Yeah, OK, I'm only boasting really but ..

[TomGoodheart 402]

.. my daughter has an interview for Oxford Uni. Yeah, it's not such a big deal because they tend to interview almost everyone that remembers to fill in the form correctly and pick a course that they actually offer. And competition is still fierce and even if she were lucky enough to get an offer she'd still need to get the required exam grades, but ..

hey, it's three nights accomodation and board for free!

We're (Wifey and I) very proud (and kinda scared too!) That's all. Carry on.

[Colin G. 147]

.. my daughter has an interview for Oxford Uni. Yeah, it's not such a big deal because they tend to interview almost everyone that remembers to fill in the form correctly and pick a course that they actually offer. And competition is still fierce and even if she were lucky enough to get an offer she'd still need to get the required exam grades, but ..

hey, it's three nights accomodation and board for free!

We're (Wifey and I) very proud (and kinda scared too!) That's all. Carry on.

Understandable to be proud, that is a great achievement

[Peter 615]

.. my daughter has an interview for Oxford Uni. Yeah, it's not such a big deal because they tend to interview almost everyone that remembers to fill in the form correctly and pick a course that they actually offer. And competition is still fierce and even if she were lucky enough to get an offer she'd still need to get the required exam grades, but ..

hey, it's three nights accomodation and board for free!

We're (Wifey and I) very proud (and kinda scared too!) That's all. Carry on.

I take it that your wifey is very intelligent.

[Rob 3,152]

That's good. She has passed the first test by actually applying. Strange as it may seem, historically some of the courses aren't oversubscribed to the extent that similar courses at other universities are because fewer potential students apply thinking they will be rejected on ability or whatever. OK, it might be the difference between 5 or 6 times oversubscribed compared to 9 or 10, but the minds of some students and presumably their peers and teachers constitute a bit of a problem in this area. It mostly boils down to self belief.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Rob

[TomGoodheart 402]

That's good. She has passed the first test by actually applying. Strange as it may seem, historically some of the courses aren't oversubscribed to the extent that similar courses at other universities are because fewer potential students apply thinking they will be rejected on ability or whatever. OK, it might be the difference between 5 or 6 times oversubscribed compared to 9 or 10, but the minds of some students and presumably their peers and teachers constitute a bit of a problem in this area. It mostly boils down to self belief.

Yes. I'm mostly proud of the fact that she has confidence in her abilities. She has offers from other universities so I'm sure will end up somewhere decent, but one from Oxford would be nice!

I take it that your wifey is very intelligent.

How did you guess?

[Rob 3,152]

That's good. She has passed the first test by actually applying. Strange as it may seem, historically some of the courses aren't oversubscribed to the extent that similar courses at other universities are because fewer potential students apply thinking they will be rejected on ability or whatever. OK, it might be the difference between 5 or 6 times oversubscribed compared to 9 or 10, but the minds of some students and presumably their peers and teachers constitute a bit of a problem in this area. It mostly boils down to self belief.

Yes. I'm mostly proud of the fact that she has confidence in her abilities. She has offers from other universities so I'm sure will end up somewhere decent, but one from Oxford would be nice!

Depends on what she wants to do. If Oxford or wherever offers the best course or is run by the person with the best reputation in her chosen field, then that is where she should aim for.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Rob

[TomGoodheart 402]

Depends on what she wants to do. If Oxford or wherever offers the best course or is run by the person with the best reputation in her chosen field, then that is where she should aim for.

Applicants can pick five universities to apply to. I think each of her choices has a good reputation and offers positives. Oxford has the advantage of being known worldwide, handy as she's doing languages and wants to travel. Plus accomodation is cheap(er)! Personally, I liked Nottingham as they seem to have thought more about how to arrange the year abroad and charge less for it. But in the end it has to be somewhere she feels comfortable, I guess and the few days spent at interview will give her a chance to find out a bit more from current students.

[Rob 3,152]

Depends on what she wants to do. If Oxford or wherever offers the best course or is run by the person with the best reputation in her chosen field, then that is where she should aim for.

Applicants can pick five universities to apply to. I think each of her choices has a good reputation and offers positives. Oxford has the advantage of being known worldwide, handy as she's doing languages and wants to travel. Plus accomodation is cheap(er)! Personally, I liked Nottingham as they seem to have thought more about how to arrange the year abroad and charge less for it. But in the end it has to be somewhere she feels comfortable, I guess and the few days spent at interview will give her a chance to find out a bit more from current students.

My daughter finished at Nottingham last year and I know a few others who also went there - all spoke enthusiastically of their time there, but all were into medicine or sciences. I don't know any of her former schoolfriends who did languages, so wouldn't like to offer an opinion, but as long as they are red brick universities she'll be ok.

[Accumulator 52]

Depends on what she wants to do. If Oxford or wherever offers the best course or is run by the person with the best reputation in her chosen field, then that is where she should aim for.

Applicants can pick five universities to apply to. I think each of her choices has a good reputation and offers positives. Oxford has the advantage of being known worldwide, handy as she's doing languages and wants to travel. Plus accomodation is cheap(er)! Personally, I liked Nottingham as they seem to have thought more about how to arrange the year abroad and charge less for it. But in the end it has to be somewhere she feels comfortable, I guess and the few days spent at interview will give her a chance to find out a bit more from current students.

My daughter finished at Nottingham last year and I know a few others who also went there - all spoke enthusiastically of their time there, but all were into medicine or sciences. I don't know any of her former schoolfriends who did languages, so wouldn't like to offer an opinion, but as long as they are red brick universities she'll be ok.

I have a nephew who recently studied linguistics at Oxford (Hertford). Whilst It comes down to college and course, Oxbridge (live Harvard, Yale etc.) still have the name and reputation which carries so much weight, particularly overseas

[argentumandcoins 70]

Depends on what she wants to do. If Oxford or wherever offers the best course or is run by the person with the best reputation in her chosen field, then that is where she should aim for.

Applicants can pick five universities to apply to. I think each of her choices has a good reputation and offers positives. Oxford has the advantage of being known worldwide, handy as she's doing languages and wants to travel. Plus accomodation is cheap(er)! Personally, I liked Nottingham as they seem to have thought more about how to arrange the year abroad and charge less for it. But in the end it has to be somewhere she feels comfortable, I guess and the few days spent at interview will give her a chance to find out a bit more from current students.

My daughter finished at Nottingham last year and I know a few others who also went there - all spoke enthusiastically of their time there, but all were into medicine or sciences. I don't know any of her former schoolfriends who did languages, so wouldn't like to offer an opinion, but as long as they are red brick universities she'll be ok.

I have a nephew who recently studied linguistics at Oxford (Hertford). Whilst It comes down to college and course, Oxbridge (live Harvard, Yale etc.) still have the name and reputation which carries so much weight, particularly overseas

Does not do any harm if you fancy working for MI6 either. Apparently if you don't have a degree (especially an oxbridge version) you are far too thick to work in the intelligence service

[DaveG38 405]

Depends on what she wants to do. If Oxford or wherever offers the best course or is run by the person with the best reputation in her chosen field, then that is where she should aim for.

Applicants can pick five universities to apply to. I think each of her choices has a good reputation and offers positives. Oxford has the advantage of being known worldwide, handy as she's doing languages and wants to travel. Plus accomodation is cheap(er)! Personally, I liked Nottingham as they seem to have thought more about how to arrange the year abroad and charge less for it. But in the end it has to be somewhere she feels comfortable, I guess and the few days spent at interview will give her a chance to find out a bit more from current students.

I'm an Oxford man myself - matriculated in 1969 and went down in 1974 and, apart from Cambridge, I don't think that other Unis can hold a candle to these two. The reason for me is the college system, which makes each college a very personal and friendly place as compared to a large sprawling campus. Furthermore, it was a requirement for freshers to live in college in the first year, something again which bonds you to the place and the people in the formative first year. Oxford Uni IS largely the city centre and so you are right in the heart of things, plus there's access to the beautiful parks and the rivers etc. and many other facilities. It also has much rich tradition, something that may seem quaint and old fashioned, but is taken on board by students as a badge of pride - its difficult to explain unless you have been. Even the buildings inspire awe - my college was founded in 1314 and parts of it date back to the 1400s. Plus there's all the well known people who have gone before you - I was at Exeter and famous alumni included Richard Burton, Tolkien etc. In my first year I had the room previously inhabited by Tariq Ali - doesn't cut much ice now, but back then wow! Since then, I've done some courses at Kent Uni and believe me there's no comparison.

So, tell her to go for it and remember that its totally unlike any other Uni.

[TomGoodheart 402]

So, tell her to go for it and remember that its totally unlike any other Uni.

Well, she needs to get an offer and meet the A Level requirements, but yeah, I really liked the atmosphere when I visited. She's her sights on Wadham, but as you know, other colleges might interview her as well so who knows ..

I went to London and my college was in Regent's Park. Sadly it was sold by the University to raise funds in the 1980s and is now privately owned. I still have fond memories of picnics by the lake, wandering down Baker Street to Selfridges and playing tennis working very hard in the library for my Third.

[Gary D 76]

A chance to study at Oxford, go for it. It's better to have tried than always wonder what may have been. I'm a Cambridge man myself, well I did my degree as a mature student and my study centre was in Cambridge Receiving my degree in a ceremony in Ely Cathedral was a highlight. Our son has just finished his GCSEs and came in the top 5 at his school, I think he was about 3rd with 4A* 3A and 3B. He is now taking his A-levels at a sixth form college in Cambridge and it would be nice if he could carry on to a degree there also but Cambridge like Oxford the competition is fierce and entry expectations are very high.

[Red Riley 2]

Does not do any harm if you fancy working for MI6 either. Apparently if you don't have a degree (especially an oxbridge version) you are far too thick to work in the intelligence service

My daughter got a Masters in politics from Sheffield and she found this kind of attitude prevailing as soon as she left uni. Basically to work in the political field (as a researcher or whatever) you effectively needed an Oxbridge degree - which ever party you wanted to work for, so she had to settle for a role in a political charity - a decent job but not exactly what she wanted. So, if your daughter gets a chance of a degree at Oxford, she should take it with both hands.

Plus Tom, if I remember it is a reasonably short journey for you. With both kids at university in Yorkshire one after the other, I got soooooo sick of the M1!

[TomGoodheart 402]

Probably the Oxbridge thing is dependant on career choice. Daughter may well end up working for Lonely Planet or some trekking company in Central America, in which case I'm not sure it will make much odds so long as she's a good grasp of the language! But as I said, I liked the Oxford atmosphere and for me the experience is at last as important as the qualification she comes out with.

Our son has just finished his GCSEs and came in the top 5 at his school, I think he was about 3rd with 4A* 3A and 3B. He is now taking his A-levels at a sixth form college in Cambridge and it would be nice if he could carry on to a degree there also but Cambridge like Oxford the competition is fierce and entry expectations are very high.

Well, people think competition is fierce but I'm not sure it's actually fiercer than other decent unis. I suspect quite a few people are put off applying at all because of what they think it will be like. The course daughter has applied for there seem to be about four interviwees to each offered place. For economics, it's 13:1, so I think it very much depends on what course. Most unis will tell you how many applicants are going for how many places for a particular course and it's worth looking at (and possibly choosing a slightly different combination of subjects in some cases!)

What I would recommend Gary is if your son's keen on university, apply early. The closing date for Oxbridge, and medical/ vetinary schools is October, while other courses January. On the basis that daughter has received three offers already (and some of her friends are still waiting to submit applications), what's to be lost? Those offers she's received presumably reduce those available later on. Plus she can plan a bit earlier what she wants to do. The only problem might be getting tutors to write references early - some of daughter's friends are still waiting though they got in early so you might need to push a bit!

Plus Tom, if I remember it is a reasonably short journey for you. With both kids at university in Yorkshire one after the other, I got soooooo sick of the M1!

Yes, Oxford is just a bus ride from La Nouvelle Ville de Middletone Keynes! I like the idea she could pop home at weekends if she wanted .. Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton or Sheffield are just a bit further afield. But not as far as Harvard, I guess ..

[DaveG38 405]

A chance to study at Oxford, go for it. It's better to have tried than always wonder what may have been. I'm a Cambridge man myself, well I did my degree as a mature student and my study centre was in Cambridge Receiving my degree in a ceremony in Ely Cathedral was a highlight. Our son has just finished his GCSEs and came in the top 5 at his school, I think he was about 3rd with 4A* 3A and 3B. He is now taking his A-levels at a sixth form college in Cambridge and it would be nice if he could carry on to a degree there also but Cambridge like Oxford the competition is fierce and entry expectations are very high.

As an Oxford man, I always like to remind people that Cambridge was founded by a bunch of Oxford drop-outs, so when it comes to the pecking order........!!

[Peter 615]

Out of the 2 cities I prefer Cambridge It is only 35mins by "swift" auto and I did my final year of day release at Cambridge College college of Arts and Technology (Famous through Tom Sharpe and his Wilt novels....he was a History lecturer...and yes he portrayed the college very well )I also was a trainee Surveyor on the Rosie Maternity Unit at Addenbrookes Hospital saw numerous Punk bands at the Corn Exchange and often fell in the Cam whilst punting (after the annual beer festivals).

[HistoricCoinage 146]

...I don't think that other Unis can hold a candle to these two.

What do you think about Durham? The Sunday Times league table ranks it at #3 and catching up quick to Oxbridge!

[TomGoodheart 402]

...I don't think that other Unis can hold a candle to these two.

What do you think about Durham? The Sunday Times league table ranks it at #3 and catching up quick to Oxbridge!

Durham's a very good university. We briefly considered it but it's a long way to travel to an open day for a look around and in the end daughter chose ones closer to home. I'd imagine that many Durham students also applied to Oxbridge, which is a small indicator of the ability of students applying. Oddly, it's not in the '1994 Group' which is a collection of research-intensive universities, but that may just be a commercial decision, since Durham too does a lot of research!

It may seem a bit odd to worry about research when you're looking to study languages, but many places the lecturers are just teachers. At the unis daughter has applied to, all of the people teaching her have spent time in and have written books about the country whose language they teach.

[Accumulator 52]

...I don't think that other Unis can hold a candle to these two.

What do you think about Durham? The Sunday Times league table ranks it at #3 and catching up quick to Oxbridge!

Umm... no. Imperial, London (my alma mater) was at no.3 and third in Europe in the 2011/12 tables. A few years ago it split Oxbridge by coming in at number 2.

Durham is very good though.

[Generic Lad 25]

Congrats! Can't say that I really ever considered a "big name" university myself, but I'm at a small state university and enjoying it. If I decide to go for anything beyond my bachelors though, I'd like to go to a school in the UK, even if it is just for half a year just to see what it is like. Really a bit too expensive to study over there for a semester as an undergraduate though, I might as well just go on a 2 week vacation and enjoy it all rather than worrying about classes! Tuition isn't that bad but living expenses + plane tickets + the bad dollar to pound ratio would kill my wallet at the moment.

[HistoricCoinage 146]

Umm... no. Imperial, London (my alma mater) was at no.3 and third in Europe in the 2011/12 tables. A few years ago it split Oxbridge by coming in at number 2.

Durham is very good though.

Imperial is at number 14 in the 2012 table... whereas Durham is at number 3 followed by LSE and Bath. Not that it generally matters as these league tables differ vastly from one to another across the publishers and each one takes into account different things.

Best of luck with your daughter's interview!

Edited December 5, 2011 by HistoricCoinage

[Accumulator 52]

Umm... no. Imperial, London (my alma mater) was at no.3 and third in Europe in the 2011/12 tables. A few years ago it split Oxbridge by coming in at number 2.

Durham is very good though.

Imperial is at number 14 in the 2012 table... whereas Durham is at number 3 followed by LSE and Bath. Not that it generally matters as these league tables differ vastly from one to another across the publishers and each one takes into account different things.

Best of luck with your daughter's interview!

It just shows how much these tables vary (even between The Times and Sunday Times). The Times Higher Education rankings for 2011/12 have Imperial at 3rd in UK/Europe and 8th in the world: http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/aboutimperial/league_rankings

As you say, it doesn't really matter when you're talking about the top 20 or so universities. It matters a lot when you are comparing with much lower down the list.

[Cerbera100 0]

I'd imagine that many Durham students also applied to Oxbridge

See, when I applied for Uni - albeit 10 years ago (really?! I'm getting old ) I was advised that there was no point applying for Oxbridge AND Durham/Nottingham/London/Bristol as these others will reject you out of hand on the premise that you'll be going to Oxbridge if your accepted...

I don't know if there is any truth to this, however there were several people in my year who DID apply for combinations of these and got at least one unexpected rejection...

Personally, I went to Exeter (University of... - not ...College Oxford!) and loved every minute!

[TomGoodheart 402]

I'd imagine that many Durham students also applied to Oxbridge

See, when I applied for Uni - albeit 10 years ago (really?! I'm getting old ) I was advised that there was no point applying for Oxbridge AND Durham/Nottingham/London/Bristol as these others will reject you out of hand on the premise that you'll be going to Oxbridge if your accepted...

I don't know if there is any truth to this, however there were several people in my year who DID apply for combinations of these and got at least one unexpected rejection...

Personally, I went to Exeter (University of... - not ...College Oxford!) and loved every minute!

LOL I graduated in 1979! It's possible there was a tendency for other universities to be less than keen on Oxbridge applicants, but it doesn't seem to be the case now. Daughter has offers from Nottingham, Sheffield and Southampton, and Bristol have written to say they will decide when all applications are in in January so haven't actually rejected her!

So far Oxford is .. mixed! The first interview was fine (though she forgot she'd been to Brussels and claimed she had never gone anywhere where she could spend time speaking French!) but the second she was in tears apparently over the English to Spanish translation. On the other hand she's hooked up with a handful of other applicants who like similar music and seems to be having fun socialising. She has to stay until tomorrow morning (in case anyone else wants to interview her) and so we'll be picking her up sometime in the afternoon when no doubt we'll hear all about it in detail!