Reputation of Downing&#x27;s Law

Firz

Hey all,

I was just wondering: Why is it that Downing college has a unique reputation for Law? Does this mean that the other colleges are comparatively not as good? It doesn't seem to make sense since they're all Cambridge..

I guess what I'd like to know is why there's this difference or distinguishing factor, and whether it's so different as to say that Jesus college and Downing (for example) are two worlds apart since both fall in the category Cambridge University. :confused:

I didn't know that Downing had a reputation for law. If you've read a few of the recent threads, you'll know that there are very little differences between the colleges as the teaching is university based. Even your supervisors will likely be from other colleges.

Reply 2

OP

Hm..it seems to have one for Law. Also, upon checking the stats Downing has an unusually high number of applicants for Law, something along the lines of 13/75 as opposed to the other colleges, which have a much lesser number of applicants. It's interesting to hear that the supervisors interchange, never heard that one before.

Reply 3

Firz

Hm..it seems to have one for Law. Also, upon checking the stats Downing has an unusually high number of applicants for Law, something along the lines of 13/75 as opposed to the other colleges, which have a much lesser number of applicants. It's interesting to hear that the supervisors interchange, never heard that one before.

I think it's the case for most if not all subjects.

Application stats are really dodgy things. Obviously it varies year on year like the Tompkins table. I really would advise against deciding on a college this way.

There's a good sticky thread on how to choose a college at the top of the Cambridge forum.

Reply 4

OP

I'm not talking about methods of choosing colleges, I'm just wondering about the reputation Downing has for Law - how it received it and whether it's justified. I agree that stats can be rather poor indicators but Cambridge's website has stats for the past 4-5 years, and overall Downing has far more applicants than most of the other colleges for this field (although I think one or two come close to those numbers).

If Downing in general has more applicants for all subjects/in general, do you by any chance know why this could be the case?

o_o

Reply 5

Firz

I'm not talking about methods of choosing colleges, I'm just wondering about the reputation Downing has for Law - how it received it and whether it's justified. I agree that stats can be rather poor indicators but Cambridge's website has stats for the past 4-5 years, and overall Downing has far more applicants than most of the other colleges for this field (although I think one or two come close to those numbers).

If Downing in general has more applicants for all subjects/in general, do you by any chance know why this could be the case?

o_o

If you really want to know, then ask the Downing people in the Downing thread. I've told you that the college you go to has almost no bearing on the quality of teaching you receive.

Reputations are often based on perceptions and as we all know perceptions are very often different to reality.

Reply 6

White_redrose

1

Firz

I'm not talking about methods of choosing colleges, I'm just wondering about the reputation Downing has for Law - how it received it and whether it's justified. I agree that stats can be rather poor indicators but Cambridge's website has stats for the past 4-5 years, and overall Downing has far more applicants than most of the other colleges for this field (although I think one or two come close to those numbers).

If Downing in general has more applicants for all subjects/in general, do you by any chance know why this could be the case?

o_o

Self-fulfilling prophecy kind of thing - students do well one year, get recognised as such, then people like you who do in-depth research into the colleges see that it is supposedly the best college for law. Consequently the best candidates apply there and the weaker ones don't because they are scared off by the reputation and think the college only takes ready-made lawyers. End result: Downing does best come exam time. Same can be said for history at Pembroke, Clare, Emma.

Having said that though, as others have remarked there isn't much point picking a college for its reputation in a subject, better to pick it because they have an academic there you like/love the place by all means. It's not as though you'll get any special advantages law-wise by being at Downing, you'll have lectures with others, get supervised outside college for most if not all aspects of the course etc etc.

Reply 7

Stick Man

11

I *think* Downing was the first to do the Law Double-Maitrise.

Reply 8

Robob

17

Downing is generally regarded as the Law college.

I'm not 100% sure why, but apparently our fellows are better or something.

Tha actual students suck though :p:

- just kidding if any are reading, they're better than natscis :p:

Reply 9

jason_88

i think downing have quite a few law felows compared to other colleges and they admit more applicants per year or something like that.

anyway, its usually only if you're in a small college that you have supervisions in other colleges. downing is a pretty large college (especially for law) so i would think you mainly stay in your college for supervisions.

Reply 10

jason_88

i think downing have quite a few law felows compared to other colleges and they admit more applicants per year or something like that.

anyway, its usually only if you're in a small college that you have supervisions in other colleges. downing is a pretty large college (especially for law) so i would think you mainly stay in your college for supervisions.

Catz is bigger than Downing for your information.

Reply 11

OP

Ah okay, so some possible reasons:

-Downing was the first to do Double Maitrise (I think you're right on this one Stick Man :smile:

)
-I can confirm that Downing (according to application stats) doesn't have the most number of law students
-Doing well in the actual exams is probably another reason like White_redrose says, but in the end I believe you guys are right in that it depends on who you are and which college you find the most preferable.

:biggrin:

Right?

Reply 12

Jigglypuff

Firz

Ah okay, so some possible reasons:

-Downing was the first to do Double Maitrise (I think you're right on this one Stick Man :smile:

)
-I can confirm that Downing (according to application stats) doesn't have the most number of law students
-Doing well in the actual exams is probably another reason like White_redrose says, but in the end I believe you guys are right in that it depends on who you are and which college you find the most preferable.

:biggrin:

Right?

Bingo. I'd imagine the lawyers at Downing get the occasional 'ooh' or 'wow' when they say that is where they are, but to be honest, law is competitive wherever you do it!

Reply 13

Turdburger

Nick Griffin did law at Downing.

Just thought id add that :smile:

Reply 14

Turdburger

Ah, I see from your profile you are American. OK, he is leader of the British National Party whose aim is more or less to be as extreme and bigoted as is possible combined with more or less chucking any ethnic minority or non-British people out of the country.

Basically a neo-nazi and a white supremacist.

Kind of like George Bush I guess :tongue:

.

Reply 15

Turdburger

Oh by the way, don't let that put you off, Im sure Downing is a brilliant place to be :smile:

Everyone has their share of nutters, its just the way life is.

Reply 16

tll5ku0lvz

2

Downing is regarded as a "law" college. Its fellows include one of the most loved lecturers of all time, Graham Virgo, the frequently-gesticulating Amy Goymour, and the all-round good egg that is Prof Feldman.

I know this, of course, because they lecture me too; since all law students are lectured together, and the faculty, not the college arrange supervisions (though there is a tendency to keep within college - I only have one supervisor outside my college), there isn't a massive difference in teaching quality.

I think it's fair to say that all fellows in all colleges are far more intelligent than most of the students they supervise, so basically any college is good.

Downing does, of course, have loads more applicants, so you're less likely to get in.

Reply 17