Exeter - political stance?

I'm planning to apply to Exeter College to read English in 2008. I was just wondering if the college is generally thought of as having a certain political stance, either right or left. I know some Oxbridge colleges -- King's, Cambridge for instance -- seem very leftist, but I also realise that it's often stupid to classify an entire college one way or the other; I'm just looking for a general opinion.

It's flimsy evidence, but, in The Rachel Papers, which he admits is partly autobiographical, Martin Amis' protagonist finds the (unnamed) Oxford college which he applies to quite leftist in outlook -- Amis himself is an Exeter alumni.

The reason I ask is that I've been involved in some left-wing local political groups and social forums which I think might reflect well on my character in a personal statement -- I was wondering whether to mention this experience or not.

Thanks,
Louis.

Reply 1

Isaiah Berlin

4

Very, very few Oxford colleges have a genuine political stance and Exeter is certainly not reputed as being one of them.

Even those that are can be misleading. Balliol, reputedly left wing, is full of public school boys. Oriel is reputedly hardcore Tory yet they voted a Lib Dem as JCR President, and have majorities supporting OUSU affiliation every year. Peter's is apparently right wing too, and had a Labour Club member as JCR President.

The only college that is genuinely left wing is Wadham - but even there it's not true of everyone, or even a particularly big deal.

Reply 2

Derek_the_Sheep

8

You won't be interviewed by "the College", but by the English tutors - it's them you have to impress. And you'll do that by being really interested in English literature; politics will have nothing to do with it.

On the other hand, being genuinely interested in anything outside your subject and the usual "travel, books, TV" and writing a bit about it on your PS can only do you good. Just don't expect it to swing the deal if the subject-specific bit of your application isn't up to the mark.

DtS

Reply 3

pinkpiggie

Apathetic mostly. On occasion we only just reach the 30 people required to vote on anything at a JCR meeting. Most people aren't very vociferous in their political opinions in college, but there are plenty of outlets for that kind of thing beyond college.

Reply 4

alispam

12

yep exeter itself is hardly the centre of the political world but u can do loads of stuff outside of college. one of my friends at exeter is quite left wing and does many things outside colleges organising demos meetings etc.

Reply 5

WokSz

17

Derek_the_Sheep

You won't be interviewed by "the College", but by the English tutors - it's them you have to impress. And you'll do that by being really interested in English literature; politics will have nothing to do with it.

On the other hand, being genuinely interested in anything outside your subject and the usual "travel, books, TV" and writing a bit about it on your PS can only do you good. Just don't expect it to swing the deal if the subject-specific bit of your application isn't up to the mark.

DtS

True, but many candidates will also seek to enter a community that won't discriminate against them purely based on their political beliefs.

Reply 6

thomasjtl

9

Ahh, idealistic socialists...

Exeter - political stance?

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