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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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Homerton's social alright :s-smilie:
Original post by Malefucius
Well then, besides student life, what other differences are there between mature and non-mature colleges in terms of student life, grants, support etc?

I'm making my application to either fitzwilliam or wolfson college and would greatly appreciate advice on the pros and cons of both colleges and of general mature-non mature college differences.

Thanks!


To be honest, between Fitzwilliam and Wolfson I wouldn't imagine any particularly enormous differences. The usual difference people mention between mature student colleges and regular undergraduate colleges is basically money, which can (but doesn't necessarily always) lead to differences in how cushy facilities are.
But usually how much money a college has is very strongly correlated to its age. And since Fitzwilliam is one of the newest colleges, it really is not going to be significantly better off than Wolfson. So I'd say you'd be losing all the benefits of a mature student college for the downsides of a regular college without getting a nice library/dining hall/ancient court/arbitrary prestige and all the rest some people deem as more desirable in traditional colleges. You'll still be getting exactly the same level of college interference, without the convenience of having somewhere to live all year round and more respect and space as an adult.
If you go onto wikipedia and look at the colleges of Cambridge it lists their financial wealth in a table, so you can compare.

But remember, 'perks' aren't necessarily a huge or important aspect to college life. All the really important resources are central. For instance I was in a loaded college with a beautiful, well stocked library and I can order any book I need and they'll buy it straight away. But guess what? I only ever used that feature for my dissertation, because the rest of the year it was always easier to simply get the books from the department library and University library which are both common to students from all colleges. The only other major pluses I'd say I appreciated about my college were the fact that it was pretty, and I lived in Darwin's house and then in a 13th century court, and that I was right in the centre and close to everything. And ok, I got £250 for having a first... but seriously, I don't think being in a richer college made a significant material difference to my experience as a student. All colleges have the same basic facilities (common room (JCR), bar, dining area, accommodation, library) , and I can certainly vouch for the fact that college wealth is not correlated to food quality (Robinson is best). And as a mature student, I do often wonder if I might not have been happier at a mature student college :smile: *shrug*
Original post by Craghyrax
Homerton's social alright :s-smilie:

What's that supposed to mean :tongue:? No but seriously :confused:.
(edited 12 years ago)
Original post by Cast.Iron
What's that supposed to mean :tongue:? No but seriously :confused:.

Just that it stands out of all the colleges I've spent time in for having an unusually social atmosphere.
(edited 12 years ago)
well does anyone know if the rooms are better(in terms of size, ensuite or not etc) in fitzwilliam or wolfson?

i also noticed the geographical location of fitz is next to other colleges, would proximity of other colleges help in having a wider social circle compared to wolfson which is pretty far from everything?

also is fitz or wolfson nearer to the town centre and hence supermarkets and other amenities?
Original post by Malefucius
well does anyone know if the rooms are better(in terms of size, ensuite or not etc) in fitzwilliam or wolfson?
No because most colleges have a range of different rooms available, and you can't make a blanket statement about all their rooms. They'll usually have cheap small ones and big ones and en suite ones according to different preferences. Generally for all Cambridge college rooms except the very cheapest, size is always substantial in comparison to ordinary rooms in private accommodation.

i also noticed the geographical location of fitz is next to other colleges, would proximity of other colleges help in having a wider social circle compared to wolfson which is pretty far from everything?

No. Its very rare that people socialise with people from other colleges just because of being next door. Usually you meet people from other colleges automatically because you're in the same lectures/play Sports together/other extra curriculars/hang out at the same clubs/bars etc.
But look, you're going to be surrounded by loads and loads of different people, so I wouldn't stress about any college in terms of social opportunities. You're not going to have enough time to pursue all the people you get on with.

also is fitz or wolfson nearer to the town centre and hence supermarkets and other amenities?

Fitz is a little bit closer, because if you go up the road away from town you get to a big Aldi and a Co-Op and if you go down the hill you get to the north end of the city centre. However it isn't a massive difference. Wolfson is near a co-op and in a prettier end of Cambridge. Its also very near the Sidgewick Site. What subject would you apply for? Have a look at where your department is, and work out which college is closer. Both colleges are not far from the centre.
In terms of social life, you can make friends outside your college. I was a mature student at one of the older, more traditional colleges and most of my friends were either not at my college or not even students. On the other hand living centrally is great for having impromptu parties. In general Cambridge is not at all geared up for mature students. Academics with secure tenure tend to feel threatened by people with experience of the outside world.
Original post by Craghyrax
Just that it stands out of all the colleges I've spent time in for having an unusually social atmosphere.


You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

:holmes:
Original post by Cast.Iron
You make it sound like that's a bad thing.

:holmes:


For me personally it wouldn't be ideal, but the vast majority would prefer it. So it really does depend on your personality and preferences :smile: That's why I think recommending colleges to other people is so tricky, because you can't predict what particular details a person will be bugged by or pleased by. And colleges have thousands of really specific quirks and features that define them, but it would be an absolute nightmare to convey that online.
Reply 2728
Avatar for dd4483
dd4483
11
Original post by Malefucius
Well then, besides student life, what other differences are there between mature and non-mature colleges in terms of student life, grants, support etc?

I'm making my application to either fitzwilliam or wolfson college and would greatly appreciate advice on the pros and cons of both colleges and of general mature-non mature college differences.

Thanks!


In a nutshell, mature colleges don't give a toss about undergraduates. Well, from my experience anyway.

As an undergrad, you will be in the minority, and this makes it harder to make friends etc. There seems to be a general consensus that undergrads and postgrads don't mix - the guy who lived opposite me all last year barely spoke 2 words to everyone else on our floor, who were all undergrads.

In my opinion, 'mature' colleges are really postgrad colleges, they just market the 'mature' tag to get more students and money. A lot of subjects at mature colleges also have external directors of studies, which seems like a bit of a slap in the face after you've paid all your fees etc (especially for international students).

Plus I'm pretty sure most of the standard age colleges are grateful that mature colleges exist, as this allows them to pool any applicants who are over 21, as they don't want them. Unless you were a child genius or something, you'll find it very hard to get into a standard age college. Every undergrad I know at my college was pooled after they applied to standard-age colleges.

I'd still try your chances and apply to a standard age college though.
Original post by Craghyrax
For me personally it wouldn't be ideal, but the vast majority would prefer it. So it really does depend on your personality and preferences :smile: That's why I think recommending colleges to other people is so tricky, because you can't predict what particular details a person will be bugged by or pleased by. And colleges have thousands of really specific quirks and features that define them, but it would be an absolute nightmare to convey that online.


Fair enough :smile:.
Hello,
in an EU applicant for BA Economics at Cambridge but I still can't make up my mind about the college choice. I shortlisted four of them (following certain criterias like internale DoS, facilities...), they seem all very interesting!
If anyone has any experience of the colleges below or information or advices please tell me, either about the academics and non-academics side of the colleges (i.e. which would you say is the best when it comes to Economics?)

Here are my findings.

King's
- Regarded as one of the most progressive and liberal colleges
- Have a gym
- Have a society which organizes rock climbing sessions (my favourite sport!)
- Accomodation looks good
- Maybe a bit to central=full of turists(?)

St'Jones
- I like the college itself, the building and architecture, looks pretty and quiet
- Good size

Trinity
- Most of the fellows in economics and specialists in quantitative economics, econometrics, game theory: the fiels I like the most
- Have a gym (and looks nice)
- Beautiful building
- Big=more diversify and exciting enviroment (?, it's a supposition)
- They don't use the TSA to select candidates (and I like that test, so that's bad)

I think the admission process, apart for the TSA, is pretty much the same for these colleges but if you have any advice for an EU applican you are more than welcome!
Reply 2731
Avatar for Trizzle
Trizzle
I would visit the open day if I were you, I thought Trinity was brilliant on paper, but on the day I just preffered somewhere else and Trinity didn't offer much help :frown: That said I'm sure it's still great!
Reply 2732
Avatar for dd4483
dd4483
11
If it's out of those 3 colleges then I would go for Trinity.
Original post by Malefucius
well does anyone know if the rooms are better(in terms of size, ensuite or not etc) in fitzwilliam or wolfson?

i also noticed the geographical location of fitz is next to other colleges, would proximity of other colleges help in having a wider social circle compared to wolfson which is pretty far from everything?

also is fitz or wolfson nearer to the town centre and hence supermarkets and other amenities?


Craghyrax
No. Its very rare that people socialise with people from other colleges just because of being next door.


College rooms vary, as previously mentioned - sometimes more useful is knowing how much of the accommodation is actually somewhere in the vicinity of the college. I can't help here in terms of Fitz and Wolfson, but for example I know that some first years at Caius felt a bit cheated by their central location but accommodation somewhere out near the backs...

Generally I would agree with Craghyrax in that proximity of other colleges isn't that important. However, I think Fitz, Churchill and Murray Edwards do have a few joint social events for "The colleges on the hill" - they certainly have a joint orchestra and when I visited Murray Edwards they made a big thing about joint socials and bops and things. (Murray Edwards being an all-female college I expect that's why they emphasised you do get to know the other species, I don't know how true this is.)

Not entirely sure which is closer to the centre, but Wolfson certainly has a kind-of 'outpost' or library about halfway to the centre so you don't have to go all the way back to college during the day to study.
Original post by dd4483
If it's out of those 3 colleges then I would go for Trinity.


Just for its academic strength or for some other reasons? (I was afraid that a bigger college maybe could pay less attention to single students)

And which one outside those three would you suggest?
I've had some Trinity economics supervisions: they have some great economics fellows and give their students an awful lot of support! Don't know anything about the other two, sorry.
St John's or Trinity?
Original post by Groat
Ignore the fact that Trinity has supervisors in the topics you like. When you get to second and third year, your supervisions will be tailored to what you want to study, not what your college may be able to offer. As a result, you may have supervisions at Trinity when in fact you are a member of King's college.

Go for the college you like the most.


Colleges will obviously give preference to their own students when allocating supervisors; it does make a difference which college you go to in regard to which supervisors you are likely to get. However, supervisors change relatively frequently so I doubt there's much point in taking this into account two or three years in advance.
hi uys, im thiking of applying to cambridge uni and was wondering whether u can help me by satisfying my curiosity, i am thinking of either going to downing or st catherines, which college is more lenient and takes induvidial circumstances more seriously, which college has better accomodation, which is easier to get into(i know there all diffcult to get in just want to know the 'easiest of the hard', and which is more friendlier and less stern, please, need help and advice thank you
(thinking of appliying for theology).:tongue:
Reply 2739
Avatar for Mrhambis
Mrhambis
Hello

Can someone tell me if there is a cambridge college with the following characteristics please

1)be a small and most importantly quite college

2) beutifull and green (as most colleges are)

3)have ensuite rooms

4)be close to where physical sciences are taught


If there is ,can you please tell me additional advantages or disadvantages?


Thanks in advance

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