The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

I have a quick question for those who are at/ have been to Cambridge:

If you had to reapply for a different college to the one you're currently in/ went to; which college would you choose and why? (i.e. what's your favourite college that isn't your college and why?) And is there any college that you really wouldn't recommend?

If there has been a study or questionnaire on this before, could someone please link/ show me the results. I searched but I couldn't find any. Thanks

I'm at Pembroke, but would probably have chosen Emma or Downing. They're both centrally located and have pretty nice buildings. Emma has some a cheap bar (and free laundry!) and some amazing rooms, but Downing has some really good supervisors for Law. Just as well I don't have to pick!

What are your criteria?

Hey, guys ,

which college do you think is the best to do Economics in Cambridge?

I have a quick question for those who are at/ have been to Cambridge:

If you had to reapply for a different college to the one you're currently in/ went to; which college would you choose and why? (i.e. what's your favourite college that isn't your college and why?) And is there any college that you really wouldn't recommend?

If there has been a study or questionnaire on this before, could someone please link/ show me the results. I searched but I couldn't find any. Thanks

I would have picked Gonville and Caius (I nearly did, actually). Not for the food or anything like that but I've really liked the atmosphere and the law students there all seem to be absolutely lovely ^_^. The accommodation is all over the place but that doesn't really bother me. Their supervisors are quite good.
There isn't a college I wouldn't recommend but I know I would have felt out of place at the big ones and weirdly, though Downing looks really pretty, every time I've been there, I've felt like I've gone back to the Victorian ages and it's just made me feel on edge, as though someone's gonna jump out at me! (Admittedly, that could be because I had 8.45am Equity supervisions there which is enough to put anyone on edge)

Who did you have?

I would have picked Gonville and Caius (I nearly did, actually). Not for the food or anything like that but I've really liked the atmosphere and the law students there all seem to be absolutely lovely ^_^. The accommodation is all over the place but that doesn't really bother me. Their supervisors are quite good.
There isn't a college I wouldn't recommend but I know I would have felt out of place at the big ones and weirdly, though Downing looks really pretty, every time I've been there, I've felt like I've gone back to the Victorian ages and it's just made me feel on edge, as though someone's gonna jump out at me! (Admittedly, that could be because I had 8.45am Equity supervisions there which is enough to put anyone on edge)

Out of interest, I imagine you socialise quite a lot with law students from other colleges as well (as people from your college) then? What's nice about Cambridge is that it seems as if everyone goes out of their way to welcome anyone and bring like-minded people together.

Does anyone know which of the Cambridge Colleges are left wing with a high state school intake apart from King's? Possibly Homerton, Robinson, Fitzwilliam? Do those colleges fit this description? Thanks

According to this the colleges with the highest state intake are (in order): St. Edmund's, Hughes Hall, Peterhouse, Girton, Churchill, Selwyn, Clare, King's, Emmanuel, Queens'. The lowest %State colleges intake are: Trinity, Fitzwilliam, Lucy Cav., Corpus Christi, Jesus, Robinson, St John's.

(I haven't bothered accounting for no. of applicants from state, this is just going off % of people who got an offer in 2011 who are from state schools).

I also wouldn't worry too much about this though. If you're good enough you will get an offer.

Ah thank you! Those statistics are interesting and pretty surprising to me too, especially the figure for Robinson woah!


Thanks for the advice Although really it wasn't so much the chance of admission I was worried about, I just want to find a college with a really down to earth, laid back, kind of less traditional atmosphere and environment, its just where I'd prefer to live really!

I'd really recommend the September open day if you want to get a good feel of the place! Statistics can only tell you so much

And it's worth noting that most colleges are between 50 to 70 %, it's only one or two that are particularly high or low.

If you want to learn more about colleges outside of the official website, take a look at the alternative prospectus, which is written by students.

Ah thank you! Those statistics are interesting and pretty surprising to me too, especially the figure for Robinson woah!


Thanks for the advice Although really it wasn't so much the chance of admission I was worried about, I just want to find a college with a really down to earth, laid back, kind of less traditional atmosphere and environment, its just where I'd prefer to live really!

The figures fluctuate year on year. When I matriculated at Robinson it was one of the most state-heavy colleges. (And it certainly matches what you say you want in your second paragraph!)

Ah thank you! Those statistics are interesting and pretty surprising to me too, especially the figure for Robinson woah!


Thanks for the advice Although really it wasn't so much the chance of admission I was worried about, I just want to find a college with a really down to earth, laid back, kind of less traditional atmosphere and environment, its just where I'd prefer to live really!

Hmmm oh dear this is so difficult haha! Thanks though, I think I'll just visit Robinson and see what its like