HELP! Should i go to Newnham?

I've been made an offer (through the pool) to study NatSci at Newnham but I don't know whether to accept or not. I went to an all girls school until sixth form and wasn't happy there. Then I moved to a mixed sixth form and i really like the mixed environment.
I stayed at Newnham the night before my interview and I tried to approach the college with an open mind. But the food was gross and expensive, my room was so cold I had to sleep in my coat, the nearest bathroom had paint peeling off the wall and mould growing in its place etc. There was a 'coffee party for interviewees in JCR' notice up in the evening, so I walked into the JCR to find about ten people sitting around the room not talking to each other at all, politely passing round a box of biscuits. 'Biscuit?' 'Er..no thanks' non-conversation going on. I assumed that these were all just REALLY nervous candidates so I picked out two girls talking to themselves who seemed older so must be students and started asking them about Newnham. They were really cool and friendly, and they said Newnham was 'ok'. They said they'd had difficulty deciding too...'Maybe I SHOULD have gone to UCL...Mmm' They said you really have to WORK for a social life which is a bit worrying.
Then at about 8pm all the other candidates left me to go and read New Scientist or Biology Review or whatever alone in their rooms. I then realised that some of the girls who'd just been sitting there not talking AT ALL were actually Newnham students.
The next day I had an interview with a transvestite, which is all fine but was a surprise. Both interviewers didn't seem interested in my answers and kept looking round the room. But somehow they gave me a place?!
I think Natural Sciences is a brilliant course and the teaching etc will probly be excellent but will I survive Newnham? Should I accept?

I have the same dilemma (makes at least 3 of us on this board)! Was made an offer by Newnham through the pool and now have to decide between there and Durham. You're one step ahead of me though - I haven't actually visited the college yet.

Are you going to take the offer Fred or are you unsure too?

I'd take the offer... I was in an all-girls school up till sixth-form too (and hated it). I like the school I'm in now, and would never even think about putting my kids through the torture of an all-boys/all-girls school, but uni is different! Your lectures will be mixed, you'll meet guys around the town, and the only time you'll really spend in the college is when you're revising, or attending seminars.

I know Oxbridge isn't everything (in term of social life, etc..), but getting into Cambridge is amazing, and it's only for 3/4 years of your life! You'll have guys swarming around the entrance to your college!

I've been made an offer (through the pool) to study NatSci at Newnham but I don't know whether to accept or not. I went to an all girls school until sixth form and wasn't happy there. Then I moved to a mixed sixth form and i really like the mixed environment.
I stayed at Newnham the night before my interview and I tried to approach the college with an open mind. But the food was gross and expensive, my room was so cold I had to sleep in my coat, the nearest bathroom had paint peeling off the wall and mould growing in its place etc. There was a 'coffee party for interviewees in JCR' notice up in the evening, so I walked into the JCR to find about ten people sitting around the room not talking to each other at all, politely passing round a box of biscuits. 'Biscuit?' 'Er..no thanks' non-conversation going on. I assumed that these were all just REALLY nervous candidates so I picked out two girls talking to themselves who seemed older so must be students and started asking them about Newnham. They were really cool and friendly, and they said Newnham was 'ok'. They said they'd had difficulty deciding too...'Maybe I SHOULD have gone to UCL...Mmm' They said you really have to WORK for a social life which is a bit worrying.
Then at about 8pm all the other candidates left me to go and read New Scientist or Biology Review or whatever alone in their rooms. I then realised that some of the girls who'd just been sitting there not talking AT ALL were actually Newnham students.
The next day I had an interview with a transvestite, which is all fine but was a surprise. Both interviewers didn't seem interested in my answers and kept looking round the room. But somehow they gave me a place?!
I think Natural Sciences is a brilliant course and the teaching etc will probly be excellent but will I survive Newnham? Should I accept?

Its a difficult one. Was it term time when you were there? if not, you have to think about the type of students who would hang around outside of term. Probably not the ones witht he best lifes. Your in the situation that everybody thinks about and rather dreads having to make a disision! Durhams cool, it might be better there.

TAKE IT!! I'm at New Hall and an all-female college poses no problem to your social life. All-female colleges are generally a lot friendlier and more homely. Newnham has the distinct advantage of being right next to the Sidgwick site (where you will have most of your lectures) and rolling out of bed 10 minutes before must be fab (I have to walk 20 minutes and it does make a small difference to your motivation). There are enough opportunities to join societies, to go to the union, during lectures, supervisions that you have outside of college etc. so meeting other people (esp. ones with the same interests) is really easy. All-Girls is great - in a lot of other colleges girls are really vicious towards one another and seem to be in direct competition. People will come and knock on your door and tell you to stop writing your essay and to go out and generally everyone is LOVELY! (beginning to waffle methinks). As for boys coming over - there are no rules at New Hall excpet that male visitors should be accompanied around college after 11pm so you can have male visitors all the time if you want to!

Take it, I was seriously considering another university and I'm so glad I chose Cambridge - it has everything you want and the employment opportunities afterwards are amazing!!

thanks, that's really helpful -i've decided i'm going (grades provided!)

People will come and knock on your door and tell you to stop writing your essay and to go out