Choosing an Oxford College

Exactly.

Also, looking at your profile, it says you play viola. You'll definitely be welcomed into the flourishing new Fidelio Orchestra, the joint orchestra of Merton and University Colleges, if you come to Merton

Hi everyone, I'm an international student soon to enroll an ivy league school in the US but am considering applying for PPE at Oxford for after my freshman year. For as much as Oxford is Oxford, it does seem like personalities across colleges vary. I'd appreciate any advice on colleges that a student of this profile:
- Politically ambitious (As a PPEist, both for the atmosphere and conversation, as well as the networking possibilities. I'm also interested in debate and the Oxford Union. Which college is known to be the great breeding ground of future Prime Ministers, in Britain and abroad?)
- Academic (both in the focus on work and the seriousness. I love politics, but am not the type to go out to drink and party -- although if the college is friendly I may well be encouraged to learn Just intimidated at too much of a party environment)
- International (re-emphasizing the aforementioned point on networking, as well as adjusting to British culture -- I come from a non-Commonwealth country. In addition, a history of educating foreign politicians, prestige aside, must say a lot about the college?)

Reading about foreign politicians educated at Oxford, most seem to be split among Christ Church (Bilawal Bhutto), St. John's (Thai PM Abhissit Vejjajiva) and Magdalen. Are ChCh and Magdalen too social/into drinking/partying for a slightly uptight international to thrive in? Are any particularly renowned in PPE, and in hosting international students? Among these and others, which colleges come to mind? Thanks!

Hi everyone, I'm an international student soon to enroll an ivy league school in the US but am considering applying for PPE at Oxford for after my freshman year. For as much as Oxford is Oxford, it does seem like personalities across colleges vary. I'd appreciate any advice on colleges that a student of this profile:
- Politically ambitious (As a PPEist, both for the atmosphere and conversation, as well as the networking possibilities. I'm also interested in debate and the Oxford Union. Which college is known to be the great breeding ground of future Prime Ministers, in Britain and abroad?)
- Academic (both in the focus on work and the seriousness. I love politics, but am not the type to go out to drink and party -- although if the college is friendly I may well be encouraged to learn Just intimidated at too much of a party environment)
- International (re-emphasizing the aforementioned point on networking, as well as adjusting to British culture -- I come from a non-Commonwealth country. In addition, a history of educating foreign politicians, prestige aside, must say a lot about the college?)

Reading about foreign politicians educated at Oxford, most seem to be split among Christ Church (Bilawal Bhutto), St. John's (Thai PM Abhissit Vejjajiva) and Magdalen. Are ChCh and Magdalen too social/into drinking/partying for a slightly uptight international to thrive in? Are any particularly renowned in PPE, and in hosting international students? Among these and others, which colleges come to mind? Thanks!

Sounds like you're describing Balliol to me.

I was eyeing Balliol for the longest time because it does have the reputation for being political, but was turned off by its equal reputation of being a social, partying/drinking college? Not a bad thing, but for someone like me, I worry that I may be left out. Moreover, it is a left-leaning college after all, isn't it? So if I'm not mistaken, the politically inclined who do go there are less likely to be politicians inside the system than political activists on the outside (albeit brilliant ones!) -- apologies if that sounds wrong. In that sense, for someone more stuck-up and interested in meeting aspiring politicians of a more traditional mold, would Magdalen, Christ Church or St. John's be better picks? And of those, how can you really choose!?

Though there might be something to be said about PPEists being in a lot of each other's company at Balliol, with things like the Cerberus society adding to the experience. Is the experience of a PPEist and Balliol any different than that in colleges like Magdalen, Christ Church or St. John's?

With regards to Worcester vs. Merton for Maths:

Worcester's bar, grounds, and iirc food are nicer than Merton's, although Merton's chapel is nicer.
Also, a couple of the first year maths lecturers are tutors at Worcester, Robin Knight and Richard Earl.

You may think i'm biased but the Worcester in my name is because i live in Worcestershire, I don't go to either college.

With regards to Worcester vs. Merton for Maths:

Worcester's bar, grounds, and iirc food are nicer than Merton's, although Merton's chapel is nicer.
Also, a couple of the first year maths lecturers are tutors at Worcester, Robin Knight and Richard Earl.

You may think i'm biased but the Worcester in my name is because i live in Worcestershire, I don't go to either college.

Hi, which is the best/highest achieving college at Oxford for studying Law with Spanish Law (Law With Law Studies in Europe)???

Any help would be much appreciated

Hi, which is the best/highest achieving college at Oxford for studying Law with Spanish Law (Law With Law Studies in Europe)???

Any help would be much appreciated

Thanks for the reply! Food sounds important, I don't suppose you'd be able to elaborate? And wouldn't the first year lecturers change from year to year? (I don't really know, but I'd imagine that first year lectures aren't something anyone particularly wants to take, and it would get rotated around the department?)
Thanks!

You totally live in the West Midlands, not Worcestershire.

Also, Worcester's buildings aren't as nice imho - I don't like the front quad thing in Worcester, though I'll concede the lake is nice. And Merton's food totally rocks. And a lecturer being a tutor at your college is a *disadvantage* because then they'll notice if you're not at the lecture. If the lecturer doesn't know you then you can skive the lecture.

Err...well I was interviewed at Worcester and loved the food, and had formal at merton, and thought it was pretty good, but Worcester's was better. Erm...the 1st year lecturers change from time to time, but i believe they were the same this year as last.



Worcester's buildings and front quad are far more beautiful. Merton doesn't even have grass in its front quad. And it's not a disadvantage for maths, because there's no way a lecturer will notice if you're not one of the 200 odd faces in a lecture.

You totally live in the West Midlands, not Worcestershire.

Also, Worcester's buildings aren't as nice imho - I don't like the front quad thing in Worcester, though I'll concede the lake is nice. And Merton's food totally rocks. And a lecturer being a tutor at your college is a *disadvantage* because then they'll notice if you're not at the lecture. If the lecturer doesn't know you then you can skive the lecture.

Each to their own I guess, and I will admit I'm biased, but I think Worcester's quad is the most spectacular in the university. Mainly because of the openness of a three-sided quad (intended by the architect) and the contrast in the age of the buildings (very much unintended).

Worcester's buildings and front quad are far more beautiful. Merton doesn't even have grass in its front quad. And it's not a disadvantage for maths, because there's no way a lecturer will notice if you're not one of the 200 odd faces in a lecture.