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feelings on rejection
every year many able (and in some cases not so able) applicants get rejected from oxbridge, many on this board it seems. For many this is the first real rejection in their life, so i was wondering how people took it.
Did you feel bitter, upset and hard done by, or jsut disappointed but really expected it.
and is anyone mightily frustrated and feel that they 100% deserved a place?
Did you feel bitter, upset and hard done by, or jsut disappointed but really expected it.
and is anyone mightily frustrated and feel that they 100% deserved a place?
Scroll to see replies
Leeroy
every year many able (and in some cases not so able) applicants get rejected from oxbridge, many on this board it seems. For many this is the first real rejection in their life, so i was wondering how people took it.
Did you feel bitter, upset and hard done by, or jsut disappointed but really expected it.
and is anyone mightily frustrated and feel that they 100% deserved a place?
Did you feel bitter, upset and hard done by, or jsut disappointed but really expected it.
and is anyone mightily frustrated and feel that they 100% deserved a place?
A girl from my school was told she would definitely get in by pretty much everyone and I think the school honestly thought if anyone would, she would. She didn't seem too bothered about the rejection on the outside but I think she was gutted. She had always said she probably wasn't good enough (she's v.modest though) and originally had her heart set on somewhere else, but after the interview she fell in love with the place and everyone told her she'd get in. A friend of hers even said she would give her £200 if she didn't as we were honestly certain. When I got my offer letter I knew that if I was in, she would be too. Unfortunately she was rejected (her first ever failure) and she chose not to find out why she was rejected and held her head up high and has now chosen to go to Bristol.
I honestly don't know why she didn't get in. She was applying for Langauges had 10A*'s at GCSE, predicted AAAa, had loads of time abroad on langauge courses/her own trips, world challenge, duke of edinburgh, work experience, on all the school teams, part-time job, Grade 8 Flute. Her langauge skills were amazing, she was confident and fluent ans I would imagine she would interview very well (she'd done public speaking and is naturally talkative and out-going). She says it must have been the interview, but I honestly think she doesn't know either. I was suprised that they just rejected her, she wasn't even pooled.
I honestly don't know why she didn't get in. She was applying for Langauges had 10A*'s at GCSE, predicted AAAa, had loads of time abroad on langauge courses/her own trips, world challenge, duke of edinburgh, work experience, on all the school teams, part-time job, Grade 8 Flute. Her langauge skills were amazing, she was confident and fluent ans I would imagine she would interview very well (she'd done public speaking and is naturally talkative and out-going). She says it must have been the interview, but I honestly think she doesn't know either. I was suprised that they just rejected her, she wasn't even pooled.
Wow, some rejection stories really sound awful.
Sadly I fear that a lot of languages applicants probably fit the description of your friend and have an equally impressive record. I think in the end you have to remember that Oxbridge admissions is a bit of a lottery. There are far too many good applicants for far too few places.
Cambridge tutor on admissions: "It's like picking one £20 note out of a pile and throwing the rest away!"
Cambridge tutor on admissions: "It's like picking one £20 note out of a pile and throwing the rest away!"
I wasnt really that bothered about rejection, probably because a few years ago it didnt even look like I'd be going to university at all, nevermind being in contention for Oxbridge. I wasnt doing very well at school (I was incredibly lazy, I hated all my teachers, etc, etc) but I sorted myself out and transformed into a straight A student in the space of two years. So I'm just glad to be getting offers for one of the most competitive universities for one of the most difficult subjects.
However, for people who have been constantly told all their lives how clever they are, its probably much more of a shock. I know one guy who I've been to primary school, secondary school and 6th form with that has always been top of the class in EVERYTHING and had always got As. Everyone just assumed he was set for Oxbridge. He was rejected without interview. That must send someone like that crashing down to earth.
To be honest, if getting rejected from Oxbridge is going to be the worst rejection of your life, then you must live a very sheltered life.
However, for people who have been constantly told all their lives how clever they are, its probably much more of a shock. I know one guy who I've been to primary school, secondary school and 6th form with that has always been top of the class in EVERYTHING and had always got As. Everyone just assumed he was set for Oxbridge. He was rejected without interview. That must send someone like that crashing down to earth.
To be honest, if getting rejected from Oxbridge is going to be the worst rejection of your life, then you must live a very sheltered life.
kingslaw
However, for people who have been constantly told all their lives how clever they are, its probably much more of a shock. I know one guy who I've been to primary school, secondary school and 6th form with that has always been top of the class in EVERYTHING and had always got As. Everyone just assumed he was set for Oxbridge. He was rejected without interview.
However, for people who have been constantly told all their lives how clever they are, its probably much more of a shock. I know one guy who I've been to primary school, secondary school and 6th form with that has always been top of the class in EVERYTHING and had always got As. Everyone just assumed he was set for Oxbridge. He was rejected without interview.
Without interview
I thought that only happened to people who were predicted less than AAA -- or was it Medicine at Oxford with the BMAT "pretest"?kingslaw
To be honest, if getting rejected from Oxbridge is going to be the worst rejection of your life, then you must live a very sheltered life.
Well if people are lucky it will be the worst rejection of their life. Then again for someone who thought they had a good chance of getting into Oxbridge then a rejection would probably be the worst rejection of their life, worse than getting rejected for a job or something as it's a single opportunity.
Alexander
Without interview I thought that only happened to people who were predicted less than AAA -- or was it Medicine at Oxford with the BMAT "pretest"?
I thought that only happened to people who were predicted less than AAA -- or was it Medicine at Oxford with the BMAT "pretest"?Not if its a subject thats really high in demand. If the admissions feel they have a less than substantial ps, then they'll reject them straight away.
Alexander
Well if people are lucky it will be the worst rejection of their life. Then again for someone who thought they had a good chance of getting into Oxbridge then a rejection would probably be the worst rejection of their life, worse than getting rejected for a job or something as it's a single opportunity.
I guess it just depends what priorities you have in your life.
Hoofbeat
A girl from my school was told she would definitely get in by pretty much everyone and I think the school honestly thought if anyone would, she would. She didn't seem too bothered about the rejection on the outside but I think she was gutted. She had always said she probably wasn't good enough (she's v.modest though) and originally had her heart set on somewhere else, but after the interview she fell in love with the place and everyone told her she'd get in. A friend of hers even said she would give her £200 if she didn't as we were honestly certain. When I got my offer letter I knew that if I was in, she would be too. Unfortunately she was rejected (her first ever failure) and she chose not to find out why she was rejected and held her head up high and has now chosen to go to Bristol.
I honestly don't know why she didn't get in. She was applying for Langauges had 10A*'s at GCSE, predicted AAAa, had loads of time abroad on langauge courses/her own trips, world challenge, duke of edinburgh, work experience, on all the school teams, part-time job, Grade 8 Flute. Her langauge skills were amazing, she was confident and fluent ans I would imagine she would interview very well (she'd done public speaking and is naturally talkative and out-going). She says it must have been the interview, but I honestly think she doesn't know either. I was suprised that they just rejected her, she wasn't even pooled.
I honestly don't know why she didn't get in. She was applying for Langauges had 10A*'s at GCSE, predicted AAAa, had loads of time abroad on langauge courses/her own trips, world challenge, duke of edinburgh, work experience, on all the school teams, part-time job, Grade 8 Flute. Her langauge skills were amazing, she was confident and fluent ans I would imagine she would interview very well (she'd done public speaking and is naturally talkative and out-going). She says it must have been the interview, but I honestly think she doesn't know either. I was suprised that they just rejected her, she wasn't even pooled.
I can't believe she was rejected! Which college did she apply to and for which language(s)?
I was like hoofbeat's friend. I honestly didn't feel I would ever get in, but when I went for my interview I loved the college and the professors and the people I met.
The rejection letter was sort of expected, but still hit hard because I'd never failed at anything before (except doing less well than expected in my GCSEs, but that wasn't too hard to take). Perhaps it was also disappointing because a lot of my friends succeeded in getting in and i ended up comparing myself to them and feeling incredibally stupid.
The rejection letter was sort of expected, but still hit hard because I'd never failed at anything before (except doing less well than expected in my GCSEs, but that wasn't too hard to take). Perhaps it was also disappointing because a lot of my friends succeeded in getting in and i ended up comparing myself to them and feeling incredibally stupid.
Leeroy
every year many able (and in some cases not so able) applicants get rejected from oxbridge, many on this board it seems. For many this is the first real rejection in their life, so i was wondering how people took it.
Did you feel bitter, upset and hard done by, or jsut disappointed but really expected it.
and is anyone mightily frustrated and feel that they 100% deserved a place?
Did you feel bitter, upset and hard done by, or jsut disappointed but really expected it.
and is anyone mightily frustrated and feel that they 100% deserved a place?
Indeed, there are always victims to the moronic decisions made in selection.
Hoofbeat
A girl from my school was told she would definitely get in by pretty much everyone and I think the school honestly thought if anyone would, she would. She didn't seem too bothered about the rejection on the outside but I think she was gutted. She had always said she probably wasn't good enough (she's v.modest though) and originally had her heart set on somewhere else, but after the interview she fell in love with the place and everyone told her she'd get in. A friend of hers even said she would give her £200 if she didn't as we were honestly certain. When I got my offer letter I knew that if I was in, she would be too. Unfortunately she was rejected (her first ever failure) and she chose not to find out why she was rejected and held her head up high and has now chosen to go to Bristol.
I honestly don't know why she didn't get in. She was applying for Langauges had 10A*'s at GCSE, predicted AAAa, had loads of time abroad on langauge courses/her own trips, world challenge, duke of edinburgh, work experience, on all the school teams, part-time job, Grade 8 Flute. Her langauge skills were amazing, she was confident and fluent ans I would imagine she would interview very well (she'd done public speaking and is naturally talkative and out-going). She says it must have been the interview, but I honestly think she doesn't know either. I was suprised that they just rejected her, she wasn't even pooled.
I honestly don't know why she didn't get in. She was applying for Langauges had 10A*'s at GCSE, predicted AAAa, had loads of time abroad on langauge courses/her own trips, world challenge, duke of edinburgh, work experience, on all the school teams, part-time job, Grade 8 Flute. Her langauge skills were amazing, she was confident and fluent ans I would imagine she would interview very well (she'd done public speaking and is naturally talkative and out-going). She says it must have been the interview, but I honestly think she doesn't know either. I was suprised that they just rejected her, she wasn't even pooled.
Your friend sounds kinda similar to a friend of mine who was rejected from Oxford - she has the straight A*s, is outgoing and wonderful and did all sorts of stuff, and she speaks French beautifully and fluently - but we think her grammatical accuracy in her written work may have let her down. You really have to be top-notch on everything it seems. Also, if you have a bad day at interview... It's unfortunate, but it happens.
I've heard some mad stories as well...
head boy at one of the top 3 schools in the country who does just about everything, national debater, top grades etc - rejected.
one of the best historians in the country, the top school in the country is convinced he will get a place (guy is 18 and written a book) - rejected
it's mad sometimes you've just gotta accept that
head boy at one of the top 3 schools in the country who does just about everything, national debater, top grades etc - rejected.
one of the best historians in the country, the top school in the country is convinced he will get a place (guy is 18 and written a book) - rejected
it's mad sometimes you've just gotta accept that
maybe they think ppl who have done so much already, have peaked and will be capable of no more. They dont need cambridge, or maybe they just weren't "good" in the interview, or too cocky.
MadNatSci
Your friend sounds kinda similar to a friend of mine who was rejected from Oxford - she has the straight A*s, is outgoing and wonderful and did all sorts of stuff, and she speaks French beautifully and fluently - but we think her grammatical accuracy in her written work may have let her down. You really have to be top-notch on everything it seems. Also, if you have a bad day at interview... It's unfortunate, but it happens.
trust me you don't have to be top-notch in EVERYTHING to get an offer- i'm a living example- grammatically i'm shoddy anyway, i just don't bother learning any of it, and linguistically- well lets just say i didn't speak that much german with them in the interview. the selection process is weird, in some ways i wish they hadn't offered me a place, cos i wouldn't be struggling to work for 3A grades now when i could be working for ABB for Durham
priya
trust me you don't have to be top-notch in EVERYTHING to get an offer- i'm a living example- grammatically i'm shoddy anyway, i just don't bother learning any of it, and linguistically- well lets just say i didn't speak that much german with them in the interview. the selection process is weird, in some ways i wish they hadn't offered me a place, cos i wouldn't be struggling to work for 3A grades now when i could be working for ABB for Durham
Absolutely true. Of course you needn't be top notch at everything, plenty of people get in who I'd not even dream of describing as 'top notch'. Oxbridge make mistakes, many people who would have benefited a great deal from their education are rejected. That's just a part of life though it's just the nature of admissions, whether it's a blue chip company, or university.
Although, to be honest you cannot really tell at this moment in time whether or not it was the wrong decision. I think Oxbridge will consider the scenario of somebody who they've rejected then going onto another highly regarded institution and obtaining a prize winning first class honours as an 'admissions failure' on their part - at least I would; but again it will inevitably happen, one can at best take measures to reduce the likelihood. However, you cannot say the applicants being mentioned are the victims of ''moronic decisions" just yet, as A level grades and the like, all this Headboy, Duke of Edinburgh detail, it doesn’t really mean all that much, it cannot identify genuine academic ability..
I think Oxbridge have a much easier task at graduate level, where it's far easier to indentify long term academic potential, as you have the applicants entire undergraduate record to go on.
CHilL
A friend of mine got rejected from Balliol... He demanded an explanation... they didnt give him any... but instead gave him an offer.
I'm just trying to picture what could have happened...
Friend: Hey you, why did you reject me?
Balliol: Bugger me, I haven't a clue, but here....take it, I'll make you an offer right now; sorry about before though, was in a bit of a bad mood - domestic matters you see
It does seem ever so unrealistic. Although, have to say, pretty amazing stuff, unless that was a cleverly deceptive way, on your part, of saying that the offer was actually an offer for an explanation!
Amrad
I've heard some mad stories as well...
head boy at one of the top 3 schools in the country who does just about everything, national debater, top grades etc - rejected.
one of the best historians in the country, the top school in the country is convinced he will get a place (guy is 18 and written a book) - rejected
head boy at one of the top 3 schools in the country who does just about everything, national debater, top grades etc - rejected.
one of the best historians in the country, the top school in the country is convinced he will get a place (guy is 18 and written a book) - rejected
Would he have been from St Paul's? Someone was telling me the other day that they had 'problems' with Oxbridge this year.
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