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Original poster

oxbridge and module resits - Do they know?

92 replies

NotAnOtter · 12/03/2009 20:27

DS has got his AS results today from the modules he sat in January

They are all fine ...apart form one and we knew it was not going to be great

we had asked that ds not take it as he had really not grasped mechanics and had asked to move class . Unfortunately they insisted that as he was set one he take it - despite the three other sets not taking it until may/june.

Anyway whats done is done.

The results as a whole were not fabulous for mechanics and school are advising re-sitting the module for the majority.

I would be fine with this had i not read on here that oxbridge will know - if they are re sits.....

Any advice or knowledge on the subject gratefully received.

If he is repeating they need to know by Monday latest!

OP posts:
Original poster
NotAnOtter · 17/03/2009 22:31

just thought to 'watch this thread' for future reference!

OP posts:
Original poster
NotanOtter · 25/03/2009 20:40

update!

Today i have been told that Oxford never request module grades but Cambridge do???? Any one shed any light on vailidity of this?

My 'source'(!) also tells me Oxford will not request A* for at least 2 years!

OP posts:
bagsforlife · 26/03/2009 09:34

When they were using just the 'paper' applications (up until last year), I can confirm that Oxford did not ask for module results but Cambridge did, and Cambridge still ask for them 'online' now.

Am afraid don't know about Oxford..... watch this space! (Might be able to find out for you).

senua · 26/03/2009 13:01

NAO, I believe that generally Oxford and Cambridge have different systems.
For example for Maths, Cambridge will look at GCSE / AS / predicted A2 and invite most applicants (who self-select) for interview. If they like you then they will make an offer based on getting the required A Level results plus the extra STEP exam at the end of Y13.
Oxford set their entrance exam early in Y13 (again entrants are self-selecting) and, based on that, will invite the top 80% for interview. They will then be given an offer requiring only A Levels results. End of. If a student has done very well at AS then it is not a big ask at A2 to get the overall A Level grade (at the moment. Hence the need for the new A*).
Thus Oxford get an early insight into the students capabilities from their own entrance exam and therefore do not need to place so much reliance on external AS results.

However, this system is not universal (eg there is no entrance exam in Fine Art for Oxford) and, in your case, both Oxford and Cambridge require a 'before' exam, the BMAT in November.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 26/03/2009 21:09

thankyou both for that

senua I am unsure what you mean by 'self select' is that - they choose when to sit it?

I am encouraging ds to sit stuff sooner rather than later so that he can concentrate on A2's

He is swinging between Oxford/Cambridge atm - his school entry to both was poor this year (4 offers out of 20 applicants iirc) but more to oxford than cambridge so hence Oxford the current favourite.

Am I right in thinking - if they ask for module results then he only need give highest grade gained? iykwim?

OP posts:
senua · 26/03/2009 21:55

Sorry for not being clear on 'self-select'.
Universities often give the ratio of aplicants to offers and Oxbridge's are quite low. So for instance you might have 20 applicants for each place to study at Redbrick Uni but only 5 for each place to study at Oxbridge (figures entirely made up, for illustrative purposes). This is because a lot of kids think that Oxbridge will never give them an offer so they don't even bother applying in the first place: this is what I mean by the kids self-selecting themselves.
Oxbridge can afford the time and effort necessary for interviewing nearly all the applications received precisely because no-hopers tend not to apply.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 26/03/2009 22:18

i seeeeee senua!

Thanks for that

You are so knowledgable and it really helps!

OP posts:
brimfull · 26/03/2009 22:37

OOH that's the application rate that's published in university guides.
Oxfords med school rate is 13% other course 24%
Cambs med school rate is 18% other courses 23%

I got those figures from the recent virgin uni guide btw.

As a comparison the application rate for Bristol med school is 9%

senua · 26/03/2009 22:46

I'm not really knowledgable, I've just had a few friends go through it recently. I feel a real fraud (so at least my info is current!) and keep hoping that some of the professionals who do know what they are talking about will come and take over.

senua · 26/03/2009 22:48

(so though at least my info is current!)

Original poster
NotanOtter · 26/03/2009 23:38

interestingly - materials science and chemistry close to 50% at oxford!

Tried to convince ds but he was having none of it

OP posts:
MrsGuyOfGisbourne · 27/03/2009 09:56

if he wants to study medicine, why are you trying to persuade him to apply for materials science? Just to get into oxford ?

lazymumofteenagesons · 27/03/2009 10:24

Mrsguy you'd be surprised how many people (parents) look at the whole process strategically. ie. which course/college do they stand a better chance of getting into. They publish all these stats in the oxford gazette showing by type of school, male/female etc etc. I do know people who seem to have played the system very affectively. However, my kids are not as compliant as that and don't take a blind bit of notice of what I say anyway!

BoffinMum · 27/03/2009 17:17

Senua has sent me over here - I do Cambridge admissions for one of the most popular colleges and one of the most popular courses, (but I haven't had any briefings on the A* thing yet, before you ask).

I would not stress too much about this. We realise people are human, and our mindset is looking for reasons to admit people, rather than reasons not to. Many applicants have the odd lower AS mark or resit, alongside many better ones. What matters to us is the bigger picture. If you have any concerns then just make a note in the box on the form so we know it was taken early or whatever.

As far as the A thing is concerned, unless we get a central diktat, I will just carry on as before really, looking at the whole person and trying to work out whether they would really benefit from our teaching, and cope OK on the course. An A would be icing on the cake, but I would always bear in mind the schools different applicants go to and so on. We read absolutely everything on the form and pay close attention to it. It's not all about an apparently perfect academic history.

Original poster
NotanOtter · 27/03/2009 20:56

mrs guy of gisbourne have a sense of humour

OP posts:
Original poster
NotanOtter · 27/03/2009 22:12

lazymumofteenage sons

i agree

try as I might i seem to hame bred single minded young beasts

BoffinMum

Thanks for your input and reassurance

It is in the lap of the gods so i am trying to chill. I do believe ds to have an added extra that could be the spark needed to get him in so I shall just try to relax

He can be a wee bit exasperated with my worrying and i do have 5 other little otters to worry about so I think i shall now re kindle the laissez faire attitude to his education that has served me so well to date!

I shall keep this thread on 'watched' and try to keep all of you who have been so kind as to offer me help and advice - informed of progress!

OP posts:
Ponders · 27/03/2009 22:26

NAO, are Oxford and/or Cambridge the best universities for medicine anyway? Mightn't he be better looking at London colleges or provincial teaching hospitals?

Original poster
NotanOtter · 27/03/2009 22:36

Ponders -He is quite focused on Oxbridge and tbh i have been discouraging london because of costs

he also likes the Scottish universities although i am not sure edinburgh will take well to being second....

OP posts:
Ponders · 27/03/2009 22:37

Newcastle has an excellent med school...so does Leeds...

Original poster
NotanOtter · 27/03/2009 22:39

Yes he is thinking both of those oddly!!

We live near the latter so I am delighted!

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scienceteacher · 28/03/2009 06:35

NaO - the Universities have no idea which other places the student applied to, or where they rank. The rank is only something in teh student's own mind.

Edinburgh is an excellent place to go to university.

It is very important in the whole process for the student to first pick the course he wants to do, and then figure out where to do it. The choice should not be made the other way around.

senua · 28/03/2009 09:31

NAO can you contact me on
senua dot minerva at googlemail dot com

Original poster
NotanOtter · 29/03/2009 21:27

thankyou all so much for great help and advice

is anyone else going through this?

OP posts:
BORDER · 28/09/2009 11:16

Hi there everyone. My daughter got one mark off an A in A2 maths (she did this in year 12 as she is doing further maths in year 13). She is from a state school where few students apply for Oxbridge and she thinks she will not be good enough for Cambridge (who ask for AAA) and it may not be worth applying (although she visited one of the colleges and would like to be in with a chance). What she'd like to know is if she does apply does she have to declare her Cores 3 and 4 AS grades on the Cambridge form as she has not certified them yet and hopes to improve to get the A*? Would be grateful if anyone knows the answer. It's a minefield out there.

snorkie · 28/09/2009 11:55

I think , & this is heresay so hopefully someone else will be along to confirm/deny, that Cambridge do ask to see all module results but Oxford don't.

It's probably worth her retaking to get the A* anyway. What subject is she applying for?

Didn't the Oxbridge applications have to be in last week though?