Official Cambridge Parents of Applicants thread 2023
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Theloniouss
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#1
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the applicants' thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that many of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting
However, it's only natural that many of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting

Last edited by Theloniouss; 1 month ago
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_Rusty_
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#2
(Original post by Theloniouss)
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that a lot of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that a lot of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting


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Peterhouse Admissions
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#3
(Original post by Theloniouss)
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that a lot of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that a lot of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting


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Reality Check
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#4
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#4

(Original post by Theloniouss)
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that a lot of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting
Hello Parents! In order to ensure that the applicants thread is for applicants, I'm requesting that - short of good luck wishes on deadlines - the thread is kept applicants only. The enormous presence of parents last year, as well as their general contentiousness meant it didn't really feel like a thread for applicants.
However, it's only natural that a lot of you would like to discuss your childrens' applications, so this thread is now that place. Also check out the Cambridge Parents' Association.
Happy chatting

The behaviour of a large number of parents in the 2022 cycle was a disgrace - only ameliorated by their far more chilled, insightful, rational, and sensible sons and daughters who worked to support one-another, rather than engaged in unnecessary competition.
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aaq1
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#5
(Original post by Reality Check)
Thank you for the tag
I'm glad this came to fruition. Hopefully we can get the applicant thread back on track for 2023, and keep it for applicants and their questions, rather than their sharp-elbowed parents trying any which way to push their child to the front of the queue by some bizarre and misguided attempts to compete with one-another.
The behaviour of a large number of parents in the 2022 cycle was a disgrace - only ameliorated by their far more chilled, insightful, rational, and sensible sons and daughters who worked to support one-another, rather than engaged in unnecessary competition.
Thank you for the tag

I'm glad this came to fruition. Hopefully we can get the applicant thread back on track for 2023, and keep it for applicants and their questions, rather than their sharp-elbowed parents trying any which way to push their child to the front of the queue by some bizarre and misguided attempts to compete with one-another.
The behaviour of a large number of parents in the 2022 cycle was a disgrace - only ameliorated by their far more chilled, insightful, rational, and sensible sons and daughters who worked to support one-another, rather than engaged in unnecessary competition.
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_Rusty_
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#6
(Original post by aaq1)
did not observe any issues on the Oxford 2022 thread.
did not observe any issues on the Oxford 2022 thread.
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aaq1
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#7
(Original post by _Rusty_)
That’s because Oxford and Cambridge are different unis
That’s because Oxford and Cambridge are different unis
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_Rusty_
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#8
(Original post by aaq1)
Thanks for the clarity. I did not know that there are specific characteristics that define and differentuate people whose children apply to those unis.
Thanks for the clarity. I did not know that there are specific characteristics that define and differentuate people whose children apply to those unis.

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Theloniouss
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#9
(Original post by aaq1)
did not observe any issues on the Oxford 2022 thread.
did not observe any issues on the Oxford 2022 thread.
(Original post by _Rusty_)
That’s because Oxford and Cambridge are different unis
That’s because Oxford and Cambridge are different unis
Last edited by Theloniouss; 1 month ago
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Reality Check
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#10
(Original post by aaq1)
did not observe any issues on the Oxford 2022 thread.
did not observe any issues on the Oxford 2022 thread.
(Original post by aaq1)
interesting...has anyone been able to identify reasons? Could it be that Oxford shortlists proportinately far fewer candidates for interviews than Cambridge?
interesting...has anyone been able to identify reasons? Could it be that Oxford shortlists proportinately far fewer candidates for interviews than Cambridge?
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Theloniouss
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#11
(Original post by aaq1)
ok if it is just for last year then I can understand that it is more of an exception and can happen anytime for any uni. From Theloniouss response it sounded it is a perennial issue specifically for Cambridge thread.
ok if it is just for last year then I can understand that it is more of an exception and can happen anytime for any uni. From Theloniouss response it sounded it is a perennial issue specifically for Cambridge thread.
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Oxford Mum
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#12
(Original post by Reality Check)
That's because there weren't any, relatively speaking.
Not really. It's because the thread kept going off the rails and there wasn't a presence like Oxford Mum keeping it all together and on track. When it had Doones patrolling it, it was the best thread on TSR, and we never had behaviour from bratty parents like we did last year. Theloniouss did a great job in trying to contain the worst of it last year, but it shouldn't have been necessary for them to devote so much time to try to get adults to behave appropriately, aided by the perceived imprimatur of Peterhouse Admissions - who are here as (superb) official reps and do not want to be treated as mods or unofficial referees.
That's because there weren't any, relatively speaking.
Not really. It's because the thread kept going off the rails and there wasn't a presence like Oxford Mum keeping it all together and on track. When it had Doones patrolling it, it was the best thread on TSR, and we never had behaviour from bratty parents like we did last year. Theloniouss did a great job in trying to contain the worst of it last year, but it shouldn't have been necessary for them to devote so much time to try to get adults to behave appropriately, aided by the perceived imprimatur of Peterhouse Admissions - who are here as (superb) official reps and do not want to be treated as mods or unofficial referees.
Theloniouss is absolutely amazing and has really stepped up to the plate since Doones left. Peterhouse Admissions , are just busy being their awesome selves.
This new thread is a great idea. As a parent of former Oxford applicants, I wanted to ask loads of questions but daren't because the stars of the show were really the students.
Reality Check
Last edited by Oxford Mum; 1 month ago
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Reality Check
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#13
(Original post by Oxford Mum)
As has been pointed out by Theloniouss let's not go over the same ground and focus on instead admissions. I do want to help on the Cambridge 2023 thread where I can, but this is mostly with encouragement and the odd forwarding of a Cambridge Demystified chapter. I can never give the detailed advice given by Peterhouse College. All I can do is cheer the students on.
Theloniouss is absolutely amazing and has really stepped up to the plate since Doones left. Peterhouse Admissions , are just busy being their awesome selves.
This new thread is a great idea. As a parent of former Oxford applicants, I wanted to ask loads of questions but daren't because the stars of the show were really the students.
Reality Check
As has been pointed out by Theloniouss let's not go over the same ground and focus on instead admissions. I do want to help on the Cambridge 2023 thread where I can, but this is mostly with encouragement and the odd forwarding of a Cambridge Demystified chapter. I can never give the detailed advice given by Peterhouse College. All I can do is cheer the students on.
Theloniouss is absolutely amazing and has really stepped up to the plate since Doones left. Peterhouse Admissions , are just busy being their awesome selves.
This new thread is a great idea. As a parent of former Oxford applicants, I wanted to ask loads of questions but daren't because the stars of the show were really the students.
Reality Check

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Ulf
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#14
Didn't realise the parents' presence was that massive last year. But it obviously makes sense to separate the threads. Just wondering how well the separation will work though - I expect overambitious, overprotective or controlling parents still sneak in to the applicants' thread. Oh, well, one can always hope.
As for me I am neither fish nor fowl but kind of involved so would be interesting to follow. Thank you for opening it.
As for me I am neither fish nor fowl but kind of involved so would be interesting to follow. Thank you for opening it.
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Oxford Mum
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#15
(Original post by Ulf)
Didn't realise the parents' presence was that massive last year. But it obviously makes sense to separate the threads. Just wondering how well the separation will work though - I expect overambitious, overprotective or controlling parents still sneak in to the applicants' thread. Oh, well, one can always hope.
As for me I am neither fish nor fowl but kind of involved so would be interesting to follow. Thank you for opening it.
Didn't realise the parents' presence was that massive last year. But it obviously makes sense to separate the threads. Just wondering how well the separation will work though - I expect overambitious, overprotective or controlling parents still sneak in to the applicants' thread. Oh, well, one can always hope.
As for me I am neither fish nor fowl but kind of involved so would be interesting to follow. Thank you for opening it.
The trolling by parents got so bad last year that I just walked away from it, even though I get an enormous amount of joy by helping the students. I am grateful to TSR for taking these steps to help protect people like me. As you say, there may well be other angry parents on the main thread, but what can you do.
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