Why Oxford or Cambridge?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:25 pm

In defense, I Personally don't possess a degree

, so can anyone of you wonderful people clarify why these two Uni's are The place to go for one.

Having worked with several people, and know several others that have either got their degree's from one or other of these prestigious universitys, but being unable to ask, for fear of being seen as truly thick

, I cannot in all honesty understand what's the point. The people I know, whilst thoroughly nice, don't appear to have any advantage. Work in jobs that I with mere 'A' Levels have access to.
A Degree, is a degree, isn't it?
What's the lure of Oxford and Cambridge?

When it comes to grammar, my only interest is that my child needs challenging, and is, and has been, bored to tears with the primary work pushed at him. So I can see the positives of grammar.

I understand the need of a degree, but just can't see why it would be better from these particular Uni's..

Any thoughts?????

(Please be gentle

)

Catherine · Post by **Catherine** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:45 pm

I am quite interested in the question as well.

Is it the uni name that give an advantage on the job market, or do students acquire a greater knowledge or experience than those who attend other universities?

Bexley · Post by **Bexley** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 2:49 pm

I know of a friend's nephew who had excellent results all the way through school, uni etc and wanted to become a lawyer.

He had a placement and sponsorship (I think) at a very top firm of solicitors and they seemed perfectly happy with him, but at some kind of interview at the end of his time there, he was asked why he had not applied to either Oxford or Cambridge for his degree. He was not offered a position. How much was down to this I don't know.

bacantab · Post by **bacantab** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 3:11 pm

The reputation in the job market is a very important factor - Oxford & Cambridge are highly regarded internationally and a good degree from one of them will always be an advantage over the same class of degree from one of the more recently established ex-polys (excellent work though some of them do in some specialised areas). As a Cambridge Maths graduate myself I can confirm it is not an automatic path to riches (!) but having coasted fairly happily through girls grammar school, Maths at Cambridge was the first time I really felt challenged, no longer easily the top of the class - and thoroughly enjoyed both the subject (mostly!) and the opportunities for music (choirs & orchestras etc). The college system with individual (one-to-one or one-to-two) tuition combined with central lectures means a high quality of teaching. Plus they are delightful places to live and study, often with good quality accommodation compared to some other unis, and the entry requirements mean that your fellow students are among the brightest in the country.

Of course, Oxbridge will not suit everyone, there are some individual subjects where other universities would be better places to aim for, and not everyone who would benefit from Oxbridge will get in (including presumably my son if I put my degree on his UCAS form????

). But anyone with strings of GCSE A*s and a passion for their subject should certainly consider it.

Catherine · Post by **Catherine** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:52 pm

I no one is against it, I would suggest that this topic is moved to 'beyond 11+', as there are already a few 'Oxbridge' related topics there..

ThursdaysGirl · Post by **ThursdaysGirl** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:57 pm

Anonymous wrote:In defense, I Personally don't possess a degree , so can anyone of you wonderful people clarify why these two Uni's are The place to go for one.
(Please be gentle )

Gentle is my middle name, 'ThursdaysGentleGirl' just way too long to keep typing in as screeny... <Ok, so I fib a little>

Both are world class educational institutions with reputations for excellence.

Oxford and Cambridge are the only two British universities that appear in the world's top 10 in all rankings.

Both show very small drop out rates: Cambridge; 97.9 per cent of those who arrive complete the course and Oxford 95.1 per cent.

There was a time that it was more to do with being part of the social elitist gang, now and more recently over a number of years both universities are trying their hardest to promote on academic elitism rather than social.

However, there are many, outstanding, excellent Universities to be found within the UK.

Bewildered · Post by **Bewildered** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 12:19 am

from Times online, University league table 2007

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/displayPop ... 71,00.html

BW

Ambitious mum · Post by **Ambitious mum** » Fri May 18, 2007 9:01 pm

I am just about to move with my job, and I wondered if anyone knew what constitutes a deprived postcode for university admissions purposes? I'm sure I have read somewhere that this is one of the criteria by which admissions tutors can satisfy the government that they are widening access. As I don't much care where I live and my son is coming up to 17 I thought I might as well maximise his chances of admission to a top university in a relatively painless way (might even save myself a bit of money too if the property is cheap!) Does anyone know if there is a list anywhere of which postcodes admissions tutors woud be thrilled to see on a UCAS form? Grateful for any advice.

ThursdaysGirl · Post by **ThursdaysGirl** » Sat May 19, 2007 12:11 am

Ambitious mum, hi,

I giggled at your, ‘I could live in a cardboard box’ statement, and if honest, actually admired such… Me on the other hand I am the modern day, ‘Princess and The Pea’ girl… Damn, I always hated those peas! <She giggles>

An article that I read in The Daily Mail quite some time back, reminded me that they are already aware that clever thinking from those with a little brain cell calculation would be figuring such a move:

Quoted from the Daily Mail - 19th November 2005

‘They say there would be no way of proving whether the personal information was true.
The changes could also lead to better-off parents trying to play the system by moving house just before their child applies or renting properties in deprived areas.’

Personally I disapprove and have already made my thoughts known that, ‘Postcodes’ should have NO preference over, good qualifications. Each child should be taken on their merit. My own child who starts university this year, often, throughout, GCSE and her A’ levels, felt depleted that the EMA structure was incorrect! Her constant bug bear being; who was giving her a bonus for getting great grades and patting her on the back with a nice little bonus!?’ We (as parents) have always insisted she reaches her potential for her own self esteem, not because she was being paid or rewarded to do so… Sometimes even I wonder.

Hey, ambitious mum the idea, however, works for me and I say why not? Sometimes, Big Brother (otherwise known as the government) push us to such silly levels.

Night.

Bitter sweet, Where are we now?...<hehe>

Ambitious mum · Post by **Ambitious mum** » Sat May 19, 2007 1:41 pm

Thank you for that, Thurday's Girl. Sadly the son in question is not likely to get far on his own merits, being a tad on the lazy side, although of course he is extraordinarily clever! I think I am getting obsessed, I spend so many hours thinking up ways to play the government at their own game, but this is the only one I have come up with that had a reasonable chance of being put into practice. I am also much too soft to force him to attend a sixth form in a failing school to enable him to collect the brownie points for that. Your daughter sounds great. Do a lot of her friends get EMA? If so that must be very galling for her!

Why Oxford or Cambridge?

Why Oxford or Cambridge?

Re: Why Oxford or Cambridge?

Postcode admissions