Balliol College (Oxford) Students and Applicants

The gym is geared towards the rowers, so lots of ergs, there's a decent variety of weights machines and free weights, some cycling machines (fairly old), and some room in the middle for mats to be put down for core work etc. The end wall is mirrored (with the ergs in front of them), and its generally kept at a good temperature. It is next to the bar though, so there is temptation... :P It's fairly small - if your needs go beyond this you could always go to the gym at Iffley, about a 15 min walk. I'm afraid I can't remember about football teams, but I know there was a group of lads that regularly went to Jowett and had a kick about, and we took part in Cuppers.

Oh, thank you.

Is it busy? I like rowing machines but don't plan on taking up rowing. Will the rowers get pissy if I'm hogging their machines?

What's the gym like?

And does anyone know anything about the standard of the football teams?

Are you joining the football team when you get there because that's top of my to do list at the moment lol.

I don't know what Balliol bops are but what you just said made me more depress

Ohhhhh if you get in you'll know what an Oxford bop is!!! Good luck btw

Btw you should be here: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=334323 Although thread looks quite dead

That is why I am here! The St John existence on TSR is minimal! Maybe because we get worked so freakin hard!?!

I'm also a bit confused about the meals at Balliol. I found this: http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/current-members/catering-pre-payment-registration-form. Does that mean that, unless I pre-pay for all of my food, I can't eat in Hall?


Thanks!

You can pre-pay for dinner for a term at a time, just for dinner, for either weekdays or all week. thats the cheapest way ti do dinner. You can put money on your Bod card which go on your battels termly, which is slightly more expensive, ior you can pay cash which is the most expensive. personally the chances of you eating in halls every night are quite high and pre-pay is the cheapest way to go. It just goes on top of the accommodation.

I was all set to apply to Lincoln College, until I read more about Balliol. Now I'm not sure what to do! Balliol's history of left-wing activism; its location right near the Bodleian Library; its music facilities (I play the clarinet and the piano as a hobby); its lack of snobbery; and its beautiful buildings really appeal to me. But I've heard about how competitive it is to get into. I know people say that playing the statistics game doesn't work, but if I'm pooled I might not end up in a college I want to be in. And surely the pooling system isn't infallible? There must be some students who slip through the cracks.

I know that only I can make the decision, but I'm really not sure. I like the idea of Lincoln because it's small, beautiful, and right on Turl Street - and I might have a bit more of a chance of getting in. But one thing that really worries me about Lincoln is that you have to pay £148 per term in advance for your meals. My parents say that I won't be able to afford it, and I'm worried because I don't want to make a decision on a college based on meals. Are the hardship funds really that supportive? Without a part-time job, I don't know how I'd be able to afford everything.

I'm also a bit confused about the meals at Balliol. I found this: http://www.balliol.ox.ac.uk/current-members/catering-pre-payment-registration-form. Does that mean that, unless I pre-pay for all of my food, I can't eat in Hall?

The statistics issue is putting me off Balliol, and I'd rather get in to a less competitive college of my choice than be pooled to, say, St Catherine's (there's nothing wrong with it, but I love old buildings and being close to the centre would be ideal). I'd happily go to any of the old central colleges. But Balliol's left wing activism and informal attitude sounds just right for me. Can anyone help?

Thanks!