How prestigious is Wadham

Maybe, but unless a potential employer asks which college you went to, there's no reason for them to ever find out. Your college doesn't need to go on your CV; afterall, your degree is awarded by Oxford university, not the individual colleges. And at the end of the day, it is an Oxford degree, which means that regardless of your college, it will be distinct from degrees from other unis.

Reply 7

Minta

Maybe, but unless a potential employer asks which college you went to, there's no reason for them to ever find out. Your college doesn't need to go on your CV; afterall, your degree is awarded by Oxford university, not the individual colleges

An important factor to consider is that colleges my open doors to you through contacts. These can be immensely important in "getting your foot in". A large, wealthy college is likely to be more effective at doing this.

(Not that I think it matters - I applied to the 2nd smallest college at Oxford. My view's just apply to where you'll excel, and you won't have to worry about contacts).

Reply 8

H&E

An important factor to consider is that colleges my open doors to you through contacts. These can be immensely important in "getting your foot in". A large, wealthy college is likely to be more effective at doing this.

(Not that I think it matters - I applied to the 2nd smallest college at Oxford. My view's just apply to where you'll excel, and you won't have to worry about contacts).

It depends on what you want to do, though. If you want to go into Law, the Civil Service, investment banking, then maybe college contacts will be important. However, you can still make contacts by making friends with people from other colleges,and through them perhaps their parents or business associates, and for example if you want to go into academia, you can surely make contacts through being tutored by tutors who don't necessarily belong to your college.

Reply 9

nero076

For something to be "prestigous" it must be perceived to be better in some way by people other than those who make the claim. As far as I am aware the only people who talk about college prestige are those at Oxford colleges.

I definetely agree with babyballerina. "Prestige" seems to come down to: does it have old buildings? Have loads of famous people studied there? If the latter is the case with Wadham I have no idea, but I am sure there's websites that will tell you.

By the way I would not even consider working for any employer who thought the Oxford college I studied at was a factor in employing me. (I doubt there are many).

Reply 10

Minta

It depends on what you want to do, though. If you want to go into Law, the Civil Service, investment banking, then maybe college contacts will be important. However, you can still make contacts by making friends with people from other colleges,and through them perhaps their parents or business associates, and for example if you want to go into academia, you can surely make contacts through being tutored by tutors who don't necessarily belong to your college.

Sure, like I say I applied to a tiny college. However there's no denying there are slightly more contact making opportunities at bigger colleges - there simply are more people.

Reply 11

Joey_Johns

10

H&E

Sure, like I say I applied to a tiny college. However there's no denying there are slightly more contact making opportunities at bigger colleges - there simply are more people.

Hehe. Now you certainly went to a public school with such knowledge :biggrin:

Reply 12

Joey_Johns

Hehe. Now you certainly went to a public school with such knowledge :biggrin:

Knowledge such as more people means there are more chances for you to make contacts??? :confused:

Reply 13

H&E

Sure, like I say I applied to a tiny college. However there's no denying there are slightly more contact making opportunities at bigger colleges - there simply are more people.

Agreed, but your original post cited wealth as also affecting the contacts potential of a college. A college can be large but not rich (read 'prestigious) ie Newnham and Girton at Cambridge. I'm just gnawing the bone here though, ignore me! :smile:

Reply 14

Minta

Agreed, but your original post cited wealth as also affecting the contacts potential of a college. A college can be large but not rich (read 'prestigious) ie Newnham and Girton at Cambridge. I'm just gnawing the bone here though, ignore me! :smile:

Fair enough...

Reply 15

blissy

15

I heard it has been previously known as the "gay" college - like Pembroke and Newnham at Cambridge. That is the extent of my knowledge, as a friend's parents went there (obviosuly not that "gay" then :rolleyes:

)

Reply 16

Joey_Johns

10

H&E

Knowledge such as more people means there are more chances for you to make contacts??? :confused:

No, the accpetance of that fact. A lot of people don't think old boy networks still exist at all and that everything is equal when going for a job. Of course they are wrong.

Reply 17

davey_boy

9

Minta

Maybe, but unless a potential employer asks which college you went to, there's no reason for them to ever find out. Your college doesn't need to go on your CV; afterall, your degree is awarded by Oxford university, not the individual colleges. And at the end of the day, it is an Oxford degree, which means that regardless of your college, it will be distinct from degrees from other unis.

Although they'll almost certainly ask you which college you went to at interview just to check it isn't "Brookes college, Oxford" (it has been tried), although you are right I don't think it makes much difference to anyone.

Reply 18