Cambridge rejections/acceptances

That's pretty solid isn't it? And people WOULDN'T have to go crazy like they do with the UCAS tracker, as they could just say All decisions will be loaded onto the site between date xxx and date yyy

Definitely. Lobbying for wider access. What a way to start term (I'm being big on the optimism here), and also what a way to get the Admissions staff to hate you, not to mention the admin staff too for shaking the boat!

.....saying that, when I was speaking with the staff of the CAO they also felt the admissions process was somewhat unfair. I guess abolishing the segregation of seniors and juniors at some of their colleges is as far as they are willing to go to break with traditions!!!!!

Hmm, a lot of politicians are also lobbying for wider access. Somehow I get the feeling that the whole wider access thing is only applicable to candidates from deprived boroughs/areas, no history of HE, etc and doesn't really seem to benefit the admissions system as a whole; it is used to justify the admissions process.

YEah, you are so right. The wider access stuff right now is to encourage more people from deprivied boroughs/areas etc to apply. It works....cos I applied. But it doesnt address the underlying problem which is the overall application process. If they fixed the core of the problem, many of these fe access initiatives etc would not be needed.

I dont think very many politicians would lobby for total reform.........that it way too risky.

You wouldn't get total reform on it, no way. Blair has enough problems on his hands now with the uproar at top-up fees, and I doubt that Labour, or the Conservatives would be interested in rocking the boat that is the Admissions system of Oxbridge, because it would be very difficult to induce change and they would probably be wasting time.

Yes, I agree. Far too busy looking for WMD.

Not even! Unfortunately the UK is tied onto the towbar of the truck that is the US, and is being dragged along for the ride.

I wonder how much more or less fair the Harvard and Stanford admissions policy is......

Anyway, in anticipation of this bloody letter I have more than doubled the amount of posts I have ever posted - in one day!!

Should get out for some fresh air now........GoodLUCK for tomorrow/wednesday!

hey peeps,

was just reading posts, has no-one applied to Kings? i was always under the impression it was a popular college?!? I'm applying to do music, soooo nervous about tmro!

You wouldn't get total reform on it, no way. Blair has enough problems on his hands now with the uproar at top-up fees, and I doubt that Labour, or the Conservatives would be interested in rocking the boat that is the Admissions system of Oxbridge, because it would be very difficult to induce change and they would probably be wasting time.

I think you will find that the boat is being rocked just a bit. The Govt have already asked Oxford and Cambridge to look at their procedures. It's also one of the attractions of 'top up fees' to the Govt as they will only be allowed if a university can demonstrate that their admissions are fair. Very few people have picked up on this but it's quite a big stick to beat both these unis if they do not modernise.

As many of the post on here demonstrate many Oxbridge tutors are overusing the interview to look for very nebulous attributes such as teachability and potential. A system that benefits some who can perform well in interview but not the best way of selecting those who will perform well in an Oxbridge degree. Too many middle class blaggers get in when they shouldn't.

Too many middle class blaggers get in when they shouldn't.

A system that benefits some who can perform well in interview but not the best way of selecting those who will perform well in an Oxbridge degree. Too many middle class blaggers get in when they shouldn't.

If you look at the percentages of firsts and 2is achieved at Oxford and Cambridge, and at the dropout rates, I think you'll see that the admissions tutors have a fair idea of what type of person will perform well. They don't get it wrong all that often.

I think you will find that the boat is being rocked just a bit. The Govt have already asked Oxford and Cambridge to look at their procedures. It's also one of the attractions of 'top up fees' to the Govt as they will only be allowed if a university can demonstrate that their admissions are fair. Very few people have picked up on this but it's quite a big stick to beat both these unis if they do not modernise.

As many of the post on here demonstrate many Oxbridge tutors are overusing the interview to look for very nebulous attributes such as teachability and potential. A system that benefits some who can perform well in interview but not the best way of selecting those who will perform well in an Oxbridge degree. Too many middle class blaggers get in when they shouldn't.