PPE at Oxford, but which college?

OP

From what I hear most of the girls at St Hilda's only have one breast anyway, either that or beards :wink:

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Reply 3

BazTheMoney

PPE is offered at every college so there is loads of flexibility there in that you don't have to pick between 5 or 6 colleges, there's a really good chance you can go to one that suits you.

The "top division" is Balliol, St John's and Merton; which are very academic and are renowned for teaching PPE. Balliol's very academic but "cool" with it, known to be a bit left wing, only has college accommodation in the first and last year (a small amount for second years), but has loads of college housing elsewhere, very competitive for PPE - the most competitive by far. Merton has a very strong work ethic and they aren't really the most active in the university, quite rich; 3 years accommodation. St John's is exceptionally rich and has quite a high proportion of State schoolers.

Below that Magdalen is pretty good, probable has the best ground in Oxford, very pretty and they have deer; but are located next to the Cherwell - which mings; offers 3 year accommodation. Christ Church: old, prestigious, well known, rich, not as completive for PPE as most people think, 3 years accommodation. Worcester: has their own sport ground within the college which could be very handy; very nice college, quite apathetic, excellent food, only offers accommodation for 2 years. Wadham: massive, very liberal and active in the Union, only offer accommodation for 2 years (I think), state school. New College: musical, old, big, probable has the best gardens, accommodation for the entire course.

If you can try to get to Oxford and have a look around, those were the ones I considered when I applied.

Reply 4

OP

I definitely need to have a look around, stuck in the middle of germany at the moment though, creates something of a problem.
Are there any really c£$p colleges I should avoid at all costs?

Reply 5

Squishy

11

Odd Senex

I definitely need to have a look around, stuck in the middle of germany at the moment though, creates something of a problem.
Are there any really c£$p colleges I should avoid at all costs?

Well, depends what you mean by c£$p. From what you've said, colleges you wouldn't like are the snobbish or intensely academic ones (e.g. Christ Church, Merton, perhaps Oriel). But there really is no substitute for visiting a college for yourself...in the meantime, you can learn a bit through the Oxford website. From the way colleges describe themselves, you may be able to pick out which colleges have the attitude you like.

Reply 6

BazTheMoney

Odd Senex

I definitely need to have a look around, stuck in the middle of germany at the moment though, creates something of a problem.
Are there any really c£$p colleges I should avoid at all costs?

Not really. There's colleges I don't partially like; St Catz and St Peters for example, but there isn't really any poor colleges.

Reply 7

CamSPSer

Odd Senex

I definitely need to have a look around, stuck in the middle of germany at the moment though, creates something of a problem.
Are there any really c£$p colleges I should avoid at all costs?

it really depends on what you mean by crap. if you think a crap college would have loads of boaties then it would probably be best to avoid oriel etc. at the end of the day it doesnt matter *too* much really which one you choose

Reply 8

OP

[QUOTE="notyourpunk"]it really depends on what you mean by crap. if you think a crap college would have loads of boaties then it would probably be best to avoid oriel etc. at the end of the day it doesnt matter *too* much really which one you choose[/QUOTE

Do college stereotypes still actually hold any truth? Is Oriel really full of tossers, Jesus welsh people, Merton work-obsessed genii etc? Although I recognise there must be some truth in them, I can't really believe they are still that relevant.

Reply 9

OP

I think I'm actually heading more in the direction of an open application, I havn't read anything about any college on the OU website or the Alternative Prospectus that has made me think 'my dog, I hope I don't end up here', is this a stupid descision?

Reply 10

Odd Senex

I think I'm actually heading more in the direction of an open application, I havn't read anything about any college on the OU website or the Alternative Prospectus that has made me think 'my dog, I hope I don't end up here', is this a stupid descision?

Well, the extremes would probably be places like Oriel and Catz. If they're OK then you might as well go for the open application.

Reply 11

OP

JUSTaGIRL

I actually think Catz sounds perfect for this guy. It's a really, really relaxed place with some fantastic facilities. I don't think I've ever met any tossers from Catz.

Only problem is I'm not sure I'd be able to get past the fact that it looks like it belongs in Slough, my inner snob is manifesting itself!

Reply 12

Economics_4505

What is PPE??????/ :confused:

Reply 13

OP

Economics

What is PPE??????/ :confused:

Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Reply 14

Odd Senex

Only problem is I'm not sure I'd be able to get past the fact that it looks like it belongs in Slough, my inner snob is manifesting itself!

It does have the advantage of looking like a normal place to live, though. Plus you get to be next to the Economics department.

You could always try the open day in September.

Reply 15

OP

RxB

It does have the advantage of looking like a normal place to live, though. Plus you get to be next to the Economics department.

You could always try the open day in September.

Normal place to live?! My house doesn't look anything like that!
I see your point though.
Didn't realise there were still open days in September, and in their infinite wisdom my college doesn't allow visits to unis in the UVI. I'll definitely take a closer look at it though.

Reply 16

Odd Senex

Normal place to live?! My house doesn't look anything like that!
I see your point though.
Didn't realise there were still open days in September, and in their infinite wisdom my college doesn't allow visits to unis in the UVI. I'll definitely take a closer look at it though.

Yeah, presumably your house doesn't look like it was built in the twelfth century either...
Apparently the open day's on the 20th of September.

Reply 17

OP

RxB

Yeah, presumably your house doesn't look like it was built in the twelfth century either...
Apparently the open day's on the 20th of September.

True, it's a 1920s German barrack block, thinking about it it's probably about as aesthetically pleasing as Catz. :smile:

Thanks for the open day tip

Reply 18

irishtrep

whats wrong with catz? it's the most critically acclaimed college architecturally in oxford (the whole thing - even the bike shed - is grade 1 listed). and in how many colleges do you see ducks waddling from the water garden through the lodge into the quad? it also has the largest bar/jcr in oxford...*continues rant to hisself*

Reply 19