The unfairness of Oxbridge Admissions Consultancies

I do have faith in them but can't help but to think they can't get it right all the time. Someone who shines at interview may well be on his/her 20th "attempt" at an interview whereas others will be on their first. Again - I'm not suggesting that the content of mock interviews themselves are important for this result but rather, its the act of verbalizing and communicating their subject on countless occassions which paves the way for this advtange to be gained. Small things like body language which the first timer will not have gotten the chance to pick up upon

Didn't you have four A*s?

essentially lulled in by the persuasive powers of a group of Oxbridge graduates who see an opportunity to exploit people’s gullible-ness and fears about the admissions process. I certainly wouldn’t pay £395 for some rogue advice from the people whoclaim to be “experts” in the admissions process.

I felt sick to the core at witnessing first hand so many people taking advantage of this interview “training” procedure through daddy’s money when many applicants have to make do without even having a teacher who is willing to give them a mock interview. How is this bloody fair?

I have the stats to show the higher the participation level in an Oxbridge (well Cambridge, but I'm confident it would be the same for The Other Place) Applicants thread, the higher the chance of an offer.

It kind of makes sense: if you can communicate in a public forum your passion (or interest) about your subject (and the uni) then you are more likely to be the kind of person they are looking for.

This part is fair.



This part isn't. Some people have parents, family or friends who went to Oxbridge and can help them; some people are at good state schools, which will prep them properly; some people are at private schools, which will prep them; others will get their interview prep more directly. People have various levels of advantage and disadvantage. In this context it's pretty silly to get mad at people for trying to obtain whatever advantage they can, imho.

Generally, I would say that people who use this sort of service are not in the most advantaged group of Oxbridge applicants. If you're at a top school in either sector you hardly need pay £350 for a day's worth of prep.

I'm really not sure about that. The sample size is too small, to start with. Yes, this forum is a good source of good info/advice on Cambridge application but you can just lurk and see them. No need to be a poster with high post counts.
I think that claim can be misleading. If someone with not that brilliant academic profile read what you said and think he can be a strong candidates by spending lots of time here than working to make his application stronger, that's really damaging.

Someone not so academic would see the others are doing a lot more work and should get the message they need to up their game.

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I feel disgusted with myself – yes, disgusted, for going to an interview preparation day run by Oxbridge Applications. The cost of the daywould usually be £395 but I’m on their Access Programme so went along for freeto have a look I was amazed at the sheer number of people I saw whose parents had paid for them to attend the event – essentially lulled in by the persuasive powers of a group of Oxbridge graduates who see an opportunity to exploit people’s gullible-ness and fears about the admissions process. I certainly wouldn’t pay £395 for some rogue advice from the people whoclaim to be “experts” in the admissions process. For the record, I’ve applied to study HSPS and thought this might help albeit minutely with my ability to verbalize my subject.
Yes, I know this sounds hypocritical and especially since I went along for free. And yes, they do indeed offer some/a limited number of disadvantagedstudents access to these events so someone might question – why the hell am I moaning? But my point is – I felt sick to the core at witnessing first hand so many people taking advantage of this interview “training” procedure through daddy’s money when many applicants have to make do without even having a teacher who is willing to give them a mock interview. How is this bloody fair?

That's true in that sense.
But still I think your claim of high TSR post counts = better chance of offer is a bit too much.

I saw the stats back in January and I do recall there being a statistically significant correlation between the two.

However, correlation does not imply causation.

I feel disgusted with myself ...How is this bloody fair?

I saw the stats back in January and I do recall there being a statistically significant correlation between the two.

However, correlation does not imply causation.

I saw the stats back in January and I do recall there being a statistically significant correlation between the two.

However, correlation does not imply causation.

Correct on both

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Another contributing reason might be that people who are more confident about getting in are more likely to post a lot?

If you're bright enough to get in you probably don't need this. Therefore = rip off

Just (re-)found my £4k benchmark, different company but similar spiel..

2 week summer school = £3,895
https://www.oxford-royale.co.uk/course/uk-university-preparation