it’s not personal - well obviously it does feel so to you - but admissions are like a jigsaw and you were one piece in it. It doesn’t make you any less worthy or intelligent just that for that particular year /cohort you didn’t fit the big picture.

Sure good things are round the corner for you & your DC 💐

History and Politics

Not sure about those subjects, I’m sure someone on here will be able to advise.

Any other Mathematicians waiting on offers?

@LeDix. With all truthfulness she needs to be realistic about all universities, even Oxford will have plenty of students that aren’t very engaged, it’s not like a Hollywood movie. All universities but especially the elite ones have a proportion of students using the university experience as a finishing school, obviously they are bright but mostly they were prepped very well by their private schools. It’s a shame but interviews seem to not screen very well for those who know what to say. I also know several people who applied with 3 a*’s in the bag and turned down as if they weren’t interested in them, all went to state sixth form colleges

I agree. My DC has 12 grade 9 GCSEs, 5 grade A* A levels with 100% in three of them and was just rejected by Oxford. DC is a typical young person, loves learning but loves playing hard too, super brain-no idea where from 😆. State school. DC has accepted they were not what Oxford were looking for and has already moved on and is hopeful they’ll get offers from their 2nd and 3rd choice before they head off travelling mates.

Yes, 1 rejection from Oxford, 1 offer from Southampton, now waiting on Warwick, Bath and Bristol.

I am really taking on board that she shouldn't idealise Oxbridge in her head!

@LeDix I hope your DD is feeling better a week on from the news. My DS is channelling all his energy into his mocks and seems ok about it all - he is sick of talking about Oxford and the future, understandably!

@hahagogomomo Many ordinary private schools don’t prep well at all! They often have one or two getting in occasionally and certainly less than many state grammars or high achieving comps. My DD had virtually nothing and nothing worthwhile apart from 2 teachers. In fact the Deputy head said she was wasting her time and that of Oxford! Obviously a shit person and had not realised that it’s not just about pure academics. DD was no genius.

One thing that might count are how dc engage with academics. How does dc think? Are they teachable in the Oxford style? Can they engage in the interview without being prepped because it’s very difficult to guess what they will ask? Can they work things out or are they just taught to the test?

Years ago now, but DD had the morning doing tests on interview day. She picked up from other candidates that they were familiar with the poem they were given but she wasn’t. She was, however, able to translate most of it and converse with the lecturers about it. I assume sensibly. It is not a given that those prepped are better at all but I do think you need to be able to engage with them and not just rely on your brilliance at passing exams. They are not necessarily the same thing.

I agree, however even those that engage well get rejected. My DC engaged well and was pleased with how all the interviews went. They were challenged and enjoyed it and asked probing questions etc. Sometimes you are just not what they are looking for in a pool of amazing applicants.

@AprilMay75Oh yes. That definitely happens and of course some subjects are taking 33% of applicants and others 10% or less.

I am reminded of Irwin’s line from The History Boys. “Me? I’d go to Newcastle and be happy!”

The smartest student in my year group got into Cambridge but they found it so academically challenging that they made few friends there and judging from Facebook it wasn’t great for their mental health even though they came out with a good degree. I went to a top 20 Russell Group university, got a First, and had time for a bit of student politics and socialising.

Years on from UCAS I realise it all matters much less than it did at the time. Speaking to my late twenties/ early thirties friendship group recently we were all in agreement we had over-estimated the importance of education in determining our future success. We had all underestimated the role the housing crisis would play – the ability to access London’s jobs market might hinge more on BOMAD support rather than your ability in the exam hall.

That might be because your friends are not high achievers though @Captcha4903. Many careers require a degree. Teaching, engineers, solicitors and most finance jobs. A first from a top 20 RG isn’t a passport to a high paying London job I’m afraid. However it was good enough to get you a job. My DD earns a lot in London but wanted that life. Others don’t and fair enough but a degree from a RG still puts you in a good position over most without degrees.