[Faisalobeidat]

Hi everyone,
I'm kind of new here, so I'm not sure if this is where I'm supposed to post the thread I have in mind.
Anyway, I'm a French Baccalaureate student with an average of 16.5/20. Just so you know, Oxford applicants are required to achieve 15/20 and Cambridge require 16/20.
I do believe that I have a realistic shot at either Christ Church college of Oxford or Trinity College of Cambridge. I am applying this october and would like to know which one to go with. So any pros and cons you can give me to make the decision easier would be very welcome.
Thanks a lot.

PS: I was thinking either law; Human, Social and Political Science (HSPS) at Cambridge or PPE at Oxford

[h2shin]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
Hi everyone,
I'm kind of new here, so I'm not sure if this is where I'm supposed to post the thread I have in mind.
Anyway, I'm a French Baccalaureate student with an average of 16.5/20. Just so you know, Oxford applicants are required to achieve 15/20 and Cambridge require 16/20.
I do believe that I have a realistic shot at either Christ Church college of Oxford or Trinity College of Cambridge. I am applying this october and would like to know which one to go with. So any pros and cons you can give me to make the decision easier would be very welcome.
Thanks a lot.

What course are you applying for? courses at cambridge and oxford can be vastly different..

[Faisalobeidat]

PS: I was thinking either law; Human, Social and Political Science (HSPS) at Cambridge or PPE at Oxford

[v2p]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
Hi everyone,
I'm kind of new here, so I'm not sure if this is where I'm supposed to post the thread I have in mind.
Anyway, I'm a French Baccalaureate student with an average of 16.5/20. Just so you know, Oxford applicants are required to achieve 15/20 and Cambridge require 16/20.
I do believe that I have a realistic shot at either Christ Church college of Oxford or Trinity College of Cambridge. I am applying this october and would like to know which one to go with. So any pros and cons you can give me to make the decision easier would be very welcome.
Thanks a lot.

Well you seem to have picked arguably the most prestigious colleges at both unis. Did you know that? If so, I would say Trinity is extremely famous for the sciences, whereas according to wikipedia Christ Church has produced thirteen British prime ministers, which is equal to the number produced by all 45 other Oxford colleges put together and more than any Cambridge college (and two short of the total number for the University of Cambridge, fifteen), so I imagine doing PPE at Christ Church would look very impressive.

[Faisalobeidat]

(Original post by v2p)
Well you seem to have picked arguably the most prestigious colleges at both unis. Did you know that? If so, I would say Trinity is extremely famous for the sciences, whereas according to wikipedia Christ Church has produced thirteen British prime ministers, which is equal to the number produced by all 45 other Oxford colleges put together and more than any Cambridge college (and two short of the total number for the University of Cambridge, fifteen), so I imagine doing PPE at Christ Church would look very impressive.

I knew they were prestigious but I did not know that they were the most prestigious. Thanks a lot

[Festina lente]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
PS: I was thinking either law; Human, Social and Political Science (HSPS) at Cambridge or PPE at Oxford

The courses are different at Oxford and at Cambridge (even between the law courses - the structures are really different). Research and choose the course first; if you genuinely don't mind (unlikely) then go on which town you prefer. Visit both if you can.

[Oorlog]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
Hi everyone,
I'm kind of new here, so I'm not sure if this is where I'm supposed to post the thread I have in mind.
Anyway, I'm a French Baccalaureate student with an average of 16.5/20. Just so you know, Oxford applicants are required to achieve 15/20 and Cambridge require 16/20.
I do believe that I have a realistic shot at either Christ Church college of Oxford or Trinity College of Cambridge. I am applying this october and would like to know which one to go with. So any pros and cons you can give me to make the decision easier would be very welcome.
Thanks a lot.

Why do you believe you have a realistic shot at the most famous and prestigious colleges of these 2 elite institutions?

[M1F2R3]

Inb4 Redbrick students arrive.

[Maxm79]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
Hi everyone,
I'm kind of new here, so I'm not sure if this is where I'm supposed to post the thread I have in mind.
Anyway, I'm a French Baccalaureate student with an average of 16.5/20. Just so you know, Oxford applicants are required to achieve 15/20 and Cambridge require 16/20.
I do believe that I have a realistic shot at either Christ Church college of Oxford or Trinity College of Cambridge. I am applying this october and would like to know which one to go with. So any pros and cons you can give me to make the decision easier would be very welcome.
Thanks a lot.

Bonjour
I'd say - focus on which course you want to do first and then visit (if you can) to both universities on an open day, and check out all the colleges.
I think the open days are usually close together so maybe you can take a quick trip across the channel for half a week
I'm saying this because:
a) you may not like one/prefer one university to the other
b) you may hate ChCh or Trinity and decide on another college
c) even if you pick one, there is a chance that, if given an offer, it could be from any of the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge (some people get interviews at University College, Oxford, and end up getting offers at St. Catz, for instance).

However, I will answer your original question. I prefer Christ Church merely because I think the architecture is more pleasing, and to me, Oxford is generally better looking (bit biased, however, since I am an Oxford offer-holder )
I personally know that the rooms at Christ Church are massive and beautiful!
Both colleges are known to be quite "rah", so I don't know if you may want to reconsider - that said, there's bound to be normal, non-rah people there too!!

I found this from the Oxford colleges pros/cons page:

CHRIST CHURCH

The Good Bits

Gorgeous grounds and amazing scenery
The cathedral is obviously on site - therefore making it a bit easier to find out what all the fuss is about (both the building and the chapel choir)
Christ Church meadow (funnily enough) and the river are effectively your back garden - making it rather easy to jog in nice scenery / get down to the boathouse for early morning outings
Free cake! Each student is entitled to a free cake each term (they come in many varieties), which is funded by JCR money. You email the cake rep and your cake is delivered to you, normally within a couple of days. Just a nice little extra.
Formal hall every day, including weekends, and food is pretty cheap. If you opt for the termly season ticket like most people, the three course meal works out at about £1.90 a day.
very generous book grant (around £70 a year) and college will pay for you to stay in oxford over the vacation if you need (but obtaining a vacation grant is very difficult, they are very strict and turn down most applications).
Accommodation for the entirety of your course.
Tom Tower ringing every hour from 8am to 9pm (then the 101 at 9.05pm), so you'll never forget the time during this period! (Could also be a disadvantage..)

The Bad Bits

Tourists can be very annoying - not just during the summer, but as long as there are smatterings of sunshine about. You get to march past them though and stride along the middle of Tom Quad, which can be very gratifying.
You'll be hacked to high heaven in most Union elections
Virtually no cooking facilities in college, so there isn't much of an option aside from hall food. This can be hit-and-miss, although it does cater for loads of diets (halal, gluten-free, etc.). Be warned - there is an obsession for putting currants in everything from carrot salad, rice pudding, bread and butter pudding, carrot cake, risotto, any many many others.
The library's collection of books can be quite limited in certain academic areas, and rather dated (although are willing to buy new books). Opening hours can be limited (but still open until 12).
Contrary to all the denials, Christ Church is the rah/toff capital of the universe. Lots of Eton chaps and Roedean ladies here, but some are actually really nice people. They just travel in an entirely different universe as say some working-class lad from Liverpool who went to a state school. The only work most of them have done thus far in their lives is perhaps help rebuild a village school in Africa during their gap yah. Not that rebuilding a school for kids in Africa isn't noble, it's just that you can be sure that was the first time in their lives they ever held a hammer and a nail.

And this on the Cambridge pros/cons page:

TRINITY COLLEGE

Pros

Rich college
Amazing academic reputation (top of the Tompkins Table for 2009, lots of nobel prize winners)
One of the biggest May Balls
the largest college in terms of undergrads so it's not claustrophobic

Cons

The largest college in terms of undergrads, so you don't get to know and gel with everyone as easily.
Lots of tourists around, especially in the summer
The bar doesn't have a great atmosphere
Hall food is not fantastic, but it is cheap

[la-dauphine]

(Original post by Oorlog)
Why do you believe you have a realistic shot at the most famous and prestigious colleges of these 2 elite institutions?

Bear in mind that for Oxford, anyway, the prestige and fame of the college you're applying to doesn't really affect your chances of getting into the university, because of the pooling system. If a college is oversubscribed but still feels that a candidate is university standard, it places them into the pool and another college may fish them out.

It also may sound difficult to believe but ChCh is one of the LEAST oversubscribed colleges in Oxford:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...hl=en_GB#gid=4

(Go to the last column)

[Faisalobeidat]

(Original post by Oorlog)
Why do you believe you have a realistic shot at the most famous and prestigious colleges of these 2 elite institutions?

I believe that I do for several reasons. First of all I meet and exceed the entry requirements. Second, I understand that showing your enthusiasm for the course you are applying for is important. I have that area covered so far. Lastly, I have read several books related to law, economics, philosophy and sociology so I'm up to speed on all the subjects I'm thinking of applying for and could manage in an interview, should I get one.

[Faisalobeidat]

(Original post by Maxm79)
Bonjour
I'd say - focus on which course you want to do first and then visit (if you can) to both universities on an open day, and check out all the colleges.
I think the open days are usually close together so maybe you can take a quick trip across the channel for half a week
I'm saying this because:
a) you may not like one/prefer one university to the other
b) you may hate ChCh or Trinity and decide on another college
c) even if you pick one, there is a chance that, if given an offer, it could be from any of the colleges at Oxford and Cambridge (some people get interviews at University College, Oxford, and end up getting offers at St. Catz, for instance).

However, I will answer your original question. I prefer Christ Church merely because I think the architecture is more pleasing, and to me, Oxford is generally better looking (bit biased, however, since I am an Oxford offer-holder )
I personally know that the rooms at Christ Church are massive and beautiful!
Both colleges are known to be quite "rah", so I don't know if you may want to reconsider - that said, there's bound to be normal, non-rah people there too!!

I found this from the Oxford colleges pros/cons page:


And this on the Cambridge pros/cons page:

Thanks, this was helpful. However, I do not live in France. I'm from Jordan and visiting both cities could be a problem.

[Maxm79]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
Thanks, this was helpful. However, I do not live in France. I'm from Jordan and visiting both cities could be a problem.

Oh okay - to be honest, the open days are helpful for choosing a college but not essential (the first time I saw the college I got an offer from was at interviews, anyway!).
I think you can order prospectuses and they should send them to you (I'm not sure if there is a cost, though) from the university websites - just google "cambridge undergraduate prospectus" or "oxford undergraduate prospectus". OUSU also do an 'alternative prospectus' and Cambridge's Student Union might do the same thing.

They should give you a better idea

Also good luck

[Oorlog]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
I believe that I do for several reasons. First of all I meet and exceed the entry requirements. Second, I understand that showing your enthusiasm for the course you are applying for is important. I have that area covered so far. Lastly, I have read several books related to law, economics, philosophy and sociology so I'm up to speed on all the subjects I'm thinking of applying for and could manage in an interview, should I get one.

Fair enough.

Do understand that requirements are just bare minima for application, they are not by any means a sure fire for an offer.

[qwertyuiop1993]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
I believe that I do for several reasons. First of all I meet and exceed the entry requirements. Second, I understand that showing your enthusiasm for the course you are applying for is important. I have that area covered so far. Lastly, I have read several books related to law, economics, philosophy and sociology so I'm up to speed on all the subjects I'm thinking of applying for and could manage in an interview, should I get one.

Bear in mind that for PPE you will have to do the TSA.

Maybe it's just because you seem to prioritise choosing Christ Church Oxford or Trinity Cambridge before actually committing to a course/university (The two universities are different in certain ways which might help your decision) but it seems to me that you've thought, "well these two places look prestigious so I think I'll go there and work out the rest later", which is probably not the best attitude to have.

Have you actually looked at what the colleges are like? You might decide later that you prefer the look of another college. Remember, the exams you take as a student at Oxford or Cambridge are university wide, as are the degrees awarded so ultimately the biggest factor in college choice should be whether you feel you could live there for three years and enjoy the atmosphere - not just the one you think will sound better.

[TurboCretin]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
I believe that I do for several reasons. First of all I meet and exceed the entry requirements. Second, I understand that showing your enthusiasm for the course you are applying for is important. I have that area covered so far. Lastly, I have read several books related to law, economics, philosophy and sociology so I'm up to speed on all the subjects I'm thinking of applying for and could manage in an interview, should I get one.

You have shown enthusiasm for law, economics, philosophy and sociology?

As a heads-up, interviews at Oxford and Cambridge aren't about what you know. They're about what you do with what they give you to work with in that room. If they think you're trotting out lines, they'll change tack.

[Lac.]

(Original post by Oorlog)
Fair enough.

Do understand that requirements are just bare minima for application, they are not by any means a sure fire for an offer.

In fairness, it also goes the other way: someone from my school got a 14/20 offer from Cambridge this year.

[Oorlog]

(Original post by Lac.)
In fairness, it also goes the other way: someone from my school got a 14/20 offer from Cambridge this year.

Cherry picking, we don't know anything about the 14/20 offer (EC's, special circumstances..)

Requirement <=/=> high change of offer

[Lac.]

(Original post by Oorlog)
Cherry picking, we don't know anything about the 14/20 offer (EC's, special circumstances..)

Requirement <=/=> high change of offer

Well actually I do know a bit about the offer, and the main gist of it is that they really want this person, so gave them an offer that they know they can acheive (relatively) easily.

[dogmatichurricane]

(Original post by Faisalobeidat)
I believe that I do for several reasons. First of all I meet and exceed the entry requirements. Second, I understand that showing your enthusiasm for the course you are applying for is important. I have that area covered so far. Lastly, I have read several books related to law, economics, philosophy and sociology so I'm up to speed on all the subjects I'm thinking of applying for and could manage in an interview, should I get one.

A large proportion of the people applying for the same course as you have also done everything you've mentioned.....you sound like you would cancel your application if you were pooled out of ChCh/Trinity.