Is applying to Oxbridge worth it?

8

Hi, this is a bit of a stupid question but I was just wondering people’s takes on my situation. I’m in Y12 and want to take a degree apprenticeship for software engineering but am also opening myself up to university in case I can’t get one (though I think it would suck a lot if I couldn’t).. I’m also considering applying to oxbridge or at least applying and taking the entrance exams for practice as they are earlier, I’m not sure if going as high as oxbridge when uni isn’t my first choice is a good idea? I’m also not sure if doing stuff past the A-Level curriculum for computer science instead of focusing on the entry exams would be better for me or has any weight on my appeal if I’m going for an apprenticeship.

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

indigocloud

7

Original post

by shymonkees

Hi, this is a bit of a stupid question but I was just wondering people’s takes on my situation. I’m in Y12 and want to take a degree apprenticeship for software engineering but am also opening myself up to university in case I can’t get one (though I think it would suck a lot if I couldn’t).. I’m also considering applying to oxbridge or at least applying and taking the entrance exams for practice as they are earlier, I’m not sure if going as high as oxbridge when uni isn’t my first choice is a good idea? I’m also not sure if doing stuff past the A-Level curriculum for computer science instead of focusing on the entry exams would be better for me or has any weight on my appeal if I’m going for an apprenticeship.

Not a stupid question :smile:

Why not apply to both? In either case the worst that can happen is a no. Should you be very lucky on the flip side and have an offer from both Oxbridge/a DA you can then choose which option to proceed with at a later date (bearing in mind the relevant acceptance deadlines).

You may need to ask yourself what the overall driver for applying to Oxbridge/a DA is. Are you looking for a prestigious degree taught by an elite institution, or more hands-on ‘real world’ experience through work? It’s worth noting both are extremely competitive and each have their merits/cons. For a DA also you don’t get to choose the uni, so if the uni reputation is important to you you’d need to enquire which DA partners with which uni.

I did a Digital & Technology Solutions DA and finished this year. Currently going through the interviewing process for a Masters degree at Cambridge. Definitely possible to get the best of both worlds if you’re set on it.

Reply 2

shymonkees

OP

8

Original post

by indigocloud

Not a stupid question :smile:

Why not apply to both? In either case the worst that can happen is a no. Should you be very lucky on the flip side and have an offer from both Oxbridge/a DA you can then choose which option to proceed with at a later date (bearing in mind the relevant acceptance deadlines).
You may need to ask yourself what the overall driver for applying to Oxbridge/a DA is. Are you looking for a prestigious degree taught by an elite institution, or more hands-on ‘real world’ experience through work? It’s worth noting both are extremely competitive and each have their merits/cons. For a DA also you don’t get to choose the uni, so if the uni reputation is important to you you’d need to enquire which DA partners with which uni.
I did a Digital & Technology Solutions DA and finished this year. Currently going through the interviewing process for a Masters degree at Cambridge. Definitely possible to get the best of both worlds if you’re set on it.

Thank you for this! I would also like to ask what sort of experience you had prior to the apprenticeship/anything you did to make yourself stand out? I am particularly worried about my experience with computer science outside of exams not being sufficient enough 😓

Reply 3

indigocloud

7

Original post

by shymonkees

Thank you for this! I would also like to ask what sort of experience you had prior to the apprenticeship/anything you did to make yourself stand out? I am particularly worried about my experience with computer science outside of exams not being sufficient enough 😓

It is unfortunately incredibly hard to gauge what would make an applicant stand out for most employers. Each has their own criteria, preferences, and bias (even subconsciously).

From personal experience, my work experience was probably the biggest attraction to employers. I’d worked my way up from a Level 2 Business Admin apprenticeship (from a previous employer) to a Level 3, and the next natural step for me was a degree. My A Level grades weren’t the best when I left school and it meant I missed most of my uni offers. I didn’t want to step out of education but needed a job, so became determined to accept any apprenticeship I could find.

And it worked for me. I really enjoyed the idea of learning and earning as well as seeing real world problems be solved. During that time I’d also pivoted away from admin to IT, and found my passion that way. The DA I applied to was STEM and had wanted relevant A Levels like Computer Science or IT (neither of which I had), but my experience working in IT made up for what I lacked ‘academically’.

One tip I’d say is that soft skills matter more than you might think. IMO communicating well is a big advantage over grades. I’d met some very bright applicants in assessment centres who had nothing less than A* grades, but couldn’t articulate their points well or teamwork effectively. At the end of the day your interviewers need to be convinced you’re right for the job, that they’ll like you, and you’ll get on in the workplace.

Grades aren’t the be all or end all. Any experience (paid, volunteering, or self-projects) that you can use to boost your profile will definitely help.

Reply 4

indigocloud

7

Original post

by indigocloud

Not a stupid question :smile:

Why not apply to both? In either case the worst that can happen is a no. Should you be very lucky on the flip side and have an offer from both Oxbridge/a DA you can then choose which option to proceed with at a later date (bearing in mind the relevant acceptance deadlines).
You may need to ask yourself what the overall driver for applying to Oxbridge/a DA is. Are you looking for a prestigious degree taught by an elite institution, or more hands-on ‘real world’ experience through work? It’s worth noting both are extremely competitive and each have their merits/cons. For a DA also you don’t get to choose the uni, so if the uni reputation is important to you you’d need to enquire which DA partners with which uni.
I did a Digital & Technology Solutions DA and finished this year. Currently going through the interviewing process for a Masters degree at Cambridge. Definitely possible to get the best of both worlds if you’re set on it.

As a follow on from this, I did end up getting an offer for the Cambridge Masters degree.

Is applying to Oxbridge worth it?

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