Oxbridge - What's the big deal?

Oh, and this of course. I can't believe I forgot the all important 3rd reason.

There's a wide range of possibilities of what happens at university though, that ironically far exceed the differences between the elite universities (which we all talk about). We all love to debate the Oxbridge vs whatever else threads.

The reality is that there's a wide range of possibilities. One student can be miserable, depressed, have big personal problems and consequently end up doing poorly in the degree or dropping out mid-way altogether. Another student may have an amazing time, be really happy and involved, have a large network and study hard to earn a 1st class degree. This same thing happens at other universities too.

So what was once a bright student, the creme de la creme and someone who 'has it made', is suddenly sidelined onto the scrapheap whilst mediocre grads with 2.1's from wherever else actually have better prospects.

None of this ever seems to be discussed on forums though. I know people, personally, who are 'geniuses' with fantastic GCSE's/A-Levels/AEA & STEP/IQs who went to Oxbridge/LSE/Imperial, but just had a torrid time at uni.

And *poooof* goes the prospects.

Oxford and Cambridge are the world's oldest universities and they also rank amongst the world's best universities -- by going to either of the two your life is likely to change for the better if it is God's will.
You will get more job offers, better salaries and be a part of the creme de la creme... yet that is up to God.

You will have Mercs, Louis Vuittons, Cavier .... what more reasons do you want ???

My parents have mercs and louis vuittons and neither have a degree. My dad dropped out of salford poly after two months and mum out of med school after a week, mum's sister went to Cambridge and earns about 20k a year selling weird organic plants

3. Some people there will be clever. Some will be there because of their wealth, background and family tree.

I hate TSR because of people like you.

Oxford is just so bloody sexy.

“What’s the big deal?” What kind of question is that?

To list the many reasons why there is “such a big deal” with Oxbridge (please not this list is not exhaustive or exclusive to Oxbridge per se):

*Tutorial/supervision system
*Collegiate system
*Excellent academic facilities
*Excellent teaching
*High quality of research
*Generous bursary systems
*World-class reputation
*Academic excellence
*Historical prestige
*Famous alumni
*Individual attention
*High quality lecturers
*Guaranteed accommodation for the duration of your degree (typically)
*Fantastic range of academic and non-academic resources
*Diverse and international study environment
*Limitless opportunities after graduation
*Unique college and city life
*”Work hard, play hard” nature of the an Oxbridge education

You're a moron; people don't get into Oxbridge because of their family trees any more. Like the tutors care. It's not 1920.

But there's no doubt that parents who have gone to Oxbridge will influence their child in such a way that he has a good chance of getting in. There are quite a few people here whose parents have also gone to oxbridge, I doubt you will get such a high proportion at any other uni.

'fancy vocabulary'? If you consider my vocabulary 'fancy' then I invite you to open any novel ever written. You might be in for a shock. Also, I left the bubble when I left high school, before I started college.

Anyway. No, I'm not saying the system is perfect. I never was. But I am saying that their judgment (that's right - the judgment of seasoned academics, often world leaders in their field) is, and always will be, a greater reflection of the abilities and potential of a student than yours.

So many issues with this answer it's unbelievable.

1. You are expected to self study at every university.

2. If you think that is the case, you are in for a real shock in the future. Psychology degree from Oxbridge is still just as useless as it is from anywhere else if you were to apply for a job in engineering.

3. Some people there will be clever. Some will be there because of their wealth, background and family tree.

I hate TSR because of people like you.

You can't 'walk into any job', I know somebody with a modern & medieval languages degree from Cambridge who is currently on jobseekers allowance and looking for work.

If you look at all the PhD achievers, they always stressed that they were 'supervised by Prof XXXX'

Erm, just to clarify: All PhD-students have supervisors, regardless of where they are. It has nothing to do with Oxbridge or the tutorial system, that's just how PhD-level study works.

Yes, but the point he is making is that PhD students stress the identity of their supervisors; that it is relevant, or perceived by academic employers as relevant, who supervised them.

Erm, just to clarify: All PhD-students have supervisors, regardless of where they are. It has nothing to do with Oxbridge or the tutorial system, that's just how PhD-level study works.