Somerville vs Worcester or other!
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Somerville vs Worcester or other!I've picked based on 'feeling' Somerville or Worcester College.
I'm struggling to pick between them, since whilst Somerville College had an amazing atmosphere, and felt really comfortable, I'm afraid in terms of other factors such as accommodation, the grounds, the hall, the chapel etc. I fear I'm picking 2nd best to the amazing Worcester
Can you suggest stand-out reasons for going to each college (for those who know either of them) or other colleges which have:
--Good accommodation
--A great atmosphere
--Preferably slightly larger
--Nice grounds
--Maybe a good reputation for History?
In a college I'm not worried about prestige etc. merely going to Oxford would be prestigious enough.
I'm very open to other suggestions of colleges. I thought I should get external advice
Thanks a bunch,
Nick. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!What does 'good accommodation' mean to you? Cheap? Good quality? 3 years or just 2?
I'd personally say base your decision on more tangible things like accommodation. It is impossible to get a true measure of 'atmosphere' on the basis of one open day. You have no idea who your year group will even be! Others would disagree though i'm sure. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!I agree with nexttime that atmosphere is not something to choose a college by -- the feeling you get on an open day is unlikely to be a true representation of the day-to-day atmosphere of the college. If Worcester wins out on other things like food and accommodation, I would recommend you to choose there.
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!On my map of Oxford (as a student you soon discover 20 minutes walk sounding like a marathon) Worcester is on the edge of Oxford and Somerville isn't in it; that would be my justification for picking Worcester. Also Worcester is very pretty and has tasty food, but having not been inside Somerville (though I had to hand in problem sheets there for a term) I can't comment on what it's like for that. Worcester is also rather more traditional than Somerville, but that depends on what you're into.
And of course everyone loves wherever they end up, and of course Merton is the best. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!I've been to Somerville several times, but I agree about tangibility.(Original post by nexttime)
What does 'good accommodation' mean to you? Cheap? Good quality? 3 years or just 2?
I'd personally say base your decision on more tangible things like accommodation. It is impossible to get a true measure of 'atmosphere' on the basis of one open day. You have no idea who your year group will even be! Others would disagree though i'm sure.
Good quality is the main thing, especially space- rather than ensuite. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!If you aren't concerned with price, a college that offers price tiers may appeal to you. I'm sure that info is on websites.(Original post by NeoConNick)
I've been to Somerville several times, but I agree about tangibility.
Good quality is the main thing, especially space- rather than ensuite.
In my experience, Merton, Christchurch and Magdalen have good rooms. I haven't see all that many rooms though, so this is just anecdotal.Last edited by nexttime; 13-07-2012 at 22:34. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!Some 2nd-years at ChCh (partly dependent on grades) live all the way over in Cowley, though.(Original post by nexttime)
In my experience, Merton, Christchurch and Magdalen have good rooms. I haven't see all that many rooms though, so this is just anecdotal.
On the topic of nice accomodation, New College has lovely rooms. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!This guy didn't seem to mind living out of town - he didn't specify 3 years, for example.(Original post by dbmag9)
Some 2nd-years at ChCh (partly dependent on grades) live all the way over in Cowley, though.
On the topic of nice accomodation, New College has lovely rooms.
And i'd imagine New would be sweet too, agreed. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!For me the location is a large part of the 'goodness' of accomodation (another reason why Merton wins(Original post by nexttime)
This guy didn't seem to mind living out of town - he didn't specify 3 years, for example.
And i'd imagine New would be sweet too, agreed.
).
And yeah, a friend's room at New had a double bed and ensuite bathroom.
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!I'm scared to apply to New College. We were told:(Original post by dbmag9)
For me the location is a large part of the 'goodness' of accomodation (another reason why Merton wins ).
And yeah, a friend's room at New had a double bed and ensuite bathroom.
"Very academic college suiting only students with the strongest profiles"
or in other words it will be more competitive than somewhere like Somerville even after pooling & open applications. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!*******s to that. Apply somewhere you'd like to be for three or four years - sure, don't invest yourself completely in going only to that college (because they're all great), but don't let nonsense like that put you off.(Original post by NeoConNick)
I'm scared to apply to New College. We were told:
"Very academic college suiting only students with the strongest profiles"
or in other words it will be more competitive than somewhere like Somerville even after pooling & open applications. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!Told by who? This is something i haven't heard before, and i've been at Oxford for more than 4 years. Other colleges, yes, but not New so far.(Original post by NeoConNick)
I'm scared to apply to New College. We were told:
"Very academic college suiting only students with the strongest profiles"
or in other words it will be more competitive than somewhere like Somerville even after pooling & open applications.
Between 2007 and 2010, 29% of those that applied to New got offers either at New or elsewhere. That is the highest proportion of any college, so people that apply to New DO get in.
These rumours tend to go round and round and then teachers actually end up believing them then you end up with this weird distribution of schools that don't allow people to apply to (New, say) because its 'competitive', whilst the school next door actively encourages people to apply to New because they've had past success and instead discourages Christchurch or something. Its all has no evidence to back it up and is complete rubbish. Its literally just superstition - you may as well ask an astrologist where to apply.Last edited by nexttime; 14-07-2012 at 15:25. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!Are you sure of those statistics?(Original post by nexttime)
Told by who? This is something i haven't heard before, and i've been at Oxford for more than 4 years. Other colleges, yes, but not New.
Between 2007 and 2010, 29% of those that applied to New got offers either at New or elsewhere. That is the highest proportion of any college, so people that apply to New DO get in.
My school. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!Yes - FOI request by Fluteflute.
Plus, see edit above. Schools genuinely do delude themselves that much - another school might encourage you to apply to New as somewhere easy to get in. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!What year was this request from? (Question answered!) I hope this spreadsheet is correct!(Original post by nexttime)
Yes - FOI request by Fluteflute.
Plus, see edit above. Schools genuinely do delude themselves that much - another school might encourage you to apply to New as somewhere easy to get in. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!Its data provided by the university's admissions office.(Original post by NeoConNick)
What year was this request from? (Question answered!) I hope this spreadsheet is correct! -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!Is data is tempting to use! At least it shows that Christ Church isn't as super-competitive as it appears(Original post by RichE)
Its data provided by the university's admissions office. -
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Re: Somerville vs Worcester or other!That's actually the reason this data isn't routinely made public - people don't apply to Christchurch and other colleges because they perceive it as competitive. It actually isn't. This affect is exaggerated when you put other stats in front of people. When people start guessing where to apply based on these highly variable and unreliable statistics, its a great shame, because lots of people do it, it ends up greatly skewing application numbers, and at the end of the day generally people have the most to gain by just applying to the college that appeals to them the most. For example, that spreadsheet gives you no data about your subject - what if its actually really competitive at X college? Or really not competitive at New/Christchurch/other preferred college? Even if you did know that, it would likely change in your year you happened to apply.(Original post by NeoConNick)
Is data is tempting to use! At least it shows that Christ Church isn't as super-competitive as it appears
Feel free to use the info available to you, but do it cautiously.
