Oxbridge applications 2027 entry

[Justlurkingmostly]

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

Might be a bit late now but the CamScanner phone app is amazing for creating PDFs, merging documents etc. There is an annual fee of (I think) about £30 but it is far better than our feed it in physical printer / scanner.

I wouldn’t even know where to start with pdf merging 🫨

Depsite all best efforts Dd is shaping up to be just like her mother - handing in essays at the last gasp before the deadline 🤦‍♀️

Is it normal not to receive an email from the college confirming that it has received the written work etc? Ours sent in a few days ago but nothing to confirm. Hopefully they got it! Or perhaps DC should send an email to check?

I think I saw an email from St John’s saying ‘don’t ask if we’ve got your application, we’ll tell you if we haven’t’, or words to that effect. Their tone has been pretty pissy, to be frank.

Re PDF legging, DS had to submit two compositions, marked up by his teacher. Which teacher had sent as PDFs. He then had to merge those with the relevant cover sheet, also a PDF.

is this for English @herbaceous My DD had similar work submission requirements. I'm also massively questioning our college choice. I made the mistake of discovering the link to the Cambridge admissions data yesterday (wish I hadn't gone there!) and found that her choice (Clare) seems to get way more applications per offers than almost every other college, which sent me into a bit of stress spiral, as she didn't really know which college and I kind of steered her there because I liked the vibe. I know the Winter Pool etc etc and good students do well whatever the college they apply, but I keep hearing that private school kids (my DD) less likely to be fished from pool, which is totally fair enough, as they may do better in interview, BUT it's making me feel gloomy... I had to have a firm talk with myself, get a grip, some perspective on the whole thing. So many other things in life matter more, and she'll also have a fab time at Edinburgh (second choice, although no offer yet). Right, rant over... thanks for listening

@Jane077 I hear you - so tricky to know what to do for the best and at the end of the day it’s a roll of the dice for all them. They’re all no doubt very clever and hard working. If your DD doesn’t get in this year but still feels she really wants to go she can work hard for A levels and then try again next time at a different college or at oxford.

Or if she’s not that bothered and likes her second choice as well, go there and have a good time.

Our DCs are all in a massively strong position being both clever and also having supportive families, whatever happens with an Oxbridge application they’re all going to end up somewhere good. 😊

thanks @BumpyaDaisyevnaexactly the kind of common sense attitude I need a dose of...

@Jane077 Oh I know. It's a nightmare. I was pushing for Clare, as liked the vibe, but DS chose St John's as has smaller number of applicants per place (music). He doesn't massively want to be pooled, as wants college with top-tier chapel choir.

Anyone still needing to merge pdfs there is a free website called ilovepdf which does it and more.

@summernameandthelivingiseasyCan you tell I'm not really a natural boarding school parent? I would have been much happier if she'd done all this at home.

My DD did do it at home but worked it out herself using AI. I think if they are going to survive going to Uni alone, they'd better be able to handle these things alone too (or ask for help if required).

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know, there are now a load of interview preparation resources on the STEP Support Programme website (see https://step.maths.org/interview-preparation/overview) These have been produced with Cambridge Maths interviews in mind, but feedback we have had from previous years is that they are also useful for NatSci/Engineering/CompSci interviews (and even possibly for Oxford interviews as well!).

There are lots of example interview questions, some with videos of Cambridge undergraduates attempting them as if they are being interviewed for real.

We are also going to hold a webinar on Wednesday 25th November - again aimed at Cambridge Maths applicants but might also be of interest to others. In this webinar we will have current Cambridge undergrads answering questions about the interview process (just to manage expectations, we won't have a representative from every different college). For webinar sign up see https://step.maths.org/events .

I'm happy to be tagged in any questions about Interviews or STEP, or you can email the STEP Support Programme directly (email address is at the bottom of the SSP homepage)

Good luck to all of your DC!

Admission numbers can vary wildly year on year for colleges, so I would not worry too much about high numbers last year. That is why Cambridge have the pool system so that colleges that for some reason get more excellent candidates than they can make offers to can pass those candidates to other colleges that had a lot fewer good applicants than usual.

Honestly, ignore the admissions statistics from previous years. Each year people apply to the college with the lowest number of applicants the previous year thinking they stand more of a chance and, surprise surprise, it boosts the numbers significantly. The only exceptions really are Murray Edwards (because it’s all female, not central and less aesthetically pleasing) and Girton because it’s so far out of town.

There’s also the TikTok effect with certain colleges being significantly more visible. Please also remember that great private school applicants still do get places - there is no active discrimination (approx 30% have been privately educated at Cambridge vs only 6% of the school population). They categorically do not take weaker candidates simply because someone went to state school. It’s down to your young person to prove they are worthy of a place, regardless of their education.

I also know of someone who works in admissions at one college (not the one DD has applied to or the same subject so no “cheating” going on 😂😂). The pooling system works exceptionally well where colleges are oversubscribed. You also find that there are little mini groups within the pool - so pooled applicants from Emma quite often end up at Clare as they have a similar vibe, for example. They are also sifting through huge numbers of applications right now and properly reading personal statements, references, submitted work etc. Whilst the PDF thing sounds like a nightmare for students it makes the review process so much more efficient their end having everything in the same format.

Thank you!! That's fantastic, will get son signed up for webinar - though all depends on TMUA score - 12 days to go!

Impossible to work out for maths too, as they're using TMUA to shortlist for interviews for the first time.

I don't like not knowing the data!

Think around 16-18% of sixth formers in England/Wales were at an independent school...?

@countessofmonte Even in that case privately educated students are significantly disproportionately represented at Cambridge. 16% vs 30%. Going to private school does not close doors to admission.

Yes, although of course in reality, many of the applicants from independents to Cambridge (and Oxford) went to selective schools/sixth forms, so difficult to compare - i.e. these students who apply to Oxbridge would likely have excelled in state school too.

Cambridge use school performance quintiles as part of its contextual assessment. Quintiles divide pupils into five groups according to attainment, with the top quintile representing the highest-achieving 20% from the school that they attend…
This is to assess how strongly an applicant has performed relative to their educational background.

First time posting on this thread, but DD has been offered an interview at Cambridge (Kings) for Psychology. Seems super early, we weren’t expecting to hear anything until nearer the end of the month so has come as a bit of a (lovely) surprise. All very new to us so wondering what I can do to support her now in preparing

@BeSillyRedHelper that’s amazing!! Well done to your DD! No advice as this is totally new to us but wanted to congratulate her on getting an interview - you must be so proud.

Such great news! My DD is interested in this course, but she has 2 years to go until it's her turn! Were there any assessments or extra submissions, out of interest?
I also heard of someone getting invited to interview for Philosophy at King's today too.

DS is still waiting on signed cover sheets so he can do his pdf merging, but the Oxford deadline is next week.

Thank you! No, no additional assessments or anything. I think maybe one or two colleges had them but not many

Ooh exciting!! First interview of the thread - and well done Kings - most organised college award!

Oh well done to your DD @BeSillyRedHelper! How exciting for her!