Any seniors heading to Oxford/Cambridge in DMV area?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:DCUMers: What would you choose? Oxbridge or HYP? For, say, Math/Physics/Economics?

I know a non-HYP ivy grad who chose a 2nd tier US grad school over Oxford. Part of her logic was that she already has a US ivy degree that was good enough for her so the Oxford name recognition didn't have the pull.

and how did that work out for her? Odd choice. Usually the last degree is the one whose stature gets you the best job placements.

Another part of the student's logic was that the 2nd tier uni was in NYC, and she was betting on networking opportunities in the city. There's really no Oxford brand that her US non-HYP ivy did not have in terms of name recognition.

Sorry, I don't believe that for a second. An Oxford DPhil opens doors Thousands of doors. Just the experience of being there and meeting other students and faculty from around the world opens doors. Why would anyne think this for a second if they had such an opportunity? I would kill to spend a few years at Oxford or Cambridge just for walking around rights, touring, meeting people, going to concerts, the architecture, touring europe and so on.

You are forgetting the kid's undergrad was at a non-HYP ivy - not Cornell. She's already got a plenty of name recognition and opportunities from that alone.

It's as if you were telling Bill Gates or Zuckerberg who dropped out of Harvard, "Sorry, I don't believe that for a second. A Harvard degree opens doors Thousands of doors...".

[Anonymous]

One kid from our big 3 had an offer from Cambridge, I believe, but also an HYMPS offer. Not sure what he will pick.

[Anonymous]

For parents, it is important to remember that Oxbridge matriculants will nearly all be in the top 10% from their 6th Form school. Not everyone can receive a 1st class degree or even a 2/1. So student mental health is an ongoing issue, especially for students who used to be top 10% and now might end up in the bottom tier at Oxbridge. The tripos exams weight heavily and are no joke, even for the best students. If DC matriculates, please provide solid ongoing moral and emotional support, Do not rely on Facetime to evaluate how DC is feeling. Try to visit if you can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The specific college is what matters. Some colleges are technically at Oxford/Cambridge but are decidedly unoxbridge. Unlike in the US, you can only use the resources at your college. So instead of having a grand all-uni library, some colleges have gothic cathedral libraries and some have libraries with aluminum shelves and moldy carpet.

Are you a former student there?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I also do not understand the uncertainty. He is getting a specialized degree without obligatory basketweaving courses in 3 years for a reasonable sum of money. Congratulations!

FWIW, once you pay for everything, it's not a lot cheaper than a US private. But 3 years instead of 4 is a big plus.

Just saying bcs a lot of people look at tuition dollars and that doesn't tell the whole story.

but there are hiring concerns back here in the states. Because the course of study is so precise in UK schools, the question then becomes can what they "read" for at Oxbridge actually translate to a job back in the USA?

I wouldn't worry about that. There are far more people in the world who don't know "Santa Clara" or "Haverford" or, heck, "Williams" and they live to tell the tale. HR knows Oxford.

I know a few recent grads who do quite well working for American companies in London and then arbitrage that experience with a higher role in the US in same company. It's easier to be an American who has a visa to get a job working at Goldman or Microsoft than it is for their American sibling to get that same job at that same company here in US

I would. British universities are only 3 years and it is "reading" only one topic. It's very different from the US system and US employers know this.

You don’t have to put reading in quotes.

Employers aren’t favoring grads who have the widest possible education.

They want engineers with a lot of engineering. Chemists with a lot of chemistry. This so why co-ops are favored now if you want a job. There’s a reason Waterloo grads are the most recruited in SV

Yes, they do because most people reading here have no idea what the british system is like. You "read" in a particular subject. If you pick obscure middle-kingdom Mandarin, then yes you will have problems getting a job out. You read only in that subject. If, similarly, you read in "English", what are you going to do with three years of that back in the states? and there are not recruiters hanging around campus anxious to hire you as there are in the US - Dad of Oxford undergrad

You don’t “read in” anything, you just “read” it. But you don’t need to keep writing it either, you can just say you studied it. I went to Cambridge and while “read” may be the official language, no one actually says that. Everyone understands that in UK universities you study just your subject (some subjects are broader and include more, like PPE). Is that the point that you are trying to make by writing “read” in every post?

I went to Oxford and everyone there says "reading." All the time.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:The specific college is what matters. Some colleges are technically at Oxford/Cambridge but are decidedly unoxbridge. Unlike in the US, you can only use the resources at your college. So instead of having a grand all-uni library, some colleges have gothic cathedral libraries and some have libraries with aluminum shelves and moldy carpet.

Utter nonsense. Most of my tutorials were outside my college. All of my lectures were. And I spent almost all my time working in the Bodleian. Students in all colleges get their degrees from the university, and have access to all the university facilities and libraries.

Please don’t post nonsense when you have no idea what you are talking about.

+1. My kid is at St. Hugh's (70% grad students) where she started as a MPhil candidate and is now DPhil. NONE of her seminars or tutorials are at St. Hugh's. Yet she loves the place (it's known as having the most beautiful gardens - we went for the MPhil graduation and it is indeed lovely. Also, she doesn't have to experience the drunken undergrad students as much as she would have in colleges with more undergrads). She walks all over Oxford daily for her tutorials and meetings with professors. She has high table one night at All Souls then another at Magdalene. It's an incredible experience. But it is what you make of it. No one is going to invite you to the other colleges for high table unless you get out there and meet people. There is no hand holding at Oxford. you must make the experience for yourself.

So are introverts not likely to have a good experience?

There are some introverts who are genuinely happy and contented spending most of their time solo. No one will bother them. But there are also introverts who really crave and need those small-group close friendships. No one will pursue them. They need to decide how extrovert they are willing and able to play in order to meet people. They also need to understand that it takes a lot of time. Compared to Americans, British friends can find it normal to spend a longer window getting to know someone before they drop their guard. If DC is sensitive, emotionally vulnerable, or lacking a strong sense of self, I'd do a lot of work ahead of time to plan and prepare for weathering the transition and for putting oneself out there in new activities.

Oxford grad, MPhil

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For parents, it is important to remember that Oxbridge matriculants will nearly all be in the top 10% from their 6th Form school. Not everyone can receive a 1st class degree or even a 2/1. So student mental health is an ongoing issue, especially for students who used to be top 10% and now might end up in the bottom tier at Oxbridge. The tripos exams weight heavily and are no joke, even for the best students. If DC matriculates, please provide solid ongoing moral and emotional support, Do not rely on Facetime to evaluate how DC is feeling. Try to visit if you can.

This is very true. I have an American student there now so read the Oxford parents Facebook page. Even the British kids (pre-screened by their educational system) have difficulties adjusting and decide to or are asked to rusticate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The specific college is what matters. Some colleges are technically at Oxford/Cambridge but are decidedly unoxbridge. Unlike in the US, you can only use the resources at your college. So instead of having a grand all-uni library, some colleges have gothic cathedral libraries and some have libraries with aluminum shelves and moldy carpet.

Are you a former student there?

I think that’s a pretty obvious no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The specific college is what matters. Some colleges are technically at Oxford/Cambridge but are decidedly unoxbridge. Unlike in the US, you can only use the resources at your college. So instead of having a grand all-uni library, some colleges have gothic cathedral libraries and some have libraries with aluminum shelves and moldy carpet.

Are you a former student there?

I think that’s a pretty obvious no.

+1. My Oxford kid is all over the university every day. There are 39 colleges. He sleeps at one, sees his tutors in two others, takes class in three and visits friends in their colleges. He uses all the libraries for his work. He is always walking so finds it easy to eat what he wants and not gain weight

[Anonymous]

Anyone have experience with Math at Cambridge?

[Anonymous]

We know three people. They loved it, worked all the time, went on to get advanced degrees, and now interestingly they all teach secondary school mathematics. They find it very rewarding.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC was recently accepted. Physics. We are totally thrilled. Despite Oxbridge's obvious strengths in Math and basic science (in addition to other areas, of course), just slightly uncertain about the US vs. UK choice. Are any senior parents facing similar decisions? Any from recent years?

Congrats.
DC currently at Oxbridge after declining offers from 3 HYPMS. Could not be happier with their choice. Will be back to the US after 3 years for grad studies.
Choice of college makes little difference academically, so would just choose one in the center as your DC will then be close to many other colleges and to most social and cultural life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are we even talking about here? Oxford came out early Jan. Cambridge last Jan. RD decisions are yet to come out. So DMV kids are probably waiting to receive those before taking a final call.

FWIW we received a pre-offer letter that was well before the official release date. The college said they let international students know earlier to help them get their financial bursary requests in order.

[Anonymous]

The UK foreign office declined 33% of overseas student visas (across the board) this year, so there will be fewer from the US able to attend than previously.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The UK foreign office declined 33% of overseas student visas (across the board) this year, so there will be fewer from the US able to attend than previously.

Lol. It is not Americans getting into Oxbridge that are being denied visas! It is “students” from developing countries that were using bs diploma mill schools to get into the country and then disappear.