The Oxford Postgraduate Thread

Hi everyone. Just noticed this thread-good idea! I felt so bad even saying that I got an offer on the applicants thread to be honest! I know I would have been so disappointed. We are really lucky though! Go us! I've an offer for the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice. My college choices were Merton and Corpus Christi. Gosh, I hope I'm not pooled! I also have an offer from Cambridge and was pooled to Hughes Hall (which is nice but a modern(ish) grad college on the outskirts of town). I know it's still Cambridge and all but you can't help feeling slightly disappointed, even though everyone always says you'll enjoy it wherever you are (yada, yada, yada). It's amazing how quickly one's anxiety focus moves from "will I get in?" to "will I be pooled?" So, I see CooCooCachoo also has an offer from Cambridge. Anyone else in the dilemma of wich one to pick? I have friends at both this year but they're naturally biased. I'd like to hold out to see about colleges but I feel myself veering towards Oxford a little due to a slightly different course emphasis. Ahhh, decisions, decisions....

i have plenty of fun, i just don't do enough work! i did my undergrad here as well so i guess my perspective is a bit different from what you'd get as a newcomer.

It's such a tough situation, isn't it? But it's an enviable situation nonetheless, and it really forces you to delve into the programmes even more to figure out what you want to get out of Oxbridge. I also find myself veering towards Oxford, mostly because the degree seems more rounded and because it was my first choice when I applied for both. I told myself to really base my decision on the academic specifications. Even though I also have friends at or going to both Oxford and Cambridge, I don't think it's fair to factor this in.

Silly as this may sound, I also think Oxford might be right because of a gut feeling. I know it's entirely irrational, but my mother has always told me to follow my instinct. Too many times I have bypassed her advise only to find out that it was worth listening to. The Oxford degree was the one I marked as my first choice when I applied for both and when I had to rank them for my scholarship application. I think this is a very meaningful reflection as well. But while this play a role in the back of my mind, I will still decide based upon the features of the MPhils.

Good luck making the decision

i have plenty of fun, i just don't do enough work! i did my undergrad here as well so i guess my perspective is a bit different from what you'd get as a newcomer.

Congrats! Good luck sorting out the finances/funding. To be honest, the likelihood that you will be fully funded by college is infinitesimal. If I recall correctly, Oxford's bursaries rarely cover all expenses. Did you apply for any Singaporean or other scholarships?

Haha! The eternal student dilemma strikes again. It's amazing how you convince yourself that you simply must go to this friend of a friend of a friend's birthday party when you have a major essay due in a couple of days! I'm sure everyone feels the same. It's hard to find a balance. Having said that, I'm hoping to be a little more balanced than I was for my undergrad. A little less of this: , a litle more of this:

I did apply for the Chevening Scholarships, Claredon Scholarships, and other potential scholarships here in Singapore. But everything is pending - in the process of being called up for interview, in the process of maybe/maybe not being shortlisted.

Would be eternally greatful if there were any forthcoming funding from the colleges. It would take a great financial burden off myself and my parents. *cross fingers*

Haha! The eternal student dilemma strikes again. It's amazing how you convince yourself that you simply must go to this friend of a friend of a friend's birthday party when you have a major essay due in a couple of days! I'm sure everyone feels the same. It's hard to find a balance. Having said that, I'm hoping to be a little more balanced than I was for my undergrad. A little less of this: , a litle more of this:

If you don't get any funding, will you still venture to Oxford?

Hey!
Good idea to start this thread.
For me I'll be doing the MPhil in Political Theory, and I applied for Nuffield as my first choice, and Balliol as my second. Does anybody know how long it takes the colleges to get back to us? I know the Oxon website says we should expect a response by May 28.. but I'm hoping it's sooner than that..

Congrats to all the admits!! I'm *super* excited about going to Oxford.

Balliol are almost always horrendously oversubcribed for graduate students- I think they were second most popular overall and first for graduates in the last two years, so I would be surprised if you got an offer- based on it being your second choice- they can usually fill the college twice over with first choices, so don't have to look at seconds or the pool- that might change though, but I doubt it. Nuffield is a strange one- personally I'd hate it there- there's about 20 freshers a year and about 70 students, so the graduate community is tiny and not all that closely knit either. Some people love that though, as it gives them freedom from their college crowd- 90% of the people I know in Oxford I know through Balliol or my faculty. Nuffield is also oversubscribed due to its small capacity, so in your case it could be a while, and you might have to prepare yourself to be offered neither unfortunately.

I reckon St Ant's is underrated though, every party I've been to there has been good- it's in a decent part of town and close to most things, and despite being a post-WWII college the architecture is nice in parts, 60s in others- but then again so is Balliol.

Agrippina,

Congrats! Btw, awesome name. I've applied for the M.St in Classical Archaeology too, did you receive your letter via email or regular post? I'm in the States so hoping I got in but haven't received an email either! I also chose Brasenose as one of my colleges, and Lincoln too I believe. What area/time frame are you planning on studying?

Congrats again!!