I go to Oxford, and that post is a gross and in many cases largely inaccurate generalisation. I'm sorry the oxbridge guys and girls you've known are so insufferable. I think you're significantly off the mark taking that experience and making a generalisation that encompasses two entire campus-worths of students. It's a bad depiction that's likely to keep the myth going and put off intelligent but maybe from a state school or that are not the most cocksure (intellectually or socially) of people - but people who could contribute a LOT to the university over time.

People have to know that it's OK to come here and learn new stuff, and be bright and contribute something back in your projects, and later, a PhD; you don't have to come, be socially accepted, show off all the time, and mentally abuse people in debates down at the Union or even just at the bar. Surprised this is front page of HN, tbh. Not sure what values it adds to anyone.