[dorian_gray]

(Original post by Speedbird2008)
That's a great course apparently!

Why not PPE though?

because I wanted to do French and spend a year at the Sciences-Po in Paris
However, I would never try and devalue the greatness of PPE at Oxford, of course but I do very much love my future course

[Lord Hysteria]

(Original post by Wildebeest)
In answer to the original question: yes, I felt bitterly like a failure when Cambridge rejected me. It wasn't bitterness directed at the university for their decision, but rather directed at myself when that letter reaffirmed the never-ending suspicions that I was no good. In effect, I was forced into applying by my school and became slightly deluded, and after that summer holiday doing nothing but preparation, I became the only Cambridge applicant to be rejected without even making the Winter Pool. It made me feel pathetic over how much hope I had put into Cambridge, alongside the insults from the students and teachers who had initially pressurised me into applying there, even though a large part of me had wanted to.

Looking back, I would never have managed at Cambridge. The college's decision was right: a deserving applicant got that place and will benefit well from the opportunity, unlike what I would have done. It's a shame that the application had to happen when I was in the mindset to epitomise it as true success, since achieving an Oxbridge place is only the very beginning of something very challenging. I will always remember my experiences of applying and wish that they had been successful - but those who did get places for my course were simply more suitable, and I am entirely content with that.

Never mind ... you are a clever guy ... I am sure you'll do well else where.
The trouble with oxbridge is they are overloaded with applications from the entire world.

[faber niger]

I wouldn't feel like a failure. I would be bitterly disappointed though, as I'm taking a year out especially to apply again.

[lab513]

I didn't get in. and never felt like a failure. I know people who have though - it's generally people who've had Oxbridge talked up to them their whole life, parents, teachers etc and therefore feel like they've let everyone down and that nowhere else is anything like as good. I think people are also affected by their peers - if a lot of your school friends get in and you don't it can make you feel crappy.

[clozet]

im going to apply for 2009 entry, but i keep looking at other universities and thinking, well actually, id really like to go to all of them rather than just the one. so no, i dont think id be a failure as such if i didnt get in, (although, i'd deffo be really disappointed) but not getting in would mean I get to go to another equally amazing university. oxbridge certainly isnt the be all and end all!

[Donald Duck]

No way.

[boysenberry]

i would certainly feel like a failure if i didn't get into any of my 5 unis. but oxbridge? hell no. if i apply there this year it's more to do with filling in an empty gap on my ucas form, just to see if i measure up to the 'standard'. of course, if i got in i would be pretty ecstatic; if i didn't i would be disappointed, certainly, but i would get over it quickly and realise that i (hopefully) have other, very respectable unis to go to. and i wouldn't even think of taking a year out to re-apply, i ain't the desperate, status obsessive that some who are 'dependant' on an oxbridge place seem to be.