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Would you feel like a failure if you didn't get into OxBridge?

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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.
If I don't get a place (which is actually pretty likely, the way my revision is going right now) then yeah, I guess I probably will feel like a failure, at least for a while. I'm a highly strung person, and as much as I try, I'm being pulled into the whole 'Oxford is amazing' thing even though consciously, I know that I'd be just as happy at some of the other universities I'm considering, like Bath or Exeter. It's like I know it's silly, but because of the prestige of Oxford and the competition with other people in my Sixth Form who are also applying, yeah, I'll be gutted when I'm rejected.

Okay, I'm a tit. :biggrin:
Reply 22
Avatar for klika89
klika89
5
no.
SylverStrike
If I don't get a place (which is actually pretty likely, the way my revision is going right now) then yeah, I guess I probably will feel like a failure, at least for a while. I'm a highly strung person, and as much as I try, I'm being pulled into the whole 'Oxford is amazing' thing even though consciously, I know that I'd be just as happy at some of the other universities I'm considering, like Bath or Exeter. It's like I know it's silly, but because of the prestige of Oxford and the competition with other people in my Sixth Form who are also applying, yeah, I'll be gutted when I'm rejected.

Okay, I'm a tit. :biggrin:


Which course?

Your sig gives all details... except the course. :p:
Reply 24
Avatar for Robob
Robob
17
addie
I can only imagine there full of stuck up snobs, who think there really brainy. I bet everything is so competitive there.


I really don't know that many snobs, and the ones I do know don't tend to be liked that much. I know far more people who actively dislike snobs.

To be honest, you do have to be pretty brainy.

I think that depends quite a bit on what college you are at, I really don't feel like everything is a competition here. In fact people in my school were far more competitive.
I was at the time. Simply as I hate failing at anything. It just takes so much effort into applying and to think that it all went to waste effectively. I had applied through special access and to be honest I was more annoyed that I hadn't been given the chance to prove myself in an interview situation rather than just on paper.

Not too bad though as I had my offer from Sheffield and now my course has changed its better anyway lol!

Don't get me wrong I love Cambridge and I'll be going to visit my friend there and yes I think I will feel a little jelous but at the end of the day Uni is what you make and get out of it... a name can't do it all for you!
Reply 26
Avatar for jobo3
jobo3
1
I think I punched my bed in fustration when I opened my 'kthanksbye' letter but that was about it. Everything happens for a reason though, I'm not bothered at all any more. I suspect I'll have more fun at another uni anyway.
im just applying for cambridge for a challenge/bragging rights. everyone around me kind of expects me to get it, so ill be a bit gutted if i dont, but i wont be too pissed about it.
Reply 28
Avatar for HCD
HCD
16
InnocentEyes
I didn't; I don't.

I did feel annoyed at having failed that specific challenge. But a failure as a person? Hell no. I'm exactly the same person now as I was before I even applied, it effectively changes nothing...make sense?


Perfect sense. :five:
Yeah I would have been really pissed off at myself if I hadn't got in, because I knew I was/am good enough.
Reply 30
Avatar for Bateman
Bateman
17
i would feel as though i have failed, but i wouldn't feel like a failure no
Reply 31
Avatar for Tut.exe
Tut.exe
14
the one who says yes must be desperate for achievement
I didn't feel like a failure at the time because it wasn't what I wanted then. Now if I think about it I wonder what might have happened if I applied for the course I am now on in the first place and had been through the process for it. Mainly because I'm floundering without any structure at the moment and I'm trying to find somewhere to pin the blame :p: but that's not really the same...

:smile:
Reply 33
Avatar for Mr. Ed
Mr. Ed
10
I felt oddly liberated after my interview, by which time I knew I hadn't got in.

So when I received the letter confirming my rejection, I didn't really feel anything, I certainly didn't feel like a failure.
HCD
Perfect sense. :five:


:five:
Of course not! Oxbridge isn't the be all and end all..:p:
I'd probably beat myself up about being rejected at first. I'm certain that I'll be just as capable of doing well and being successful at other universities though, so I'd get over it. :biggrin:
Nah. I did feel rather disappointed at first but I got over that quite quickly.
No because I don't care enough to ever work hard enough to get in there/work there. Plus, I'd never want to study there.
I felt pretty depressed after my interview. But in all honesty if I had to pick between Cambridge and Hull York Medical School, it would be Hull York.

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