[CrunchTime]

Hi guys,

Firstly, sorry if I'm posting this at the wrong forum. I'm afraid this is the only place I can think of regarding this although I know this forum is more related to UK.

The thing is, I've been invited to go for the "Summer 2012 'Power and Markets' Seminar" held at NYU by Oxbridge Learning Academy (http://oxbridgelearning.com/politics...um2012nyc.html) and I must say I'm quite interested as it includes visits to Wall Street Stock Exchange, big companies and opportunities to have direct contacts with big business leaders as well as being a part of the Oxbridge Alumni Club. It ends off with a graduation ceremony in Oxford along with a certificate which sounds very attractive to me.

However, I'm unable to find much information on this program as the organisation is relatively new. So has anyone of you heard of it or had any experience with it? I'd appreciate your opinions pls. Thanks in advance!

[CrunchTime]

I guess nobody have heard of it?

[bmanjlai1]

hey,
i got offered the same thing this week and like yourself am attracted to all it offers. However, i cant find much information on it or anyone who has done it in the past. I am starting to think it is a scam as the money they require is extortionate. I am going to call my university regarding it and maybe you should do the same. Please let me no how you get on and I will do the same

[CrunchTime]

Yeah I hope it's not a scam too but kind of weird that there is barely any information other than on the website itself eh? By the way, check your PM

If anyone knows anything about this program, please share your thoughts =)

[Derek_the_Sheep]

"Oxbridge is an independent academic institute with no affiliation to any University, College or Corporation."

yeah, right.

[CrunchTime]

(Original post by Derek_the_Sheep)
"Oxbridge is an independent academic institute with no affiliation to any University, College or Corporation."

yeah, right.

What about that? Isn't it just saying they are not related to the universities despite the "Oxbridge" name?

[Derek_the_Sheep]

(Original post by CrunchTime)
What about that? Isn't it just saying they are not related to the universities despite the "Oxbridge" name?

What it says to me is that they are trying to use "Oxbridge" to impress, when they have no connection with Oxford or Cambridge, are not based in Oxford or Cambridge, and their "directors" are not and have never been academic staff at Oxford or Cambridge.

One was a Rhodes Scholar, and 3 have Oxford D.Phils.( "College Lecturer" BTW just means "hired hand to do some tutorials"; it's not at all equivalent to a "University lecturer"). Mason C Meiringer is claimed to be (partly) a "senior tutor at the University of Oxford". According to this: he is (or has been) in fact an academic visitor to the politics department: "CPI welcomes the following visitors: <snip> Mason C Meiringer". Which is a bit different... a "senior tutor" normally being taken to being someone in charge of an Oxford or Cambridge College's teaching.

If that doesn't sound a bit dodgy to you, well, fair enough, but it does to me!

As does charging nearly £3000 for a three-week English Language course in Oxford, for which the blurb is a bit , well, odd:"All Oxbridge E.W.L.A. students will be housed in beautiful Oxford University colleges. There are 43 colleges and halls at Oxford and your stay will be at the oldest and most famous of these, several dating back to the 12th century. Students may also request specific colleges for their stay. All students will be placed in double rooms - private singles are available upon request for an additional charge." Double rooms? I don't know that [I]any[I] college has double rooms these days. They haven't specified which college(s) will be used, which to me means they haven't actually got a booking with any of them; the colleges get their conference trade (which this would count as) organized well in advance, and getting three weeks allocated would need a lot of notice. As for individuals being able to pick and choose which college.... I think "get real" is the phrase here.

I think I had better stop now...

[cherry_92]

Hi

I've just been accepted on this scheme too. From what you guys have said, it does sound a bit dodgy :s although what they're offering sounds quite good.

will you still be accepting your place or are you going to reject it based on what's been said in this discussion???

[michael321]

You are paying £1000 per week to go on some non-affiliated course with a few people who once had a tenuous link to an Oxbridge college; even with higher fees, actual students pay under £400 per week for a full Oxbridge degree. If you think that's worth it, you're a sucker.

There are thousands of people and organisations trying to make a few bucks off the back of Oxbridge's prestige and mystique. You see it in these courses, you see it in the people who offer mock interviews and PS-writing services, etc. etc. None of these things provide value for money.

[louisajn]

Hi i've been accepted onto this too and wasn't sure about it. It does sound good however it does put me off that not many people have heard about it, not even my personal tutor who has worked at both Oxford and Cambridge. However I do think it would be good to study in New York for three weeks and it sounds like we get to do a lot.

[Oxbridge_student]

Hello

I just signed up to comment on this threat. As previous authors have indicated, the Oxbridge programme is not the most genuine activity one can spend their summer with. It is however not a complete scam either. I participated in the Power and Politics seminar in Washington DC earlier this year.

We were placed in double rooms at a campus of the George Washington University, and our daily lectures were held nearby at the same campus. They were of ok-ish quality, but not quite Oxford-standard for obvious reasons.

The practical engagements, which were a decisive point for many of those who signed up for the programme, were also not quite what we were promised. Most of the time we went to different public events at think tanks, which were free of charge for students and open to the public anyway.

There was just one visit to an embassy, where we met a Chinese consul who held the same speech about China as a peace-loving nations he always holds when he is invited to speak for students.

During the seminar, Dr. Meiringer was mostly in New York, leaving us behind in DC with little guidance, so that we even missed some of the events that were scheduled.

After the seminar, Dr. Meiringer and his secretary stopped replying on emails. The latest we heard from them was that we need to fill out 16 questions on an evaluation form if we want to receive our certificates. Also the graduaion ceremony in Oxford, which was one of the selling points of the programme. will not take place.

To conclude one can say that the Oxbridge seminar is not a complete scam but still a scam, and certainly not worth 3000GBP. There are other summer schools, which can provide a better experience, a more sound academic foundation and less frustration for less money.

[Derek_the_Sheep]

Well, if this isn't a "complete scam" it comes pretty close!

... and many thanks for this report. I hope it deters others from being taken in.

DtS