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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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safwaansh
just wondering if fitzwilliam college is one of the more competitive colleges like churchill and trinity? i know they are all hard to get into but i'm looking for somewhere that isn't overly competitive as my grades aren't brilliant.

torn between homerton and fitwilliam at the moment.


Hi! I'm a finalist at Fitz and I would say that in terms of numbers Fitz is less subscribed to than Trinity and perhaps Churchill but that being said all colleges will only choose people they they think have the potential to do well on their chosen course. And like others have already said, playing the numbers game generally isn't the best idea...If you have decent grades then I would definitely apply to the one you genuinely like, of course Fitz gets my recommendation :wink:
Reply 2141
Avatar for Amahia11
Amahia11
Topaz_eyes
You will, all the colleges are amazing (and you could end up getting pooled anyway!) so don't worry about it :smile:

And sorry, but Downing :love:
(on an unrelated note, I will be living there in two days...)

I've decided i'll just apply to Caius :smile: Have fun in Freshers week!! Should be great :yes:
not that this should be a factor in choosing your college.....

but christ give out EE offers IF your exceptional (which i doubt if your on here instead of doing your own research.... no offence :P)
I heard St. Johns is the worst and let absolutely anybody in. Not biased here in any way.
Reply 2144
Avatar for Jammie1
Jammie1
Caius is pretty good - though I may be a bit biased. There's 15/16 fresher engineers this year.
Hey everyone,

I'm making my UCAS application and i dont really know which campus im supposed to be applying to. I'm going there to study engineering, and here is the list of places i can choose:

Christ's (A)
Churchill (B)
Clare (C)
Corpus Christi (Z)
Downing (D)
Emmanuel (E)
Fitzwilliam (F)
Girton (G)
Gonville & Caius (Y)
Homerton (H)
Hughes Hall (7)
Jesus (J)
King's (K)
Lucy Cavendish (L)
Magdalene (M)
Murray Edwards (O)
Newnham (N)
Open application (9)
Pembroke (P)
Peterhouse (U)
Queens' (Q)
Robinson (R)
Selwyn (V)
Sidney Sussex (3)
St Catharine's (S)
St Edmund's (I)
St John's (X)
Trinity (T)
Trinity Hall (4)
Wolfson (W)

Some help would be great. Thanks!
Visiting the campus will help you decide.
Also have you considered the location of each of these relative to the "engineering place"
I live really far from cambridge so visiting the site is a pain...

But does it make a difference where i apply? i mean can i change it later?
they are known as colleges and no you cant change it later- your application goes to that college and they decide whether you get in so its not done centrally. i really would say visit the site or if its really impossible look at the prospectuses online to make your choice
GodSynthesis
I live really far from cambridge so visiting the site is a pain...

But does it make a difference where i apply? i mean can i change it later?


It doesn't really matter where you apply in that... you interact with the rest of the colleges, but some people just feel better about making a specific choice (like me). One thing that I WILL add, is that different colleges expect different things from you (entry exams etc) shown here http://www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/courses/engineering/tests.html

Also, the older colleges tend to have lack modern accommodation (so few en suites etc)

You can make an Open Application if you want, this would mean that a college would be picked at random for you.

Then again, you may not get into the college of your choice, so you'd be put into 'the pool' for all colleges to consider you.

If you aren't insanely bothered and a control freak like me, you shouldn't worry too much about the decision. They are ALL good. People enjoy it, whichever college they go to.
(edited 13 years ago)
If you have absolutely no preference, I'd say to do an open application. We can't choose your college for you.
I am confused how you can want to go to Cambridge without even realising it has colleges, it is the colleges that make Oxford and Cambridge so different from many other universities. All the colleges really are quite different so look at their websites and also the Cambridge Colleges pros and cons article on here.
Check on the website which ones actually offer engineering, as a few 'campus' choices (or Colleges) don't offer certain subjects like Vet Science, or like you Engineering.

The campus choices vary in atmosphere and age (its a little late to visit them now and sample it, but will try and help!).

Some colleges (campuses) are only postgrad: Lucy Cavendish, Wolfson, St Edmunds, Clare Hall and Hughes Hall so not these if you're in sixth form/college atm.

Newnham, Murray Edwards and Lucy Cavendish are single-sex (female only)

Some of the colleges are more modern in outlook and architecture; these include Robinson, Fitzwilliam, Churchill, Murray Edwards, Girton is late Victorian.

The older ones such as Emmanuel, Trinity, Peterhouse, Jesus, Clare, Magdalene etc. are all percieved to be harder to get into and seen as arguably more prestigious by some, so I would not advise applying to these if you are unaware of the college system.

St Johns is mega-posh apparently.
Fizwilliam has been generally the pioneer in attracting more state school students to Cambridge.

Or you can make an open application which basically just allocates you to a campus or college, you may prefer this option seeing as its a bit late to start making detailed investigations now!
Good luck anyway, hope this post helps.
(edited 13 years ago)
Yeah as someone said above, the entrance requirements are definitely something to consider. For engineering I';d imagine Trinity and Churchill's will be pretty challenging as they're seen as quite science-based
Hello everyone... I'm new to this so a little apprehensive about posting!
I'm under pressure to decide my Cambridge college by tomorrow: I'm applying for English and at the moment I'm torn between Pembroke, Emmanuel, Jesus and Queens. I want somewhere sociable,state school friendly and central and I'm totally stuck!
Any help would be much appreciated :smile:
Reply 2155
Avatar for saster
saster
11
Lead Pipes A Fortune Made
Some colleges (campuses) are only postgrad: Lucy Cavendish, Wolfson, St Edmunds, Clare Hall and Hughes Hall so not these if you're in sixth form/college atm.


Minor correction: Clare Hall is a postgrad college; the othes are mature (over 21s only). You still can't apply if you're under 20, but thought it worth mentioning.
Ahh ok thanks =) think I got confused reading the prospectus then, bundles mature & postgrad all into one....but like you said still can't apply if normal a level age

Cheers though :smile:
Reply 2157
Avatar for Fluidity
Fluidity
I need to forward my application to my school by this afternoon, and I *still* cannot choose between Peterhouse or Trinity (to read philosophy).

I am drawn to both, but they're so vastly different. Peterhouse has the advantage of being small and quaint, as well as having nice college grounds, and appeals to me because I am rather quiet and not too sporty. However, I would be worried that it may become too insular after a while, and I've heard that there's not that much going on within college.

I adore Trinity's heritage, and architecturally, it is stunning. It certainly has a lot more going on, and there are more chances to mingle regularly with a larger group of people. However, I think the sheer size of it may overwhelm me, and as I am quiet, it may just allow me to become somewhat anonymous.

Gah! :woo:

I guess I am looking for reassurance (regarding whether Trinity is overwhelming or not, or whether Peterhouse can become insular).

Also: I know people assert the 'don't play the numbers game' mantra often, but objectively, would Trinity be harder to get into? Though my A2 levels were very good, my application overall is hardly glowing.

Thanks :smile:
Fluidity
Also: I know people assert the 'don't play the numbers game' mantra often, but objectively, would Trinity be harder to get into? Though my A2 levels were very good, my application overall is hardly glowing.

In short, yes - due to its reputation I would think it would be harder to get into, ceteris paribus.
Reply 2159
Avatar for Fluidity
Fluidity
alex_hk90
In short, yes - due to its reputation I would think it would be harder to get into, ceteris paribus.


I think you're right, hence why I applied to Peterhouse in the end! :smile:
(I just hope I made the right decision.)

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