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For all potential Oxbridge Classicists, go to Bryanston!!

my bro went to bryanston this year. full of wyckamists (winchester college) who were about 2 years ahead of everyone else in latin / greek. and lots of other private school toffs who weren't as bright but were more 'smug'.

Reply 41

John Wesley H

I've never been particularly fussed about the whole bryanston thing. It's not really necessary anyway, particularly if youre just going there for a top up before you head off to oxbridge. Working at home might not be as intense, but it certainly is cheaper!

That said Bryanston, judging from friends of mine that have been there, does a wonderful job in nurturing those who have never done any greek before and are uncertain whether classics will be the degree for them. It's just a shame for those that go there, spend the money and find it's not really their cup of tea.

Reply 42

Alexander

12

fairieboi

did anyone like the DJing in the room opposite the bar for the last 3 nights?

Yes -- "Club Ed" was truly wonderful!

Reply 43

bigjcoool

OP

Toni Mag

my bro went to bryanston this year. full of wyckamists (winchester college) who were about 2 years ahead of everyone else in latin / greek. and lots of other private school toffs who weren't as bright but were more 'smug'.

Who was your bro?

Reply 44

Tess06

bigjcoool

Nope... But he did live on the Channel Islands, and goes to school (I thought he was in his late 30's when I met him, but he's actually just going into his upper sixth) and goes to school at Fettes College, which, apparently where Tony Blair went - very interesting...

was his name James Angus????????? I KNOW HIM!!!! OMG....yes, he's insane, but he's all right really...he's a prefect next year..lord help us...

Reply 45

fairieboi

ZsaZsa

was his name James Angus????????? I KNOW HIM!!!! OMG....yes, he's insane, but he's all right really...he's a prefect next year..lord help us...

haha. it was james angus indeed.

Reply 46

Tess06

i know exactly the man ur talking about, then...i'll have to ask him if he enjoyed the course..he's always been very nice to me, but other people feel a bit intimidated by him...lol

Reply 47

fairieboi

ZsaZsa

i know exactly the man ur talking about, then...i'll have to ask him if he enjoyed the course..he's always been very nice to me, but other people feel a bit intimidated by him...lol

he was really nice whenever i did speak to him; johnny (bigjcoool) was in his room, along with deathchild who was silent and very very deadly

Reply 48

bigjcoool

OP

James Angus was, indeed, very nice, just not quite what I'm used to... I was absolutely stunned when I found ou the was just 17. Btw, someone else must remember bananamail... it was the greatest invention ever (even if I do say so myself...)

Reply 49

ryan750

2

hi - i hope this doesnt come across rude or offensive - but i would like to know what careers people that do classics hope to do?

Reply 50

bigjcoool

OP

Anything in the commercial sector really, and preferably something international. I chose to do Classics because I love its combination of subjects, and particularly its flexibility when it comes to Greats (the third and fourth years of the degree). It seems silly to me, particularly in my prospective career path, to choose a degree based solely on the prospect that it directly relates to one's intended future (though, of course, there are unequivocal exceptions, notably in the sciences). I feel that I will definitely be as employable as anyone else who has, say, a Business and Finance degree, or a Law degree, because I know that employers truly value the breadth of skill that Classicists need to complete all the aspects of their degree (Usually both Latin and Greek, with both their canons of literature, philsophy, including logic, though beginning in the pre-socratic era, ancient history, philology, and some aspects of politics and political theory). On top of all of that, any degree from Oxbridge has such academic kudos that it almost doesn't matter what you study there - the fact that you did gives any job application some serious weight, I believe. Some law firms, as has already been discussed, though surely wrongly given the calibre of other universities, will still only employ ex-Oxbridge candidates.

(The reason I did such a long post now was because I knew the question "Why didn't you choose a more relevant(!??) - Classics is just as relevant as the other arts subjects - degree?" would inevitably follow. :rolleyes:

Reply 51

H&E

3

bigjcoool

I feel that I will definitely be as employable as anyone else who has, say, a Business and Finance degree, or a Law degree

While credit is due for that impressive piece of rhetoric, it's not actually true. Though class of degree remains the key consideration for employers, subject remains important. Not universally, of course, but plenty of City firms will look favourably upon graduates with relevant degrees. Why wouldn't they? It shows interest and aptitude in the field, as well as providing some useful experience which will allow you to settle into the firm more smoothly.

Like I say, class of degree is what matters most, so, even outside less materialistic considerations you should still do the subject you're most passionate about. But it's wishful thinking to think all subjects are equal in the eyes of employers. They're not.

Reply 52

bigjcoool

OP

You say this, but, from discussions with partners in big London law firms (Freshfields, Lovells, etc), as long as the class of degree is good - as you stated - they don't really mind what subject the degree is in, as long as the institution it was at, and the subject it was in, purports that lots of hard work was required to complete the degree. What was most important was that the candidate was truly interested in, and passionate for, their prospective field of employment, which is possible, even with a degree in a different subject. At the same time, that isn't at all to say that I, as an Oxbridge Classicist, would have anything, in terms of subject, over someone with a Business and Finance degree, for example, but the partners I spoke to affirmed me that there was always the possibility to "specialise later," if the firm in question wanted you to, with Law conversion courses, for instance.

On a personal note, I felt it was most important to have an Oxbridge degree, and therefore though felt, perhaps incorrectly, that it didn't matter what subject it was in, and so chose the one which I felt I would most enjoy and would be unable to study in such depth in the future, unlike PPE and E&M: subjects I hope my work will be closely linked to in later life.

Enough prolex waffle... :redface:

Reply 53

H&E

3

bigjcoool

Enough prolex waffle... :redface:

Well quite. None of what you say is wrong - you do not need an Economics degree to work in the City. But there are certainly times where it'll help you, especially when the market's a bit down and fewer jobs are around.

Oh, and, you're doing quite a disservice to PPE and E&M by suggeting you can get equivlanet depth of study in these field professionally. It's not far from suggesting becoming a lawyer is analogous to reading Classics, because you'll learn a lot of terminology in Latin.

Reply 54

Feefifofum

16

bigjcoool

James Angus was, indeed, very nice, just not quite what I'm used to... I was absolutely stunned when I found ou the was just 17. Btw, someone else must remember bananamail... it was the greatest invention ever (even if I do say so myself...)

I might, just might remember bananamail! Katie (the girl going to New this year) was friends with someone in my room. She's extremely shy but v nice.

Reply 55

fairieboi

Lady Feef

I might, just might remember bananamail! Katie (the girl going to New this year) was friends with someone in my room. She's extremely shy but v nice.

haha the elusive katy waterfield...
johnny and i sent her bananamail most days, as she was the fourth member of the new college contingent (consisting of Johnny, me, and Josh).
she also wears a lot of green.

Reply 56

bigjcoool

OP

H&E

Oh, and, you're doing quite a disservice to PPE and E&M by suggeting you can get equivlanet depth of study in these field professionally. It's not far from suggesting becoming a lawyer is analogous to reading Classics, because you'll learn a lot of terminology in Latin.

You have a very valid point; I bow my head in shame for my utmost disservice to the merits of your course. :frown:

Reply 57

snak3uk

bryanston was...interesting. we spent most of our time sitting outside on 'cannon square' with copious amounts of beer, or in the greyhound in the town.
however, we still managed to read medea, plato and odyssey 24 which was quite impressive in 2 weeks....

Reply 58

CamSPSer

"cannon square"? whats that

and the greyhound, oh what a pub! I went in there about three times, which was probably three times too many. All the decent pubs are a drive away unfortunately

Reply 59

snak3uk

cannon square was just outside where everyone left their books, by the long corridor. we were continually out there, with loads of crates of grolsch/stella. greyhound was cool. did a good pint of HB export. we all went down in the pretence that we'd actually be doing some work, then just getting all our stuff off perseus in the internet cafe :smile:

For all potential Oxbridge Classicists, go to Bryanston!!

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