The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread
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anix
The big question: Which Cambridge college?
I have visited both Downing and St Johns. (It sadly wasn't an open day
) I have looked at the prospectus, both official and alternative. However I just cannot choose between Kings, Downing and St Johns!
Which is best?
Reasons would also be great!
I'm applying for Law (undergrad.)
My main reasons are because they are fairly big, and, of course offer law.
In a college im looking for:
great law lecturers
friendly community
a vibrant, social student population
gospel choir
music facilities (i wish to start up a new rock band if i get in)
good accommodation (ensuite would be best - i did Sutton Trust summer school at Sidney and HATED my accommodation it was like a dungeon!!)
close to city centre
nice bar/ good social scene
Right now I'm liking St Johns because it is bigger and is on the river. But i've also heard that no other colleges like Johnians?! Downing has the upper hand with accommodation though, and also I have heard that having Virgo as a lecturer is a BIG bonus! Still would love your thoughts on this though!
Thanks for your help! x
I have visited both Downing and St Johns. (It sadly wasn't an open day
) I have looked at the prospectus, both official and alternative. However I just cannot choose between Kings, Downing and St Johns!Which is best?
Reasons would also be great!
I'm applying for Law (undergrad.)
My main reasons are because they are fairly big, and, of course offer law.
In a college im looking for:
great law lecturers
friendly community
a vibrant, social student population
gospel choir
music facilities (i wish to start up a new rock band if i get in)
good accommodation (ensuite would be best - i did Sutton Trust summer school at Sidney and HATED my accommodation it was like a dungeon!!)
close to city centre
nice bar/ good social scene
Right now I'm liking St Johns because it is bigger and is on the river. But i've also heard that no other colleges like Johnians?! Downing has the upper hand with accommodation though, and also I have heard that having Virgo as a lecturer is a BIG bonus! Still would love your thoughts on this though!
Thanks for your help! x
I'm at King's and one thing to point out is that they don't take many lawyers every year. Not that it is a big problem, as you'll meet lots of people from other colleges, but if you want to be somewhere where there are loads of lawyers, Downing is the one to go for. King's seem to take between 1 and 3 every year, which isn't many.
Your lecturers are the same regardless of the college, though apparently Downing have some good fellows for law.
I don't think King's has a gospel choir but there is a mixed choir, and there are probably university-wide gospel choirs you can join.
Both King's and St.Johns are in the city centre (and to lectures). Downing is a bit further out but still very close.
Not sure about the other colleges but King's has practice rooms for bands to play in.
The accommodation in King's is really nice. I was keen on en-suite too, and I've managed to get it for three years running. The ballot is done randomly so you can get the best rooms without getting a first (unlike quite a few other colleges), and the rooms are quite reasonably priced. I'm getting a set of rooms this year with en-suite, and I had en-suite with a balcony overlooking the gardens last year. I'm not sure about the accommodation at the other colleges.
I don't know much about the bars and social scene at the other two colleges, but King's bar is really popular, and I'd say it's a sociable college.
Anyway, that's my rather biased view of King's. All three of the colleges you've mentioned are quite popular, central and nice looking, so there's not much to choose between them. If I were to re-apply again I'd still choose King's, but Downing and St.Johns would also be high on my list.
TheTallOne
I have to say, Downing had one of the best accommodation (from Downing, Emma, Christ's, Sid. sussex and Pembroke).
It's more expensive though, and not as central as other colleges (though I think it's near where Law has its lectures)
King's has tourists that visit every day, so don't go there if you want more space, same distance as Downing to get to your lecutres, though closer to what I think is the main High Street of Cambridge.
St John's is furthest away from lectures.
I think all first years get the same lecturers. It's the supervisors which differ.
It's more expensive though, and not as central as other colleges (though I think it's near where Law has its lectures)
King's has tourists that visit every day, so don't go there if you want more space, same distance as Downing to get to your lecutres, though closer to what I think is the main High Street of Cambridge.
St John's is furthest away from lectures.
I think all first years get the same lecturers. It's the supervisors which differ.
You've got the bit about lectures wrong. King's is the closest, closely followed by St.John's (only a couple of minutes difference), and then Downing is a good 5-10 minutes further.
Howells
I'm applying for French and Spanish ab initio this year, and I've narrowed my college choice down to King's, Queens', Peterhouse, Clare and Trinity Hall.
I'd like to be fairly close to the centre/Sidgwick site, I'm not sporty or musical in the slightest, I'd prefer an older college with decent accomodation. Size/number of people there doesn't really make much difference to me either.
Anybody have any advice on which would be better for me?
I'd like to be fairly close to the centre/Sidgwick site, I'm not sporty or musical in the slightest, I'd prefer an older college with decent accomodation. Size/number of people there doesn't really make much difference to me either.
Anybody have any advice on which would be better for me?
Hey! Clare, Queens, Kings and Trinity Hall are basically one after the other, all on Kings Lane, so they are all in the center. As for an older college, I'd say that Kings, Queens and Clare are the most beautiful looking ( I have a slight preference for Kings, at least from the pictures I've seen).
thegluups
Hey! Clare, Queens, Kings and Trinity Hall are basically one after the other, all on Kings Lane, so they are all in the center. As for an older college, I'd say that Kings, Queens and Clare are the most beautiful looking ( I have a slight preference for Kings, at least from the pictures I've seen).
I'm leaning more towards King's from what I've seen in the pictures, plus I have a weakness for good architecture in chapels, being the good Christian I am
The thing is, I don't really know much about Cambridge colleges as it was more of a last minute choice for me, and the only thing that puts me off King's is that I've heard it's very touristy and the more "famous" college. It seems to be the most talked about anyway
Howells
I'm leaning more towards King's from what I've seen in the pictures, plus I have a weakness for good architecture in chapels, being the good Christian I am
The thing is, I don't really know much about Cambridge colleges as it was more of a last minute choice for me, and the only thing that puts me off King's is that I've heard it's very touristy and the more "famous" college. It seems to be the most talked about anyway
The thing is, I don't really know much about Cambridge colleges as it was more of a last minute choice for me, and the only thing that puts me off King's is that I've heard it's very touristy and the more "famous" college. It seems to be the most talked about anyway
Well, all the "old colleges", the ones that are on Kings Lane are very touristy... what of the things I was told about St Johns was, you'll want to kill a tourist by the end of your first term...
If you're a "good christian
" and would like a nice chapel, etc. then you should definitely go for Kings
Haha, we had Graham Virgo for a (fakey) Law lecture when I went to Cambridge in June. He is DAMN GOOD.
Everyone loved that lecture.
Everyone loved that lecture.
St John's for the May Ball. Downing for the architecture.
Howells
I'm applying for French and Spanish ab initio this year, and I've narrowed my college choice down to King's, Queens', Peterhouse, Clare and Trinity Hall.
I'd like to be fairly close to the centre/Sidgwick site, I'm not sporty or musical in the slightest, I'd prefer an older college with decent accomodation. Size/number of people there doesn't really make much difference to me either.
Anybody have any advice on which would be better for me?
I'd like to be fairly close to the centre/Sidgwick site, I'm not sporty or musical in the slightest, I'd prefer an older college with decent accomodation. Size/number of people there doesn't really make much difference to me either.
Anybody have any advice on which would be better for me?
They all fit your criteria.
I'm leaning more towards King's from what I've seen in the pictures, plus I have a weakness for good architecture in chapels, being the good Christian I am
The thing is, I don't really know much about Cambridge colleges as it was more of a last minute choice for me, and the only thing that puts me off King's is that I've heard it's very touristy and the more "famous" college. It seems to be the most talked about anyway
The thing is, I don't really know much about Cambridge colleges as it was more of a last minute choice for me, and the only thing that puts me off King's is that I've heard it's very touristy and the more "famous" college. It seems to be the most talked about anyway
I went for King's largely because of the architecture too. Some people might think it's shallow but you're going to be there for three years-- if you want to be somewhere pretty then do it
King's is pretty touristy but I've never had a problem really. Aside from being filmed/photographed very occasionally and being asked to take the odd photo for them. It's only *really* busy at weekends. I'd say apply to King's but I'm biased. However, you seem to be leaning towards it, so that suggests you should just go for it.
Choose Downing! *isn't biased in any way at all*
It's definitely one of the best colleges for law, usually has a fairly large intake and as has been said, we've got Professor Virgo The atmosphere is excellent as well; there's usually about 120 people in each year, so it's small enough that you can know pretty much everybody in your year, whilst large enough that if you really don't get on with somebody you don't have to know them!
The bar is cheap-ish, it's cheaper than your average (English) pub for sure, but there are cheaper student bars (eg Emma) It's also kinda small, but that just means it gets really crowded after formals. There's an extra room beneath the bar as well, for ents and the like, as well as for special events. So in general, socially Downing's pretty good. Head down to the bar any evening and you're bound to see someone you know, and probably make some new friends while you're at it!
We do have a choir, and some music facilities, but I don't know much about them so I can't tell you very much! I do know we have a few pianos that are available to students if they get permission from the head organ scholar, and I also know of at least one Downing-based band, so it's definitely do-able.
First year accommodation is pretty awesome; a lot of it is hotel-standard, since the college makes its money by renting the rooms to conference guests during the holidays. And most of these are ensuite; some even have baths...
It's certainly not the closest to the centre of town, it's maybe a ten-minute walk to Sainsburys, but it's pretty close. However, it's close enough that going into town is no problem, and it's far enough away that we don't get incessantly pestered by tourists, so the location is actually pretty good! However, I don't think it's especially close to law lectures, I'm afraid. But being Cambridge, "not especially close" generally means no more than a twenty-minute walk!
As for the other two, I can't pretend to know much about either of them, but We'd rather be at Oxford than St John's...
Hope that helped! (Now come to Downing )
It's definitely one of the best colleges for law, usually has a fairly large intake and as has been said, we've got Professor Virgo
The atmosphere is excellent as well; there's usually about 120 people in each year, so it's small enough that you can know pretty much everybody in your year, whilst large enough that if you really don't get on with somebody you don't have to know them!The bar is cheap-ish, it's cheaper than your average (English) pub for sure, but there are cheaper student bars (eg Emma) It's also kinda small, but that just means it gets really crowded after formals. There's an extra room beneath the bar as well, for ents and the like, as well as for special events. So in general, socially Downing's pretty good. Head down to the bar any evening and you're bound to see someone you know, and probably make some new friends while you're at it!
We do have a choir, and some music facilities, but I don't know much about them so I can't tell you very much! I do know we have a few pianos that are available to students if they get permission from the head organ scholar, and I also know of at least one Downing-based band, so it's definitely do-able.
First year accommodation is pretty awesome; a lot of it is hotel-standard, since the college makes its money by renting the rooms to conference guests during the holidays. And most of these are ensuite; some even have baths...
It's certainly not the closest to the centre of town, it's maybe a ten-minute walk to Sainsburys, but it's pretty close. However, it's close enough that going into town is no problem, and it's far enough away that we don't get incessantly pestered by tourists, so the location is actually pretty good! However, I don't think it's especially close to law lectures, I'm afraid. But being Cambridge, "not especially close" generally means no more than a twenty-minute walk!
As for the other two, I can't pretend to know much about either of them, but We'd rather be at Oxford than St John's...
Hope that helped! (Now come to Downing
)
If you have very little idea over which Cambridge college you would prefer is it worth making an open application? Am obviously very wary of the rather high chance of ending up in an all-girls college, but have a short list of about 10 and have no way of making a decision short of picking one out of a hat (actually that may not be a bad idea!)
Are there any colleges which are known to be friendly and welcoming, with a good drama scene? Preferably one that also does the tradition “formal hall thing”? And is it true that you should avoid the larger ones to avoid anonymity?
Sorry to bombard with all the rather rambling questions
Are there any colleges which are known to be friendly and welcoming, with a good drama scene? Preferably one that also does the tradition “formal hall thing”? And is it true that you should avoid the larger ones to avoid anonymity?
Sorry to bombard with all the rather rambling questions
Juliet_Wannabe1
If you have very little idea over which Cambridge college you would prefer is it worth making an open application? Am obviously very wary of the rather high chance of ending up in an all-girls college, but have a short list of about 10 and have no way of making a decision short of picking one out of a hat (actually that may not be a bad idea!)
Are there any colleges which are known to be friendly and welcoming, with a good drama scene? Preferably one that also does the tradition “formal hall thing”? And is it true that you should avoid the larger ones to avoid anonymity?
Sorry to bombard with all the rather rambling questions
Are there any colleges which are known to be friendly and welcoming, with a good drama scene? Preferably one that also does the tradition “formal hall thing”? And is it true that you should avoid the larger ones to avoid anonymity?
Sorry to bombard with all the rather rambling questions
If there is any college to which you would be reluctant to go then you should definitely not consider an open application. Picking randomly from a 'short' list of ten satisfactory colleges would be far better, though you could probably get some advice (here or elsewhere) about whittling down your range of options.
All the colleges will be friendly and welcoming, and any stereotypes that might suggest some are less congenial are probably very outdated or completely fanciful. The cynic in me sometimes suspects that the colleges that strongly advertise themselves as 'friendly' do so because they don't have as many genuinely interesting and distinctive features... As for Drama, Homerton is said to be vibrant in that respect, but there is a host of university drama groups, so you could certainly enjoy equally extensive opportunities wherever you apply.
There are significant differences between the colleges on the point of how frequently they offer formal hall. I know that Peterhouse and Magdalene (and probably several other older colleges) serve it every night, whilst some of the newer colleges offer it only once a week. King's, being achingly trendy, has apparently done away with it altogether (although its Hall itself is stunningly beautiful). More prosaically (but rather crucially) the quality of food is alleged to vary from college to college.
As for the point about larger colleges, it is largely a matter of personal taste. Some people would certainly find the prospect of having 200 or more people in their year rather ovrerwhelming, whereas others would find a year of 70 or 80 distinctly claustrophobic.
anix
The big question: Which Cambridge college?
I have visited both Downing and St Johns. (It sadly wasn't an open day) I have looked at the prospectus, both official and alternative. However I just cannot choose between Kings, Downing and St Johns!
Which is best?
Reasons would also be great!
I'm applying for Law (undergrad.)
My main reasons are because they are fairly big, and, of course offer law.
In a college im looking for:
great law lecturers
friendly community
a vibrant, social student population
gospel choir
music facilities (i wish to start up a new rock band if i get in)
good accommodation (ensuite would be best - i did Sutton Trust summer school at Sidney and HATED my accommodation it was like a dungeon!!)
close to city centre
nice bar/ good social scene
Right now I'm liking St Johns because it is bigger and is on the river. But i've also heard that no other colleges like Johnians?! Downing has the upper hand with accommodation though, and also I have heard that having Virgo as a lecturer is a BIG bonus! Still would love your thoughts on this though!
Thanks for your help! x
I have visited both Downing and St Johns. (It sadly wasn't an open day
) I have looked at the prospectus, both official and alternative. However I just cannot choose between Kings, Downing and St Johns!Which is best?
Reasons would also be great!
I'm applying for Law (undergrad.)
My main reasons are because they are fairly big, and, of course offer law.
In a college im looking for:
great law lecturers
friendly community
a vibrant, social student population
gospel choir
music facilities (i wish to start up a new rock band if i get in)
good accommodation (ensuite would be best - i did Sutton Trust summer school at Sidney and HATED my accommodation it was like a dungeon!!)
close to city centre
nice bar/ good social scene
Right now I'm liking St Johns because it is bigger and is on the river. But i've also heard that no other colleges like Johnians?! Downing has the upper hand with accommodation though, and also I have heard that having Virgo as a lecturer is a BIG bonus! Still would love your thoughts on this though!
Thanks for your help! x
Downing does have the prestige as regards law, however it isn't as central as King's and St John's. The whole thing about other colleges not liking Johnians is just an old stereotype, and a bit of banter apparently, in part related to the college also doing quite well sports wise. Downing may have good en suite accomodation, but John's offers on site accomodation for all three years, and has the best May Ball/event of the 3 colleges. King's is probably best musically, and has the best bar as it has the King's cellars which would probably make it best for the vibrant social scene. It's also smaller than the other two if a smaller student population is what appeals to you.
However which is best entirely depends on which one feels right for you. All three are good colleges as is any college at Cambridge, if possible visit all three again, but at the end of the day regardless of any special features one college may have over another the one you like best is the one you should pick.
Duke Flipside
Choose Downing! *isn't biased in any way at all*
It's definitely one of the best colleges for law, usually has a fairly large intake and as has been said, we've got Professor Virgo The atmosphere is excellent as well; there's usually about 120 people in each year, so it's small enough that you can know pretty much everybody in your year, whilst large enough that if you really don't get on with somebody you don't have to know them!
The bar is cheap-ish, it's cheaper than your average (English) pub for sure, but there are cheaper student bars (eg Emma) It's also kinda small, but that just means it gets really crowded after formals. There's an extra room beneath the bar as well, for ents and the like, as well as for special events. So in general, socially Downing's pretty good. Head down to the bar any evening and you're bound to see someone you know, and probably make some new friends while you're at it!
We do have a choir, and some music facilities, but I don't know much about them so I can't tell you very much! I do know we have a few pianos that are available to students if they get permission from the head organ scholar, and I also know of at least one Downing-based band, so it's definitely do-able.
First year accommodation is pretty awesome; a lot of it is hotel-standard, since the college makes its money by renting the rooms to conference guests during the holidays. And most of these are ensuite; some even have baths...
It's certainly not the closest to the centre of town, it's maybe a ten-minute walk to Sainsburys, but it's pretty close. However, it's close enough that going into town is no problem, and it's far enough away that we don't get incessantly pestered by tourists, so the location is actually pretty good! However, I don't think it's especially close to law lectures, I'm afraid. But being Cambridge, "not especially close" generally means no more than a twenty-minute walk!
As for the other two, I can't pretend to know much about either of them, but We'd rather be at Oxford than St John's...
Hope that helped! (Now come to Downing )
It's definitely one of the best colleges for law, usually has a fairly large intake and as has been said, we've got Professor Virgo
The atmosphere is excellent as well; there's usually about 120 people in each year, so it's small enough that you can know pretty much everybody in your year, whilst large enough that if you really don't get on with somebody you don't have to know them!The bar is cheap-ish, it's cheaper than your average (English) pub for sure, but there are cheaper student bars (eg Emma) It's also kinda small, but that just means it gets really crowded after formals. There's an extra room beneath the bar as well, for ents and the like, as well as for special events. So in general, socially Downing's pretty good. Head down to the bar any evening and you're bound to see someone you know, and probably make some new friends while you're at it!
We do have a choir, and some music facilities, but I don't know much about them so I can't tell you very much! I do know we have a few pianos that are available to students if they get permission from the head organ scholar, and I also know of at least one Downing-based band, so it's definitely do-able.
First year accommodation is pretty awesome; a lot of it is hotel-standard, since the college makes its money by renting the rooms to conference guests during the holidays. And most of these are ensuite; some even have baths...
It's certainly not the closest to the centre of town, it's maybe a ten-minute walk to Sainsburys, but it's pretty close. However, it's close enough that going into town is no problem, and it's far enough away that we don't get incessantly pestered by tourists, so the location is actually pretty good! However, I don't think it's especially close to law lectures, I'm afraid. But being Cambridge, "not especially close" generally means no more than a twenty-minute walk!
As for the other two, I can't pretend to know much about either of them, but We'd rather be at Oxford than St John's...
Hope that helped! (Now come to Downing
)Don't believe what people tell you about St John's ... they're just jealous... We even have our own Bridge of Sighs!!! ANd we give out unto the river..
At St Johns, all the first years live in the same building Cripps ( go to St John's group on facebook to see some pictures), so that's a big advantage. It's very central, and has one of the best choirs with Kings...
Downing has a better reputation for law, that's for sure, but then again you still have the same lecturers...
If you want to be central, go to St John's
I've whittled it down to either Downing or St Johns.
They told us at the Sutton Trust that you'll be mostly taught in your first year by the lecturers at your college? So what is/are the teaching/law fellows like at Johns??
My thoughts so far >>>
Johns: By the river (with bridge!!), more central, large student population, may ball
Downing: Accommodation, Law reputation, Professor Virgo
Cheers for all the help - any further thoughts would be awesome as I'm still struggling to decide between them!
When i visited Downing it seemed really small - is this true? or reflected in the amount of students there? Or is it just dense? (if that makes sense?)
...Am I asking for too much in my college? - My friends say i'm seeking a non-existant perfection - did I mention that I am a foodie?
Basically I've only recently decided to apply to Cambridge, as my state school doesn't really promote it. I'm used to big cities too so I was kind of set in the idea that Cambridge colleges' are all very quiet, insular and all work no fun - so I'm keen to find a college which, although really great for law, will be 3 years of work-hard-play-hard. I'm a hard worker but dont think I'd fit at Christs' where there is a great deal of academic pressure. I'm seeking somewhere with a good law reputation, whilst continueing my love for hiphop dance, clubbing, indie bands, music scenes (as in playing and non-audition choirs etc), bars and just general uni madness! I think i'd also enjoy the traditional cambridge stuff - formal hall and things, but I'm a real modern city girl at heart! :P And I like walking on grass!!!!
Sorry for all this - I'm terribly analytical about the whole college-choice thing!
They told us at the Sutton Trust that you'll be mostly taught in your first year by the lecturers at your college? So what is/are the teaching/law fellows like at Johns??
My thoughts so far >>>
Johns: By the river (with bridge!!), more central, large student population, may ball
Downing: Accommodation, Law reputation, Professor Virgo
Cheers for all the help - any further thoughts would be awesome as I'm still struggling to decide between them!
When i visited Downing it seemed really small - is this true? or reflected in the amount of students there? Or is it just dense? (if that makes sense?)
...Am I asking for too much in my college? - My friends say i'm seeking a non-existant perfection - did I mention that I am a foodie?
Basically I've only recently decided to apply to Cambridge, as my state school doesn't really promote it. I'm used to big cities too so I was kind of set in the idea that Cambridge colleges' are all very quiet, insular and all work no fun - so I'm keen to find a college which, although really great for law, will be 3 years of work-hard-play-hard. I'm a hard worker but dont think I'd fit at Christs' where there is a great deal of academic pressure. I'm seeking somewhere with a good law reputation, whilst continueing my love for hiphop dance, clubbing, indie bands, music scenes (as in playing and non-audition choirs etc), bars and just general uni madness! I think i'd also enjoy the traditional cambridge stuff - formal hall and things, but I'm a real modern city girl at heart! :P And I like walking on grass!!!!
Sorry for all this - I'm terribly analytical about the whole college-choice thing!
anix
I've whittled it down to either Downing or St Johns.
They told us at the Sutton Trust that you'll be mostly taught in your first year by the lecturers at your college? So what is/are the teaching/law fellows like at Johns??
My thoughts so far >>>
Johns: By the river (with bridge!!), more central, large student population, may ball
Downing: Accommodation, Law reputation, Professor Virgo
Cheers for all the help - any further thoughts would be awesome as I'm still struggling to decide between them!
When i visited Downing it seemed really small - is this true? or reflected in the amount of students there? Or is it just dense? (if that makes sense?)
...Am I asking for too much in my college? - My friends say i'm seeking a non-existant perfection - did I mention that I am a foodie?
Basically I've only recently decided to apply to Cambridge, as my state school doesn't really promote it. I'm used to big cities too so I was kind of set in the idea that Cambridge colleges' are all very quiet, insular and all work no fun - so I'm keen to find a college which, although really great for law, will be 3 years of work-hard-play-hard. I'm a hard worker but dont think I'd fit at Christs' where there is a great deal of academic pressure. I'm seeking somewhere with a good law reputation, whilst continueing my love for hiphop dance, clubbing, indie bands, music scenes (as in playing and non-audition choirs etc), bars and just general uni madness! I think i'd also enjoy the traditional cambridge stuff - formal hall and things, but I'm a real modern city girl at heart! :P And I like walking on grass!!!!
Sorry for all this - I'm terribly analytical about the whole college-choice thing!
They told us at the Sutton Trust that you'll be mostly taught in your first year by the lecturers at your college? So what is/are the teaching/law fellows like at Johns??
My thoughts so far >>>
Johns: By the river (with bridge!!), more central, large student population, may ball
Downing: Accommodation, Law reputation, Professor Virgo
Cheers for all the help - any further thoughts would be awesome as I'm still struggling to decide between them!
When i visited Downing it seemed really small - is this true? or reflected in the amount of students there? Or is it just dense? (if that makes sense?)
...Am I asking for too much in my college? - My friends say i'm seeking a non-existant perfection - did I mention that I am a foodie?
Basically I've only recently decided to apply to Cambridge, as my state school doesn't really promote it. I'm used to big cities too so I was kind of set in the idea that Cambridge colleges' are all very quiet, insular and all work no fun - so I'm keen to find a college which, although really great for law, will be 3 years of work-hard-play-hard. I'm a hard worker but dont think I'd fit at Christs' where there is a great deal of academic pressure. I'm seeking somewhere with a good law reputation, whilst continueing my love for hiphop dance, clubbing, indie bands, music scenes (as in playing and non-audition choirs etc), bars and just general uni madness! I think i'd also enjoy the traditional cambridge stuff - formal hall and things, but I'm a real modern city girl at heart! :P And I like walking on grass!!!!
Sorry for all this - I'm terribly analytical about the whole college-choice thing!
Sounds like Emmanuel is your perfect college. Hard work, a reputation for academic excellence, a very cheap bar (and the college is across the road from spoons). You can walk on the grass and the ents are pretty well known throughout Cambridge (and have a wide range of music). It has a reputation of being one of the most friendly colleges too, despite still being old and pretty and it's bar is well-visited by students from other colleges. Also, it's right next to all the shops and clubs.
Hi, im applying for Economics and have narrowed down to
Downing
Emma
King's
St John's
Sidney Sussex
My preferences:
I want a college with good kitchen facilities :fridge,hob,oven (or combi micro if no oven)
My other factor is how strict they are. I dont wan't to be at a college which is very pushy academically with books full of rules etc
And lastly one where there is an even state
rivate ratio, i feel a bit out of place around the posh sorts 
Downing
Emma
King's
St John's
Sidney Sussex
My preferences:
I want a college with good kitchen facilities :fridge,hob,oven (or combi micro if no oven)
My other factor is how strict they are. I dont wan't to be at a college which is very pushy academically with books full of rules etc
And lastly one where there is an even state
rivate ratio, i feel a bit out of place around the posh sorts anix
I've whittled it down to either Downing or St Johns.
They told us at the Sutton Trust that you'll be mostly taught in your first year by the lecturers at your college? So what is/are the teaching/law fellows like at Johns??
They told us at the Sutton Trust that you'll be mostly taught in your first year by the lecturers at your college? So what is/are the teaching/law fellows like at Johns??
Well, that's only partly true. The lectures are given to the yeargroup as a whole, to all the students from all the colleges, so the college you go to doesn't change the lecture material.
Where it does matter is the supervisors; these are the people who set you essays, give you feedback etc., who you'll be seeing on a weekly basis. The supervisors are fellows of your college, and you'll be having supervisions with them with a couple of other students from your college.
So while whatever college you choose, you'll still be lectured by Virgo (if he does first year lectures, anyway) only at Downing will you actually be supervised by him as well.
anix
My thoughts so far >>>
Johns: By the river (with bridge!!), more central, large student population, may ball
Downing: Accommodation, Law reputation, Professor Virgo
Cheers for all the help - any further thoughts would be awesome as I'm still struggling to decide between them!
When i visited Downing it seemed really small - is this true? or reflected in the amount of students there? Or is it just dense? (if that makes sense?)
Johns: By the river (with bridge!!), more central, large student population, may ball
Downing: Accommodation, Law reputation, Professor Virgo
Cheers for all the help - any further thoughts would be awesome as I'm still struggling to decide between them!
When i visited Downing it seemed really small - is this true? or reflected in the amount of students there? Or is it just dense? (if that makes sense?)
Compared to John's, Downing is indeed small, can't really argue that
John's has so much ground it's not even funny, you can almost walk from the Cavendish labs to the centre of town just by going through John's grounds. Whilst Downing has the main court (admittedly, the largest main court in Cambridge...or it would be if it had a fourth side to it) and the Kenny and Howard courts, and that's about it. Still it's not a small college; it's large enough not to feel in any way cramped, but small enough that it doesn't take long to get to know (so there are no Harry Potter-esque hidden staircases or whatever... )With regard to student numbers, again Downing is the smaller (John's has 550 undergrads to Downing's 400, according to wiki) but it's certainly not small. It is quite "dense", as you say; all first years and most third years live in the college itself; most of the buildings you'll have seen surrounding the courtyards are just accommodation for students. The second years mainly live in houses on Lensfield road, bordering the college (many of the houses have gates leading directly onto the main college grounds) so pretty much everyone lives on-site (the minor exception are the three houses on Gonville Place...but even these are no more than a two-minute walk, and most of the two minutes is crossing a road...)
So Downing doesn't feel in any way small (in fact, I have a friend who didn't like Downing because it seemed too big and impersonal, so she went for Sidney), although I'm not arguing that John's won't seem bigger!
anix
...Am I asking for too much in my college? - My friends say i'm seeking a non-existant perfection - did I mention that I am a foodie?
Basically I've only recently decided to apply to Cambridge, as my state school doesn't really promote it. I'm used to big cities too so I was kind of set in the idea that Cambridge colleges' are all very quiet, insular and all work no fun - so I'm keen to find a college which, although really great for law, will be 3 years of work-hard-play-hard. I'm a hard worker but dont think I'd fit at Christs' where there is a great deal of academic pressure. I'm seeking somewhere with a good law reputation, whilst continueing my love for hiphop dance, clubbing, indie bands, music scenes (as in playing and non-audition choirs etc), bars and just general uni madness! I think i'd also enjoy the traditional cambridge stuff - formal hall and things, but I'm a real modern city girl at heart! :P And I like walking on grass!!!!
Sorry for all this - I'm terribly analytical about the whole college-choice thing!
Basically I've only recently decided to apply to Cambridge, as my state school doesn't really promote it. I'm used to big cities too so I was kind of set in the idea that Cambridge colleges' are all very quiet, insular and all work no fun - so I'm keen to find a college which, although really great for law, will be 3 years of work-hard-play-hard. I'm a hard worker but dont think I'd fit at Christs' where there is a great deal of academic pressure. I'm seeking somewhere with a good law reputation, whilst continueing my love for hiphop dance, clubbing, indie bands, music scenes (as in playing and non-audition choirs etc), bars and just general uni madness! I think i'd also enjoy the traditional cambridge stuff - formal hall and things, but I'm a real modern city girl at heart! :P And I like walking on grass!!!!
Sorry for all this - I'm terribly analytical about the whole college-choice thing!
Coming from Glasgow, I can tell you that the night-life in Cambridge just does not compare with a big city
It's definitely there (there are four clubs, which is quite a lot for somewhere the size of Cam), and you can have a pretty good time; you'll definitely be able to find whatever you're looking for. Just don't expect the same sort of scale as you'd find in the city!Downing won't let you down, there's a very active social side to it, and you can get as involved as you want, but you'll definitely have to look further than just your college for some things.
And as for walking on grass...John's may have more grass, but I've yet to find any you can walk on...Downing has the paddock, which is a big bit o' grass in the middle of the college just for walking/running/playing games on...plus there's a massive park just across the road too!
NesQuiK.
Hi, im applying for Economics and have narrowed down to
Downing
Emma
King's
St John's
Sidney Sussex
My preferences:
I want a college with good kitchen facilities :fridge,hob,oven (or combi micro if no oven)
My other factor is how strict they are. I dont wan't to be at a college which is very pushy academically with books full of rules etc
And lastly one where there is an even staterivate ratio, i feel a bit out of place around the posh sorts
Downing
Emma
King's
St John's
Sidney Sussex
My preferences:
I want a college with good kitchen facilities :fridge,hob,oven (or combi micro if no oven)
My other factor is how strict they are. I dont wan't to be at a college which is very pushy academically with books full of rules etc
And lastly one where there is an even state
rivate ratio, i feel a bit out of place around the posh sorts See the King's thread for some comments about the kitchen facilities.
As for strictness, it really depends on your DoS and your supervisors, and how much you push yourself. I wouldn't say the colleges themselves are intrinsically pushy or laidback.
King's is about 70:30 state
rivate. St.John's has a higher proportion of private, and the other colleges you listed are probably about normal.
zef99
Right then. Which college has the best FOOD?
If you have a sweet tooth, then Clare, because their cakes are AMAZING. Trinity makes good desserts too (brown bread ice cream, Trinity burnt cream etc). I've also had good gastronomic experiences at Downing, Christ's and Peterhouse.
If you're fussy about your food though, don't apply to Homerton; their formal food is disasterous.
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