Oxbridge applications 2027 entry

[Justlurkingmostly]

Starting up a new thread for anyone whose YP might be applying this autumn for entry next year!

ESAT done here too but hard to know how it went. Maths 1 ok, Maths 2 not as hard as she initially found past questions but still tricky, Physics very wordy so tough.

Wondering why it will take a month to receive results of a multichoice online test?!

We seem to have become caught in the world's least professional altercation between a new headteacher and the head of sixth form, who normally sends the UCAS forms. Apparently the Head wanted to read early entries first, and when DD asked why hers hadn't been sent the head of sixth sent a message saying she 'wasn't able to work as independently as she had in the past and obviously would have liked to send it before now'. the Headteacher says its ready by email but is away, and despite this the Head of Sixth Form seems not to have pressed the button. So we're in limbo

DD is stressed as she needs to send MyCambridge and Durham forms and it's half term on Friday and we're going away. Head of Sixth Form says she won't help her because 'it'll be holidays'. Which we're fine with but it all feels so childish.

Just press the sodding button!

As I understand it, the questions in each paper are drawn from a pool with different questions for each sitting. There is a lot of number-crunching around grade-boundaries for each sitting of each topic to ensure that if one paper was easier or harder than the other days, it all comes out in the wash. But the wait is very frustrating!

Similar here, received 8.01am the day after school submitted it the previous morning.

@summernameandthelivingiseasy that sounds really stressful. i have been surprised to feel so wrapped up in this whole thing - I'm sure it was easier when I was at school and my parents definitely had no involvement. There are still a few days left, thankfully, before 15th so hopefully your headteacher/head of sixth form will come good. Also, when you said Durham forms, my heart slightly sank. is there an extra layer of process for Durham too? on top of the basic UCAS application?
Thanks others too for reassurance about how quickly the MyCambridge link comes in, that's a big relief

there doesn't have to be @Jane077 but DD is applying for two different durham courses so they give you the option of a second statement. But you've only three days to write it.

And I quite agree. It was never like this in my day.

Already very stressed for next year reading this thread 😬 I also don't remember my application (what feels like centuries ago) being this stressful. I was applying from abroad and both me and my parents (and my school) were totally clueless, so pretty much just winged it. Still got an interview, so hopefully all the YP who put so much effort in on this thread will get in. Wishing everyone good luck!

It seems to be in. I feel so much better!

Glad to hear! I was 🤔 at your description of the lack of unified front by your DC’s school. Unprofessional as you say.

she's just had to pick her subjects for Durham Liberal Arts - wasn't expecting that? Guess they need to know what people are hoping for.

We are in same boat. The first notification that the application is with the school has finally come through.

I'm assuming they will put it in before the deadline, it would’ve been better not to cut it so fine.

Same here - no need for additional statement though as subjects chosen are the same as combined honours elsewhere!

our DC are in competition!

@wigywhoo - I did refer to it as 'the degree for people who can't make up their minds' but it does look fabulous (if competitive). DD has used two of her five slots for Durham. Music looks less of a stretch.

First conservatoire audition date has come through too. Just to add to the pressure!

Question about quick offers…
those YP who got an “on hold” can I ask is that on UCAS or was it an email from the uni saying we are considering your application and we get loads blah blah? DD has had a confirmation email from Bath and then a second one saying the latter but doesn’t say specifically decision is on hold, just the usual bumf about usually make decisions once all applications in. School submitted late Friday so it’s early days but I’m sure older DD got offers straight away from the same unis (bath, Bristol, Exeter) albeit for a different course. I appreciate there are all sorts of factors involved. I was just hoping for at least one acceptance to calm the nerves!

Good luck everyone sitting admissions tests this week!

Bristol “on hold” came as an email from the university two days after applying - nothing on UCAS.

A lot of this depends on both the course and university. I know York and Sheffield have sent out some offers already. A girl at my daughters school who wants to study something very obscure has two offers already but one of these only had 60 applicants in total last year 😂😂

My daughter was also hoping for an early offer from one of her choices given she is way above the standard offer when it comes to grades. I think there’s an acknowledgment though that her subject is highly competitive and no news is good news!

I can confirm that it depends massively on the course, as at most universities admissions are run by the individual departments. (Teacher and UCAS adviser for many, many, years!)

Daughter just come out of ESAT and feeling a little deflated. Said it was very hard and the questions were quite different to past ENGAA etc papers available online. Not expecting great things in terms of scores as a result.

Sorry to hear that @RatherBeOnVacation , my son has just done his too and was similar, he doesn’t think he has done that well, and said the physics was really hard (plus he was desperate for the toilet by then!)

It was also really annoying that having been told to be there at least 30 min before, the test centre turned out not to even be open until 15 min before!

ESAT done here as well. Glad it’s over and done with now - what will be will be!

Wished son luck for TMUA this morning - turns out it's on Thursday and I had the wrong day in my head!!!
But November 16th can't come soon enough so we can start adjusting expectations!

Say he did terribly, I know he can't remove his Cambridge application but could he change others?

@justteanbiscuits You can only make changes 14 days after submission of your form. This is why my daughter has only used four choices on her form at present. Waiting to see her ESAT score before deciding on whether to apply to Imperial or not.

Good luck to those taking entrance tests. DS had to take the TMUA and MAT last year. They were both quite different so I’m pleased to see that Oxford have dropped the MAT in favour of the TMUA this year. Being able to focus on one set of preparation is much better.

FWIW, DS got a very quick offer from Warwick but waited ages (end of March) to hear from LSE. Manchester and Bath were just before Christmas. He didn’t get an interview with Oxford.

It’s a very exciting time!

DD did ESAT this morning, unlike your test centre @Eccle80 , she started early so soon after arriving. There was only one invigilator who was also manning the door so she couldn’t get extra whiteboards when she needed them etc. Anyway, she isn’t very hopeful, couldn’t work quickly enough and had to guess to many answers. She’s feeling very relieved though and says she is happy to go a different uni, which after a stressful weekend, I’m so pleased to hear!

She still has to work towards the interview, just in case apparently, as there won’t be time to fully prepare if they wait until they know if they’ve got one. She means on the technical questions they might ask, but it seems like so much more work to me. They are a determined bunch aren’t they?

An old boy from school, who’s currently at Cambridge, called to give them all a pep talk yesterday and did say it’s not for everyone, and they will still love other unis. Quite kind of him, I thought.

So, he could remove a couple and add them later? But not change ones already on there?!

Details here: https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/making-changes-to-your-application-after-you-apply

i think students often only add Oxbridge for maths at this stage and then wait to see how TMUA goes before adding others. Otherwise it could be a waste applying for places like Imperial who also use it!