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Wadham or St Johns?

I read about the colleges before visiting and had pretty much narrowed it down to those two (and Balliol, which turned out to have discontinued my subject the week before) before the open day. St Johns was my favourite, but I booked the open day at Wadham instead and went there first. I only had half a tour and missed the introduction because of subject talks (psychology) but I went back for lunch. At St Johns, I went much later in the day and eventually got a tour but it all seemed very quiet and dejected compared to Wadham. I didn't fall in love with either of them and now I'm stuck for where to apply.

I like the tradition of St Johns but I'm wondering if I might have a better time at Wadham. Looking at the wiki, I prefer the sound of St Johns but on the day, I think Wadham edged it. I think I'll probably wish I'd picked the other whichever I choose. :s-smilie: Maybe somewhere else would be better?

Also, does anyone know if Wadham does bursaries for music lessons? I asked on the open day but they didn't know what I was talking about and said that would be a central thing (but I know other colleges do it). St Johns' old website said it did, but it isn't there on the new version so perhaps they don't anymore. It was just something my music teacher mentioned that would be nice. (I might email if no-one knows, before anyone suggests that.)

Also this is from the St Johns psychology page: "Students are encouraged to attend conferences and participate in research placements and internships during vacation. Generous travel grants are available to support this activity. The Bryant Society (named after the first Fellow in Psychology at St John's) meets regularly for dinners and talks, bringing undergraduates together with our very talented postgraduate psychology community." Does anyone know if Wadham does anything like this?
Reply 1
Avatar for cpchem
cpchem
14
Always trust the on-the-day gut instinct... that's my advice.
Reply 2
Avatar for Meliae
Meliae
OP
cpchem
Always trust the on-the-day gut instinct... that's my advice.

Well my on the day gut instinct was that I didn't feel at home in either of them. So now what? :s-smilie:
Reply 3
Avatar for cpchem
cpchem
14
It sounds like you're more keen on Wadham. I'd be inclined to go for somewhere you've actually looked around than somewhere you've picked out of thin air.
Reply 4
Avatar for Meliae
Meliae
OP
cpchem
It sounds like you're more keen on Wadham. I'd be inclined to go for somewhere you've actually looked around than somewhere you've picked out of thin air.

I like them both in different ways. The main reason I preferred Wadham on the day though, I think was down to the time of day I visited and the fact that it was an open day so I wouldn't like to pick it just for that reason. I don't know what it'd be like to actually live at them. I'm under the impression the social life would be better at Wadham; St Johns seemed more sedate. However, St Johns has a lot of other advantages which as far as I can gather, Wadham doesn't have. Then again, maybe those would turn out to not actually matter in the long run.
Reply 5
Avatar for cpchem
cpchem
14
Meliae
I like them both in different ways. The main reason I preferred Wadham on the day though, I think was down to the time of day I visited and the fact that it was an open day so I wouldn't like to pick it just for that reason. I don't know what it'd be like to actually live at them. I'm under the impression the social life would be better at Wadham; St Johns seemed more sedate. However, St Johns has a lot of other advantages which as far as I can gather, Wadham doesn't have. Then again, maybe those would turn out to not actually matter in the long run.


Such as?
Reply 6
Avatar for Meliae
Meliae
OP
cpchem
Such as?

The ones I mentioned in my first post, being very into music (although I found out at the open day that Wadham now has an orchestra), accomodation all 3 years, still has traditions like formal hall that Wadham has exorcised (yes I know it's not the most important thing, but I like a bit of tradition), then there are other small, silly things which I like. It was always my favourite, but when I visited, I began to think I might regret not being at Wadham, which looks like a lot of fun and perhaps a better atmosphere.
Can't tell you anything about Wadham, but I went to St John's with my college earlier this year and stayed overnight, and liked it so much that it's made me change my mind and decide to apply to Oxford =) I kinda get what you mean about it seeming a little bit dry and cold, but when we were talking to some of the students it sounds like they have looooooads of stuff to get involved in ther (apparently they have really really good music and drama societies), and all the students seemed like really lovely people. Plus St John's are the richest and can give you oodles of financial support, so I don't know if that's something that'd affect your decision. And the accommodation there (although the buildings are mighty ugly) is very comfy =) dunno if I'm much help since I'm not already a student tehre, but I really absolutely loved St John's ^_^ and I was also swayed by the fact that they have an active music society and good facilities. And their library is gorgeous <3
johns is very rich and gives lots of bursaries for thinks

big book grant

cheap laundry

good rooms

etc :biggrin:
From my experience Johns is rich probably because it rips its students off as much as possible. Their bar prices are a disgrace. Library not open 24 hours would annoy lots of people too.
Reply 10
Avatar for sundogs
sundogs
2
I met a tutor from St John's....I didn't like him.

But it's supposed to be very pretty and big and grand and rich
sundogs
I met a tutor from St John's....I didn't like him.

But it's supposed to be very pretty and big and grand and rich


Was it an English tutor? I met two of them and really liked one of them. He was giving about 8 of us on the open day a talk about English, and he walked into the room ranting about the weather then started swearing about everything xD
Reply 12
Avatar for cpchem
cpchem
14
sundogs
I met a tutor from St John's....I didn't like him.

But it's supposed to be very pretty and big and grand and rich


John's Oxford isn't in the least bit pretty. John's Cambridge, on the other hand... :love:
cpchem
John's Oxford isn't in the least bit pretty. John's Cambridge, on the other hand... :love:


The nice bits are -- canterbury and front
Reply 14
Avatar for cpchem
cpchem
14
Turdburger
The nice bits are -- canterbury and front


The sheer vileness of the rest cancels it out.
In reference to your last point, I know people who have blagged themselves a nice travel grant from Wadham. I think it is fairly easy to get. I also know the psych people are always having drinks and stuff.
cpchem
The sheer vileness of the rest cancels it out.


garden quad aint bad either, but tommy white looks like a soviet era concentration camp and the beehive is minging
Turdburger
From my experience Johns is rich probably because it rips its students off as much as possible. Their bar prices are a disgrace. Library not open 24 hours would annoy lots of people too.


bar prices arnt THAT bad, still cheaper than the general oxford prices (just not the pound a pint that balliol gets). Our law library is 24 hours :biggrin:
well my wadham freshers week looks like one week of fun fun fun.

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