The Student Room Group

Worried about allocated college (Oriel)

I know that I'm probably overreacting/buying into rumours, but I guess I need reassurance? I'm very much a worrier, rip me

I auditioned for a choral scholarship and was offered a potential choral place at Oriel, which I had never considered before and didn't put down on my form for preferences. But because of the kudos and encouragement from my teachers and parents, I applied there because of the opportunity (and the money).

Since, however, I've heard stuff about Oriel that's kinda made me worried, particularly its political climate. I'm fairly tolerant of (non-hateful) political views and I'm not a militant communist or anything (my views align mostly with the political centre, actually), but I'm worried about the possible right wing conservative (without a capital c) climate of Oriel.

I'm transgender and queer, and while I'm fine with tolerating right wingers, I'm worried they won't be tolerant of me. There are LOTS of people who are very anti-trans and even more who are anti nonbinary people. I am binary trans but my significant other is not and I can't tolerate people who are hateful towards enby people. I'm worried that the environment in a more conservative place like that would really get me down or people may even be hostile. I know you can report things like that, but it doesn't change attitudes magically, it just convinces people that the scary sjws are out to censor them (not trying to make a comment on this atm).

Sorry, this got long, and I know it's probably not even good reasoning, but gosh my brain likes to worry.

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You're reading more into it than there is.

There are people of every political alignment at any given college, and you'll make connections with people from other colleges anyway. Moreover, most of the "conservative" people at Oxford will be rich daddy's boys from Eton etc who are primarily fiscally conservative and seek to preserve and expand their wealth. Most don't even think about social and gender issues, and are unlikely to view you in any significantly different way. Even if they did, they are self-serving enough to keep it to themselves lest they create some kind of controversy which would damage their own and their families reputation.
Original post by artful_lounger
You're reading more into it than there is.

There are people of every political alignment at any given college, and you'll make connections with people from other colleges anyway. Moreover, most of the "conservative" people at Oxford will be rich daddy's boys from Eton etc who are primarily fiscally conservative and seek to preserve and expand their wealth. Most don't even think about social and gender issues, and are unlikely to view you in any significantly different way. Even if they did, they are self-serving enough to keep it to themselves lest they create some kind of controversy which would damage their own and their families reputation.


Thank you! It's...actually sort of funny to think of it that way.
Original post by artful_lounger
You're reading more into it than there is.

There are people of every political alignment at any given college, and you'll make connections with people from other colleges anyway. Moreover, most of the "conservative" people at Oxford will be rich daddy's boys from Eton etc who are primarily fiscally conservative and seek to preserve and expand their wealth. Most don't even think about social and gender issues, and are unlikely to view you in any significantly different way. Even if they did, they are self-serving enough to keep it to themselves lest they create some kind of controversy which would damage their own and their families reputation.


Admittedly I’m more conservative-leaning, with a private school background myself, but I still find that answer absolutely brilliant haha.
And I agree, if you can’t handle different views and perspectives in regards to politics, sexuality, diversity, or really anything else you shouldn’t be at the world’s leading educational Institution!
Original post by oliviaminor
Admittedly I’m more conservative-leaning, with a private school background myself, but I still find that answer absolutely brilliant haha.
And I agree, if you can’t handle different views and perspectives in regards to politics, sexuality, diversity, or really anything else you shouldn’t be at the world’s leading educational Institution!


I have no objection to right wing views most of the time. It's just when said right wing views deny me the right to exist as a person and receive basic respect and human rights that I take an issue with it. ESPECIALLY in the 'world's leading educational institution' where I hope people would be a tad more tolerant than people whose views are stuck in the nineteenth century (and that's being generous).
Original post by StevetheIcecube
I know that I'm probably overreacting/buying into rumours, but I guess I need reassurance? I'm very much a worrier, rip me

I auditioned for a choral scholarship and was offered a potential choral place at Oriel, which I had never considered before and didn't put down on my form for preferences. But because of the kudos and encouragement from my teachers and parents, I applied there because of the opportunity (and the money).

Since, however, I've heard stuff about Oriel that's kinda made me worried, particularly its political climate. I'm fairly tolerant of (non-hateful) political views and I'm not a militant communist or anything (my views align mostly with the political centre, actually), but I'm worried about the possible right wing conservative (without a capital c) climate of Oriel.

I'm transgender and queer, and while I'm fine with tolerating right wingers, I'm worried they won't be tolerant of me. There are LOTS of people who are very anti-trans and even more who are anti nonbinary people. I am binary trans but my significant other is not and I can't tolerate people who are hateful towards enby people. I'm worried that the environment in a more conservative place like that would really get me down or people may even be hostile. I know you can report things like that, but it doesn't change attitudes magically, it just convinces people that the scary sjws are out to censor them (not trying to make a comment on this atm).

Sorry, this got long, and I know it's probably not even good reasoning, but gosh my brain likes to worry.


When I went to Oriel for an open day there were Pride flags everywhere. You have nothing to worry about! It is not like Christ Church
Original post by oliviaminor
Admittedly I’m more conservative-leaning, with a private school background myself, but I still find that answer absolutely brilliant haha.
And I agree, if you can’t handle different views and perspectives in regards to politics, sexuality, diversity, or really anything else you shouldn’t be at the world’s leading educational Institution!


That is absolutely not my point, but well done on twisting words to suit your own perspectives, as your ilk does.
Original post by StevetheIcecube
Thank you! It's...actually sort of funny to think of it that way.


It is an unfortunate situation but it's as much as we can hope for these days...
Original post by StevetheIcecube
I know that I'm probably overreacting/buying into rumours, but I guess I need reassurance? I'm very much a worrier, rip me

I auditioned for a choral scholarship and was offered a potential choral place at Oriel, which I had never considered before and didn't put down on my form for preferences. But because of the kudos and encouragement from my teachers and parents, I applied there because of the opportunity (and the money).

Since, however, I've heard stuff about Oriel that's kinda made me worried, particularly its political climate. I'm fairly tolerant of (non-hateful) political views and I'm not a militant communist or anything (my views align mostly with the political centre, actually), but I'm worried about the possible right wing conservative (without a capital c) climate of Oriel.

I'm transgender and queer, and while I'm fine with tolerating right wingers, I'm worried they won't be tolerant of me. There are LOTS of people who are very anti-trans and even more who are anti nonbinary people. I am binary trans but my significant other is not and I can't tolerate people who are hateful towards enby people. I'm worried that the environment in a more conservative place like that would really get me down or people may even be hostile. I know you can report things like that, but it doesn't change attitudes magically, it just convinces people that the scary sjws are out to censor them (not trying to make a comment on this atm).

Sorry, this got long, and I know it's probably not even good reasoning, but gosh my brain likes to worry.


Seems like a perfectly understandable worry to me. But I think entrenched differences in social climate between colleges are very much reduced these days, partly because the more transparent selection system has lessened the old traditions of dynastic succession ("our chaps always go to Balliol don't you know"). From a LGBTQ+ point of view, Oxford seems pretty liberal throughout these days, and there has always been some surprising liberality in what might be thought of a bastions of conservatism. R W Johnson talks of Magdalen, for example, tolerating openly gay relationships amongst its students throughout the 20th century as a kind of legacy of Oscar Wilde's stint there.

Original post by Confusedboutlife
When I went to Oriel for an open day there were Pride flags everywhere. You have nothing to worry about! It is not like Christ Church


What did you find worrying about your experience at ChCh?
I actually don't want to get into this discussion again
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by artful_lounger
That is absolutely not my point, but well done on twisting words to suit your own perspectives, as your ilk does.


If by agreeing with you and saying intolerant people who discriminate against their classmates don't deserve to go to Oxford I twisted your words in any way I apologize for having read something wrong, however, I'm pretty sure it was along those lines with which I was simply agreeing.
Yes, my political views lean towards the right but as I indicated above, regarding social/gender issues my "perspective" is that everyone should be treated the same and granted the same rights regardless of their identity or beliefs.
Though "as your ilk does" was quite unnecessary coming from somebody who was so ardently criticizing those who don't respect other peoples' perspectives!

Anyways, the only ones who should feel unwelcomed at any college in any way are those who can't respect people for who they are, as they surely lack the mental capacity to be at such a prominent institution as Oxford, let alone in the 21st century at all.
Oxford is a very left wing university even by student standards. Honestly, don't worry.
Original post by nexttime
Oxford is a very left wing university even by student standards. Honestly, don't worry.


^^^
Reply 13
Original post by StevetheIcecube
I know that I'm probably overreacting/buying into rumours, but I guess I need reassurance? I'm very much a worrier, rip me

I auditioned for a choral scholarship and was offered a potential choral place at Oriel, which I had never considered before and didn't put down on my form for preferences. But because of the kudos and encouragement from my teachers and parents, I applied there because of the opportunity (and the money).

Since, however, I've heard stuff about Oriel that's kinda made me worried, particularly its political climate. I'm fairly tolerant of (non-hateful) political views and I'm not a militant communist or anything (my views align mostly with the political centre, actually), but I'm worried about the possible right wing conservative (without a capital c) climate of Oriel.

I'm transgender and queer, and while I'm fine with tolerating right wingers, I'm worried they won't be tolerant of me. There are LOTS of people who are very anti-trans and even more who are anti nonbinary people. I am binary trans but my significant other is not and I can't tolerate people who are hateful towards enby people. I'm worried that the environment in a more conservative place like that would really get me down or people may even be hostile. I know you can report things like that, but it doesn't change attitudes magically, it just convinces people that the scary sjws are out to censor them (not trying to make a comment on this atm).

Sorry, this got long, and I know it's probably not even good reasoning, but gosh my brain likes to worry.


Lol I know how you feel I'm a stereotypical choir nerd so idk how I'd fit in at oriel given it's ridiculously sporty reputation

Also I hear oriel is very champagne socialist these days
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by AB-G
Lol I know how you feel I'm a stereotypical choir nerd so idk how I'd fit in at oriel given it's ridiculously sporty reputation

Also I hear oriel is very champagne socialist these days


As long as they can spare some grape juice for me that's fine with me! :smile:

Are you an Oriel choral scholarship-holding person too? When I was at Worcester I remembered being intimidated by the sporty reputation but someone asked one of the organ scholars if they were sporty and they both just laughed. I don't think you should be too worried about those sport people!
Reply 15
Original post by StevetheIcecube
As long as they can spare some grape juice for me that's fine with me! :smile:

Are you an Oriel choral scholarship-holding person too? When I was at Worcester I remembered being intimidated by the sporty reputation but someone asked one of the organ scholars if they were sporty and they both just laughed. I don't think you should be too worried about those sport people!


Yeah I applied magdalen but they gave me oriel. We might have met during the auditions?

Also in the nicest way possible organ scholars aren't going to be sporty regardless of college
(edited 6 years ago)
Original post by AB-G
Yeah I applied magdalen but they gave me oriel. We might have met during the auditions?

Also in the nicest way possible organ scholars aren't going to be sporty regardless of college


Rip organ scholars :P

I didn't get out much during the auditions so we probably didn't meet! I mostly stayed in the halls in my room while everyone else got drunk/was generally really loud. I'm boring like that I guess :smile:
Reply 17
Original post by StevetheIcecube
Rip organ scholars :P

I didn't get out much during the auditions so we probably didn't meet! I mostly stayed in the halls in my room while everyone else got drunk/was generally really loud. I'm boring like that I guess :smile:


Tbh getting drunk is almost certainly the reason I don't have a choral scholarship to magdalen college so
Original post by AB-G
Tbh getting drunk is almost certainly the reason I don't have a choral scholarship to magdalen college so


Rip! What's your voice part? :smile:
Reply 19
Original post by StevetheIcecube
Rip! What's your voice part? :smile:


I'm a bass hbu?

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