[P J Mutton]

I'm considering applying to Oxford University this year for Law and am considering the following:

1) Christ Church
2) Lincoln
3) University
4) St Edmund Hall
5) New
6) Worcester

I'm quite passionate about getting involved in ex-curricular political activities, i'd quite like a state/independent mix and would like a fairly friendly college.

Which would be best for me? I have considered going for an Open Application, but am not really sure. Rather stuck in selecting a college.

Any suggestions?

[Craghyrax]

Originally Posted by P J Mutton

Any suggestions?

I've moved your thread to the right forum. Please read through all the guides and stickies and existing resources which will answer your questions.

[hobnob]

Originally Posted by P J Mutton

I'm quite passionate about getting involved in ex-curricular political activities

Those aren't college-based, as far as I know, so your college choice shouldn't affect your chances to pursue that interest.

i'd quite like a state/independent mix

Every college has that.

and would like a fairly friendly college.

That's subjective, really, and depends on who you meet, but I can't think of any specifically unfriendly college.

So those aren't really criteria by which you can narrow down your choices... I'd say visit Oxford if you can and have a look at some colleges to see whether any one in particular strikes your fancy. If that doesn't help, though, and you still find you kind of like them all, you might as well make a random decision or make an open application.
People are making far too much of a fuss about college choice in my opinion - at the end of the day, the factors which will most affect your (un)happiness at a certain college are things which you can't influence, like the people you'll meet once you're there.
Obviously if you do find yourself liking a college for relatively arbitrary reasons like nice people at the open day, a friend who went there and thought it was awesome, pretty buildings or the fact that they have a strong rowing team, you may as well choose that one. But either way, chances are that there isn't just one "perfect" college for you out there, so there's not much point in agonising over it at length, as some people do...

[running from demons]

You could narrow them down on size first- for example the whole of Lincoln would fit in one of Christ Church's quads, Worcester is medium-large with extensive grounds etc...

[jess041288]

I go to New College... its large and very friendly, but I'm sure your other choices are friendly too. Most colleges have similar state/ private mixes of around 50/50. Hertford has the highest percentage of state educated people. Go to Oxford and have a look around, preferably in term time as that's the best time to get a feel for the different colleges. Having said that, we don't go back till early October which may be cutting it a bit fine if you're applying this year. Times Good Uni guide I found very helpful in choosing a college. Hope that helps a bit!

[Athena]

Teddy Hall has horrible food and what I've seen of the accommodation is also pretty dire. New is the closest of those colleges to the Law Faculty.

[wizz_kid]

Narrow it down to 2 and then toss a coin....

[BJack]

Originally Posted by P J Mutton

I have considered going for an Open Application, but am not really sure.

It would be better for you to choose a college than submit an open application and hope that you get given one on your list.

[P J Mutton]

Originally Posted by jess041288

Times Good Uni guide I found very helpful in choosing a college. Hope that helps a bit!

Is this on the the Times Website or is it in their book? Thanks for the tip!

[jess041288]

Originally Posted by P J Mutton

Is this on the the Times Website or is it in their book? Thanks for the tip!

When I applied it was in the book, but that was 3 years ago now so it might be on the site too

[The_Lonely_Goatherd]

Worcester is the best

On a serious note: if you have any questions about Worcester, feel free to PM me

[Hanna27]

Hi

As you’re planning on studying Law I’d recommend Christ Church as it has a fantastic separate Law Library within the college, which is open 24hrs and generally a lifesaver. The college also has its own law society called the Mansfield society which organises guest speakers (Lord Hoffmann visited this year), and trips to various inns of court in London, the House of Lords etc.

Other than that, I chose my college purely on size – If you want to go to a bigger college (where you will meet more people, and generally more will be going on) choose Christ church, or New college. A smaller college there will be less people but will be more intimate.


Overall there are a hundred different things you could consider – accommodation, sports facilities, food etc. But I wouldn’t bother. At the end of the day your application to that college might not be successful, but you might be accepted elsewhere so there’s no point agonising over it too much. You’ll have a fantastic time whichever college you end up at.

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions.