<p>My daughter is interested in an overseas program this summer in France offered through Oxbridge Academic Programs. We want something that is at least primarily academic with a good measure of fun thrown in. This last summer she had a wonderful time with EPGY in London and got interested in doing International Relations as a college major. She is very focused and doesn't want to waste an opportunity on something which may or may not be legitimate. </p>
<p>I am a little put off by the name of the organization, which obviously aims to capitalize on confusion or association with both Oxford and Cambridge, an association which does not exist. I know that some time back there was a brief discussion of this program on CC but the poster did not respond to en email from my daughter with questions.</p>
<p>It is quite costly and so I need to feel very good about this program before we commit to it. I'd appreciate feedback from any parents who may have sent kids to Oxbridge in the past. What are their bona fides?</p>
<p>I think there is an association with both Oxford and Cambridge as this program offers sessions at both the above institutions. My daughter did the Cambridge program a couple of years ago and it was one of the best experiences she’s ever had. I don’t know what you feel would qualify as “legitimate.” My daughter didn’t recieve any “credit” for taking this course, but she learned a lot, had a ton of fun, and really had a strong group, many of whom still keep in contact to this day. They even get together from time to time, and these kids were located on the east coast all the way over to California, with a few Europeans in the mix as well (but they were primarily Americans in her group). You can PM me if you would like to get more feedback.</p>
<p>No…Fairfielder is correct…there is no formal association between the Oxbridge Summer program and the universities. The program simply rents out space from the universities and capitalizes on their name. Programs are typically taught by grad students looking for a little extra money. I highly recommend any immersion program sponsored by a real university over any of the for-profit programs like Oxbridge.</p>
<p>My daughter did the Paris program last year as a high school rising senior. Had a great time - in many ways life changing. Happy to answer questions via PM.</p>
<p>D was taught in a similar program but not called Oxbridge. They were NOT grad students who taught her, and it was a fabulous experience. (Profs taught her.) It really opened her up and also advanced her intellectually. Definitely worth it, we thought.</p>
<p>Her friend did do the Oxbridge one, and chose Oxford as the preferred site. The thing is, different courses & formats for each, so it partly depends on what you want. This friend wanted particular courses which were only offered there. They both enjoyed their separate experiences. </p>
<p>I think one of the less obvious (or immediate) benefits was simply that it opened up my D more to the idea of studying abroad (later in college), which in turn proved convenient when it came to later job offers.</p>
<p>Our son has attended the Oxbridge summer programs for three years. With his returns home, we noticed a young man having grown in maturity, confidence, more interest in learning and experiencing “everything”, and a long list of new friends.</p>
<p>I do have an insight of the concern of the program “attempting to capitalize on a false association with Oxford and Cambridge universities”. This is an incorrect statement! </p>
<p>The founder and the director of Oxbridge Academic Program holds degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Oxbridge runs programs in several colleges of those universities. The students live in university dorms, have access to university facilities and are taught by many scholars associated with the universities. The students enjoy experiencing history of the colleges, eating in the dining halls, playing and relaxing in the quads, and walking the same steps as so many historical figures.</p>
<p>In England, Oxbridge is shorthand for the “league” these two elite universities form (both socially and intellectually), just as the Ivy League in the United States is shorthand for the eight elite colleges in the league. </p>
<p>Oxbridge Academics has expanded with programs offered in France and Spain. The name represents the same quality of programs run in the United Kingdom.</p>
<p>I hope this sheds some light on the misunderstanding. </p>
<p>It is a terrific program and recommend it to young people interested and motivated to learn and to have a very unique experience for the month of July.</p>
<p>I don’t think any of my statements were incorrect.</p>
<p>1) Students do live college accommodation…and pay about double that of a Cambridge student.</p>
<p>2) Students have access to SOME university facilities</p>
<p>3) If by “scholar” you mean poor graduate students like myself then you are absolutely correct. Oxbridge and other summer programs actively recruit grad students to teach these programs. Don’t get me wrong…I have a couple friends that have taught for the program and they’re brilliant, but don’t think for a second you’re getting the top faculty at the university. </p>
<p>4) There is something magical about living in Cam/Oxford, but unfortunately you can’t get a real feel for those cities in the summer…nothing but tourists. </p>
<p>I’m glad your son had a great time. At the end of the day that’s what’s most important…and I don’t want to rain on your parade here…but the fact is that Oxbridge is a for-profit business using the Oxbridge name in a somewhat misleading way. The experience simply is not that authentic.</p>
<p>These programs have no association with Oxford or Cambridge other than that they rent out some space over the summer to run their events… as do many conference style events run outside of the official academic year.</p>
<p>Our experience~
~The admissions office at Oxford told me about just Oxbridge’s summer program when I inquired.
~I understand that there are a couple of different summer programs offered at Oxford and Cambridge.
~This summer program required an extensive application with essays and teacher recommendations-not just a check in the mail.
~DD read through the brochures, and selected the offering at Cambridge. She studied World Affairs-taught by an American Cambridge PHd candidate and Shakespeare-taught by part-time professor/and director of most of the Shakespeare plays in London.
~She attended in 2005-between her sophomore and junior years-and arrived the day after the bombings in London! Their staff was always in contact, and very reassuring.
~Because of the academic rigor, and papers/plays she was involved in, her high school gave her credit on her HS transcript. It may have been the deciding factor in her being selected as valedictorian?
~She had taken classes at local community college, and the special program at flagship school for gifted/bright students, and felt she wanted something new.
~Her understanding of world affairs was expanded BECAUSE there were students not just from California, but throughout the USA and overseas.
I personally would encourage participation in their program, based on the above-</p>
<p>I don’t think anyone here is under any illusions. Yes, these are for-profit programs and the kids aren’t usually being taught by major faculty. But for D, who did the program at Oxford a number of years ago (in fact the same summer as APOL’s D - they had a day trip to London right after the bombings!), the academics, while well-taught and interesting, were the least of it. The best part was living in Oxford, making new friends from all over (some of whom she’s still in touch with) and like jeanbean’s S, becoming more mature and self-reliant. </p>
<p>The same is true with, for example, CTY. The courses were great and D loved them. But she spent four summers there not primarily because of the academics but because of the people: the chance to be with her fellow ‘nerds’ in a community that loves learning for its own sake. Those summers literally changed her life.</p>
<p>Although I have no personal experience with these programs, I don’t doubt that they can be very fulfilling and enriching for those who participate. </p>
<p>However, there is a difference between studying “in” Oxford or Cambridge and studying “at” Oxford or Cambridge. I have no problem with these for-profit summer camp programs, so long as those participating are clear that they are paying for and receiving the former and not the latter.</p>
<p>DW & I were very taken in by CTY (and SIG) when our kids were in middle school. But after sending them there at over a grand a week (several years, at that), we were wondering if it was money well spent. Did the kids like them? Very much so. And they matured too since they lived without us with a bunch of peers. However the academics was nothing spectacular. Classes were primarily taught by high school teachers and were not significantly better than what we had at our local (public) school. I know nothing about Oxbridge, but if it’s in the same league as CTY, it’s probably where a kid experiences life sans hovering parents, and the learning associated with it, rather than anything that’s academic or translates to college credits.</p>
<p>In fact the major academic impact of CTY was the preparation for the SATs in middle school, which, in hindsight may have paid off big time for my kids, especially DS.</p>
<p>Two of D’s CTY courses were taught by grad students working on their PhDs, and the other two were taught by college professors. She took humanities courses, not math or science, and YMMV depending on which campus your child went to.</p>