Much like the traditions within it, the Oxbridge application process is unique. From early deadlines to entrance exams and interviews, it is certainly an additional stress placed on an already demanding final year of school. Amongst all of these anxieties, it is important to consider the parts of the application process that help to mitigate such anxieties, one of which is the Oxbridge “offers day”.

One week of my final year of school sticks in my mind. It was approaching the Easter holidays and revision was ramping up. By this point, I had already been rejected from Oxford and was yet to hear back from either LSE or St. Andrews. Having been predicted strong grades, I felt confident that I would receive an offer from one or both. I would sit my A-Levels and come September 2023, and then I would be heading off to either London or the Scottish coast.

“Although January is certainly not as early as it could be, it provides enough time to allow applicants to process the outcome of their results and suitably plan for the future”

This world came crashing down when, within two days, I had been rejected by both. Suddenly, my plans were thrown into doubt. Emotionally invested in the future I hoped to achieve, I abruptly had to sort out what I was doing from results day onwards. Fortunately, after taking a year out and having a successful reapplication in the following year, I have ended up on the better part of the “Oxbridge” amalgamation; they say good things come to those who wait.

But, amongst the worries that competitive application processes inevitably create, it is important to praise elements of the system which help reduce such stresses, one of which being the offers day. The most obvious point is their timing. Although January is certainly not as early as it could be, it provides enough time to allow applicants to process the outcome of their results and suitably plan for the future. Having experienced both acceptance and rejection, I can remember the Oxford response being disappointing but, within a week, I had moved onto the “acceptance” stage of grief. For me, part of this stemmed from the fact that I knew on that day I would find out what the outcome would be. I think that subconsciously I had rationalised either outcome, which allowed me to move past the rejection and continue with my studies.

“It felt more that my application, rather than me personally, had been rejected”

Part of the reason why the LSE and St. Andrews rejections were so disheartening was that there seemed to be a stronger personal element to it. I can remember looking at The Student Room’s LSE application spreadsheet, and seeing History responses steadily flow through over several weeks. This gave me the impression that when the Admission Tutors came to my application, they looked at it and decided “no”. At the time it felt massively personal, that they did not want me. Of course, this was a largely irrational response, and there are equally elements of the Oxbridge application system that may have a similar effect. Indeed, some may point out that an interview is as personal as it can get.

At least for me, though, I felt that the rejection I received in 2023 was because someone else was more suitable than me, not that they didn’t want me. Disappointing of course, but weirdly comforting. I think part of this stems from the offers day concept. The Oxbridge rejection felt as if my application had been weighed up against others and ultimately, there were other candidates better placed. It felt more that my application, rather than me personally, had been rejected. Coming unexpectedly within a few days, these rejections became hard to contextualise and inevitably led to excessive self-blame.

The Oxbridge application process is many things: intense, competitive, and exhausting, to name a few. It is also in constant adaptation, particularly as technological change brings with it new opportunities. As the application system evolves, it is important to remember the traditional elements which can help mitigate such stresses. The Oxbridge offers day certainly does not remove all anxieties, but it undeniably gives a stronger sense of clarity and objectivity to a process that can often feel overwhelming and deeply personal.

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