Is it possible to change colleges?

Hi,

I'd just like to ask if anyone knows anything about changing colleges (esp. at Cambridge) before starting studies. I applied successfully in 2004 and deferred entry to 2006, so I haven't officially become a member of a college yet. I'm a mature student (but a 'young' mature student--I'm only 22), and after inquiring with some colleges, I followed the advice given by some admissions tutors to apply to a mature college.

But now I realise that I may be better off in another college. I've been reading in some forums (including a thread in this one) that mature colleges may not offer the best uni experience for undergrads, and I also found out that other non-mature colleges can offer more financial support (I'm an overseas student, so cost is a factor). Because of this, I'm trying to find out if I can transfer to another college.

I inquired with the university admissions office of Cambridge about this, but I haven't gotten a reply yet.

So does anyone know anything about changing colleges? Any help would be welcome.

Can only speak for Oxford with any certainty but here it would be extremely unlikely by now a college will have made all the offers it wishes to and its places will be filled.

Thanks for the reply, RichE.

I was thinking though that since I'm entering Cambridge in October 2006, there's still time for me to go through all the processes necessary (i.e. I can ride the admissions round this 2005, for students starting their studies in 2006). Would it still be unlikely if this is the case?

well the camb system sounds quite different to the one I know - sorry, but I didn't read your first post thoroughly - how is is that you are not associated with a college? You are going to be doing an undergraduate degree? I'm surprised someone somewhere isn't guaranteeing you a place

Oh, I meant that since I haven't formally started my studies/matriculated/registered yet, I'm not yet an official member of a college.

Perhaps an informal enquiry with Admissions Tutor at the undergrad college of your choice might help?

Which mature college did you apply to? Some of them are fairly friendly and social. Don't assume just because you're at a mature college you're not going to have fun.

I'm not sure about the situation with undergraduate admissions, but it is possible to change college for graduate admissions. I applied very late in the cycle for admission in October 2003, and I was accepted by the department, but all four of the colleges I listed as my preferences rejected me, and I ended up getting an offer from Sidney Sussex instead. In the end, funding was also a problem because I had missed most of the scholarship application deadlines, so I had to turn down the offer from Sidney. I therefore deferred my offer from the department for a year, during which I managed to find funding and I also received an offer from St. John's, which was my first choice.

Wow, that is good news. I'm glad that it worked out for you. Hopefully, they allow undergrads to change colleges too.

They don't, at either Cambridge or Oxford it's unheard of - unless you want to change courses, having been at the University for a while, and your college doesn't provide that particular course. And even then, it's still unlikely, as it'd be easier simply for you to go to tutorials at other colleges - just as most undergraduates end up doing anyway.