Oxbridge
You've got questions about applying for uni, we've got the answers. Step inside...
-
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Posts: 1,290
Re: OxbridgeSmells like a TSR rumour. They would only be guessing that your applying to oxbridge given that your application was handed in before the oxbridge deadline and that your predicted at least an A*.
WHen i went to a UCL open day, they said they gived out 3x as many offers as they had places, since 1/3 go to oxford and 1/3 don't make the grades.Last edited by iammichealjackson; 27-07-2012 at 18:02. -
- Reputation:
- Overlord in Training
- Location: London
- Posts: 3,125
Re: OxbridgeThat's rubbish.
The only way they'd know you were applying to Oxbridge was due to applying before the deadline and plenty of people do that anyway.
And anyway, just because you're applying to Oxbridge doesn't mean you'll get in, so why would a University turn down a very good candidate on the offchance that you might get into Oxbridge? -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Banned
Re: OxbridgeUnless you tell them there's no reason they would know.
Also, every year lots and lots of excellent candidates get rejected from Oxbridge (some courses like Medicine have acceptance rates around 1 in 10 and plenty have 1 in 5) so they'd be shooting themselves in the foot a lot if they did.
This may stem from the days when you ranked universities on your UCAS form, and some such as LSE or Imperial may have been sniffy about being anything less than no. 1, likely to Oxbridge, but that hasn't happened for a while now. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Overlord in Training
- Location: England
- Posts: 2,186
Re: Oxbridge(Original post by iammichealjackson)
Smells like a TSR rumour. They would only be guessing that your applying to oxbridge given that your application was handed in before the oxbridge deadline and that your predicted at least an A*.
Surely they would know that you're applying to Oxbridge since the deadline is October? The deadline for other universities is January. Wouldn't they realise that people will make use of the extra 2 months to write their PS and whatnot so if they're handing in their application early they must going for Oxbridge. (Unless anyone here has submitted their application by October and wasn't going for Oxbridge...?)(Original post by Namige)
No don't think so, they don't know who you're applying for unless you choose to tell them which would be a bad decision indeed.
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App -
- Reputation:
- Junior Member
- Posts: 55
Re: OxbridgeWhile they can guess by your early application that you may be applying to Oxbridge, they cannot be certain. They give out more offers than they have spaces, because they know not everyone can go to Oxbridge, and those that don't get into Oxbridge will come to them if given an offer.
From personal experience, I applied really early, ages before the early med and Oxbridge deadline. I had an offer for LSE, then UCL at around the same I was rejected from the top guns. hope that reassures you.Last edited by theserene; 27-07-2012 at 16:11. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Overlord in Training
- Location: England
- Posts: 2,186
Re: OxbridgeHmm..maybe the rumour had something to do with that.(Original post by roh)
Unless you tell them there's no reason they would know.
Also, every year lots and lots of excellent candidates get rejected from Oxbridge (some courses like Medicine have acceptance rates around 1 in 10 and plenty have 1 in 5) so they'd be shooting themselves in the foot a lot if they did.
This may stem from the days when you ranked universities on your UCAS form, and some such as LSE or Imperial may have been sniffy about being anything less than no. 1, likely to Oxbridge, but that hasn't happened for a while now.
Anyway thanks guys
EDIT: Do a lot of people actually apply really early (e.g. before November or something) even if they don't plan to go to Oxbridge? o. -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Banned
Re: OxbridgeGiven quite a few unis start giving offers as soon as they start getting applications most people get their application off as soon as possible, whether they're going for Oxbridge or not. The later you apply the later your offers, the later you can decide on Firm and Insurance, the later your accommodation application etc. so it makes sense to do it earlier.(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Surely they would know that you're applying to Oxbridge since the deadline is October? The deadline for other universities is January. Wouldn't they realise that people will make use of the extra 2 months to write their PS and whatnot so if they're handing in their application early they must going for Oxbridge. (Unless anyone here has submitted their application by October and wasn't going for Oxbridge...?)
Most people write their PS over summer/september, doing it later isn't particularly sensible as it takes time away from your A Levels so many will be done by the Oxbridge deadline anyway.
For a couple of subjects all their choices require 15th so they can't make any assumptions about the application date if it's Medicine or Vet.
My college's internal deadline was first Friday of October for everyone, which was at least 700-800 people and I can't imagine it was alone in imposing an internal one so that could be a factor too.Last edited by roh; 27-07-2012 at 16:15. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Overlord in Training
- Location: England
- Posts: 2,186
Re: OxbridgeReally? I didn't even think some colleges/schools did that. Thanks, that definitely reassured me(Original post by roh)
Given quite a few unis start giving offers as soon as they start getting applications most people get their application off as soon as possible, whether they're going for Oxbridge or not. The later you apply the later your offers, the later you can decide on Firm and Insurance, the later your accommodation application etc. so it makes sense to do it earlier.
Most people write their PS over summer/september, doing it later isn't particularly sensible as it takes time away from your A Levels so many will be done by the Oxbridge deadline anyway.
For a couple of subjects all their choices require 15th so they can't make any assumptions about the application date if it's Medicine or Vet.
My college's internal deadline was first Friday of October for everyone, which was at least 700-800 people and I can't imagine it was alone in imposing an internal one so that could be a factor too.
-
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Banned
Re: OxbridgeYeah, just to save stress for both teachers and students, allow plenty of time for reviewing them, checking references etc. and of course just getting offers as soon as students can. Some unis or departments do wait until 16th Jan before looking at any, but this isn't necessarily announced publicly and you're unlikely to apply to 5 that all use this system.(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Really? I didn't even think some colleges/schools did that. Thanks, that definitely reassured me
Ours was so early because each tutor had about 90 students to deal with. My Dad's a head of Sixth and he goes for mid November some time for a much smaller year group. Schools don't want students and teachers still having to spend loads of time on UCAS as January modules start to close in. If you think about it if it's not done by Xmas it's going to be a real struggle, as you're off for 2 weeks revising, then straight into exams and by the time you come out the the other side the deadline's been and gone.
It's alright, if you want to apply to Oxbridge go for it, don't worry that other unis will somehow find out and reject you because of it!Last edited by roh; 27-07-2012 at 16:29. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Overlord in Training
- Location: England
- Posts: 2,186
Re: Oxbridge90 students to deal with? what the hellllll. There's about 25 students per tutor in my sixth form and in year 13 that'll probably get reduced to like 15. o.O(Original post by roh)
Yeah, just to save stress for both teachers and students, allow plenty of time for reviewing them, checking references etc. and of course just getting offers as soon as students can. Some unis or departments do wait until 16th Jan before looking at any, but this isn't necessarily announced publicly and you're unlikely to apply to 5 that all use this system.
Ours was so early because each tutor had about 90 students to deal with. My Dad's a head of Sixth and he goes for mid November some time for a much smaller year group. Schools don't want students and teachers still having to spend loads of time on UCAS as January modules start to close in. If you think about it if it's not done by Xmas it's going to be a real struggle, as you're off for 2 weeks revising, then straight into exams and by the time you come out the the other side the deadline's been and gone.
It's alright, if you want to apply to Oxbridge go for it, don't worry that other unis will somehow find out and reject you because of it!
Haha I don't even think I'm applying, the heat is making me think of crazy stuff. -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Banned
Re: OxbridgeThey were employed partly as professional personal tutors. So they'd only teach couple of subject classes, but they'd have 3 or 4 tutor groups. This seemed pretty common at sixth form colleges around me but I've no idea if it is generally, not heard of it in schools.(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
90 students to deal with? what the hellllll. There's about 25 students per tutor in my sixth form and in year 13 that'll probably get reduced to like 15. o.O
Haha I don't even think I'm applying, the heat is making me think of crazy stuff. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Overlord in Training
- Location: England
- Posts: 2,186
Re: OxbridgeI feel sorry for them if they have to write so many references...(Original post by roh)
They were employed partly as professional personal tutors. So they'd only teach couple of subject classes, but they'd have 3 or 4 tutor groups. This seemed pretty common at sixth form colleges around me but I've no idea if it is generally, not heard of it in schools. -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Overlord in Training
- Posts: 2,450
Re: OxbridgeDon't know if this has already been said, but:(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
Surely they would know that you're applying to Oxbridge since the deadline is October? The deadline for other universities is January. Wouldn't they realise that people will make use of the extra 2 months to write their PS and whatnot so if they're handing in their application early they must going for Oxbridge. (Unless anyone here has submitted their application by October and wasn't going for Oxbridge...?)
1) They don't know for certain - lots of people get their apps in early - and they would be cutting out a lot of the best and most organised students if they looked down on apps made before 15th October.
2) If you are still paranoid, you can add choices later on. For instance, apply to Oxford and then add four more choices on 16th October. -
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- Overlord in Training
- Location: England
- Posts: 2,186
Re: OxbridgeFirst point has been said haha(Original post by michael321)
Don't know if this has already been said, but:
1) They don't know for certain - lots of people get their apps in early - and they would be cutting out a lot of the best and most organised students if they looked down on apps made before 15th October.
2) If you are still paranoid, you can add choices later on. For instance, apply to Oxford and then add four more choices on 16th October.
Bolded bit: Someone vaguely mentioned this before but I wasn't too sure. How would this work? i thought once you paid and sent your application you can't do this anymore? wouldn't the school have to recheck your application? -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Overlord in Training
- Posts: 2,450
Re: Oxbridgehttp://www.ucas.ac.uk/students/offer...ngchanges/faq4(Original post by InadequateJusticex)
First point has been said haha
Bolded bit: Someone vaguely mentioned this before but I wasn't too sure. How would this work? i thought once you paid and sent your application you can't do this anymore? wouldn't the school have to recheck your application?
