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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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Original post by Chief Wiggum
Although of course, correlation with Tripos isn't the only important thing. I imagine the interviews are very useful to try to see what the students would be like to teach in supervisions.

From your point of view, it's probably not worth worrying about though; just better to try your best in every part of the application!


Of course! From my experience last year, after the car crash of the first interview, I really got into the second one and enjoyed the discussion. I just want it to be December now :rolleyes:
Original post by Oromis263
You guys are turning my whole little snow-globe upside down right now. This makes me feel somewhat better, I'm great with tests, but I just think I've had a lack of face-to-face testing. I mean last year was the first time I've ever had to explain to someone else how the working goes in my head. That would be a difficult thing anyway... hoping this year I can organise some sessions at college where I just get to chat to other students/the teacher about certain problems they've come across..

You've made my night slightly better, not that it was terrible beforehand. Still a bit :confused: now, but ah well. :smile:


Like what Chief Wiggums have said, you should just concentrate on making as strong an application as possible! That is the only constant amongst all this contradictory info. The less you worry about it the better. :smile:

Having practice talks/discussions with other people will be helpful, if just for building up the confidence in talking about what you are thinking. :smile:
Original post by St. Brynjar
Hey I know I've asked this a few time but I'm yet to get a response, can anyone help me with a good college for Geography? I'd like it to be medium-big sized and pretty close to the town center/lectures.

I was thinking of Queens but they have no fellows in Geography, would this be an issue?
The other colleges I was vaguely considering were St. Johns (But worried about the reputation), Kings, Jesus, St. Catherine's and Christ's but I feel massively out of my depth choosing this so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any replies!


Hi, Downing and Emma are probably the closest to the department with Emma being slightly closer to the centre than Downing. That said Christ's is also fairly close to the department and is closer to (is in) the centre of town.

Not having a fellow wouldn't be a problem as you would have a DoS from another college, for example the DoS at Emma is also DoS to the Corpus geographers (or at least was last year).
Reply 3463
Original post by Tortious
Yep, I'm at Pembroke. :smile:

The houses available vary between years depending on, for instance, which need repairs doing, but they're all within 15 minutes of college, as far as I'm aware. The "most common" are at Selwyn Gardens, Fitzwilliam Street and Lensfield Road, and there are others on Trumpington Street and Barton Road (?), I think.

However, for what it's worth, it is possible to live in all three years. I was fourth last in the year to pick (I was actually on the waiting list - long story!) and still got a decent-sized room in Foundress Court in second year. You choose in reverse order the following year, so I was one of the first to pick this year (and was therefore able to opt to live in again), so I wouldn't let the possibility of living out put you off!

I'm staying in a Selwyn Gardens house at the moment because I'm working for the college over the vac - it's fairly large and my room is a decent size (about 3m x 5m). The kitchen nearest me has two fridges and a full-size freezer, in addition to a hotplate thing (but no oven, which is the case for all Pembroke kitchens/gyp rooms). I'd say that in style, it's like the kind of thing you'd expect to find in a bed and breakfast. :h:


Ok thanks :smile: so we get to choose which house/location we'd like then, if I do choose to move out?

Also, are there any other things to consider when trying to decide between the two of them (downing and Pembroke)?
Original post by The Mr Z
What sort of NatSci are you looking to be? Certainly the generally low level at your school should be mentioned by your reference, which would give you some leeway with regards to that mark, especially if your other subjects are good. (What other subjects did you take?)

The TSA is only really used as a sanity check - the Emmanuel Phys Nat-Sci Dos says they would only really pay attention to it if it was surprisingly bad as a warning that something was amiss.

However good grades in your other subjects and a good interview (almost everyone gets an interview) can distract from a poor chemistry mark if you're main science is not chemistry (I'd imagine it's not)


Biological, probably, although I was planning to take chemistry and maths as modules.... I'm hoping that it will get mentioned, but I'm worried that as otherwise my school has a fairly good A level record, they may not...:frown:
Original post by vh1
Ok thanks :smile: so we get to choose which house/location we'd like then, if I do choose to move out?

There is a room ballot at the end of the year to determine the order you get to pick your rooms for the next year.
Original post by vh1
Ok thanks :smile: so we get to choose which house/location we'd like then, if I do choose to move out?

Also, are there any other things to consider when trying to decide between the two of them (downing and Pembroke)?


Yes, they have a "ballot" system, with a separate "scholars' ballot".

How the ballot system works



I was torn between Pembroke and Downing too, particularly given Downing's reputation as "the Law college" (I'm a law student :wink:) and its supervisors. However, I took the view that since all of the teaching (via lectures) is done through the Faculty, and Pembroke has a fantastic Director of Studies, I'd be happier at Pembroke. I'd stayed there for a conference and knew the score, and there was nothing at Downing to sway me.

The thing that I like about Pembroke is that it's the third oldest college, so it still has the "Harry Potter" traditions that I was looking for, but it's got a very friendly and laid-back atmosphere. There's genuinely nobody that I couldn't get on with, and despite it officially being a "medium-sized" college, its courts make it just small enough to be homely without being claustrophobic - Downing is a lot more open-plan. Pembroke also has a reputation for good food (you can see the menus here - a main, side and dessert is generally about £4), and it's also centrally located; it's about 10 minutes to Sidney Street Sainsbury's and 15 minutes tops to the Sidgwick Site. However, since it's past King's and the Corpus Clock, it doesn't get as many tourists as some of the other central colleges, so it's pretty quiet too.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more specific questions if anything comes to you! :smile:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 3467
Original post by Tortious
Yes, they have a "ballot" system, with a separate "scholars' ballot".

How the ballot system works



I was torn between Pembroke and Downing too, particularly given Downing's reputation as "the Law college" (I'm a law student :wink:) and its supervisors. However, I took the view that since all of the teaching (via lectures) is done through the Faculty, and Pembroke has a fantastic Director of Studies, I'd be happier at Pembroke. I'd stayed there for a conference and knew the score, and there was nothing at Downing to sway me.

The thing that I like about Pembroke is that it's the third oldest college, so it still has the "Harry Potter" traditions that I was looking for, but it's got a very friendly and laid-back atmosphere. There's genuinely nobody that I couldn't get on with, and despite it officially being a "medium-sized" college, its courts make it just small enough to be homely without being claustrophobic - Downing is a lot more open-plan. Pembroke also has a reputation for good food (you can see the menus [url=thepembrokekitchen.blogspot.com
- a main, side and dessert is generally about £4), and it's also centrally located; it's about 10 minutes to Sidney Street Sainsbury's and 15 minutes tops to the Sidgwick Site. However, since it's past King's and the Corpus Clock, it doesn't get as many tourists as some of the other central colleges, so it's pretty quiet too.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more specific questions if anything comes to you! :smile:

Thanks, that's really helpful, and I will :biggrin:
Reply 3468
Original post by Tortious
Yes, they have a "ballot" system, with a separate "scholars' ballot".

How the ballot system works



I was torn between Pembroke and Downing too, particularly given Downing's reputation as "the Law college" (I'm a law student :wink:) and its supervisors. However, I took the view that since all of the teaching (via lectures) is done through the Faculty, and Pembroke has a fantastic Director of Studies, I'd be happier at Pembroke. I'd stayed there for a conference and knew the score, and there was nothing at Downing to sway me.

The thing that I like about Pembroke is that it's the third oldest college, so it still has the "Harry Potter" traditions that I was looking for, but it's got a very friendly and laid-back atmosphere. There's genuinely nobody that I couldn't get on with, and despite it officially being a "medium-sized" college, its courts make it just small enough to be homely without being claustrophobic - Downing is a lot more open-plan. Pembroke also has a reputation for good food (you can see the menus here - a main, side and dessert is generally about £4), and it's also centrally located; it's about 10 minutes to Sidney Street Sainsbury's and 15 minutes tops to the Sidgwick Site. However, since it's past King's and the Corpus Clock, it doesn't get as many tourists as some of the other central colleges, so it's pretty quiet too.

Anyway, I hope this helps. Feel free to ask more specific questions if anything comes to you! :smile:


Flipping heck, that's even more complicated than ours. It's the linguists that mess ours up...

Original post by St. Brynjar
Hey I know I've asked this a few time but I'm yet to get a response, can anyone help me with a good college for Geography? I'd like it to be medium-big sized and pretty close to the town center/lectures.

I was thinking of Queens but they have no fellows in Geography, would this be an issue?
The other colleges I was vaguely considering were St. Johns (But worried about the reputation), Kings, Jesus, St. Catherine's and Christ's but I feel massively out of my depth choosing this so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any replies!


Contrary to earlier posters, you get first and third year accommodation on site at Catz (we may be small but we have a lot of rooms!) and then second year you're out at St. Chad's, which is maybe a fifteen minute walk and a shorter cycle from the Geography Department. The main site is five minutes away on foot.

Our college does really well for Geography and has several fellows, in terms of numbers it's medium-sized (though if you're looking for wide open spaces you may wish to go elsewhere) and we're reasonably relaxed. We're also close to the town centre and sufficiently unknown that we don't get tourists. Also, we've been a Pointless answer on Pointless, and we can claim both Gandalf and Paxman as alumni, so if that won't convince you, nothing will!

As for being out of your depth, everybody feels that - there's lots of choice, and you just have to pick one for whatever reason you can, even if it's grasping at straws, because you'll be happy wherever you end up. Promise. Don't try to play the numbers game, just pick somewhere which you like (even if it's just from the website and the prospectus!) and you'll be happy with your choice.
Original post by lp386

Our college does really well for Geography and has several fellows, in terms of numbers it's medium-sized (though if you're looking for wide open spaces you may wish to go elsewhere) and we're reasonably relaxed. We're also close to the town centre and sufficiently unknown that we don't get tourists. Also, we've been a Pointless answer on Pointless, and we can claim both Gandalf and Paxman as alumni, so if that won't convince you, nothing will!


No they just snap pics at your front gate to death, not seeing that they could walk in if they went through the Porters' door at the side. :rolleyes:
Reply 3470
Original post by ukdragon37
No they just snap pics at your front gate to death, not seeing that they could walk in if they went through the Porters' door at the side. :rolleyes:


This is a double-edged sword however - on interview day, having never visited the college before, it took us multiple laps to find the entrance...
Couple of quick questions:

1) Which colleges are good for NatSci?

2) Are there any colleges with relatively strong Welsh connections? I think Jesus at Oxford has; just wondering if there's any similar at Cambridge.

Thanks
Original post by wrexhamfc
Couple of quick questions:

1) Which colleges are good for NatSci?

2) Are there any colleges with relatively strong Welsh connections? I think Jesus at Oxford has; just wondering if there's any similar at Cambridge.

Thanks


You do most of your learning at the faculty (as far as I know), but there will be certain colleges that tend to attract and thus produce good Natural Scientists. I can't give you examples though.

I don't see how this could be useful? There are none I'm aware of, but I've not looked into the history of many.
Original post by wrexhamfc
2) Are there any colleges with relatively strong Welsh connections? I think Jesus at Oxford has; just wondering if there's any similar at Cambridge.

Thanks


Not really. The thing is that Oxford is closer to a lot of places in Wales than Cambridge so a lot of Welsh Oxbridge students go for Oxford rather than Cambridge. There aren't that many welsh students in Cambridge (in fact, when my Singaporean friend complained of being a minorty, I pointed out that while there were only 4 or 5 welsh students in our year for law, there were 10-15 from Singapore so he was less of a minority than I was!)
There's a Welsh society but I never went to it and I'm not sure it was that good.
Reply 3474
Original post by wrexhamfc
Couple of quick questions:

1) Which colleges are good for NatSci?

2) Are there any colleges with relatively strong Welsh connections? I think Jesus at Oxford has; just wondering if there's any similar at Cambridge.

Thanks


Catz is particularly good for chemists as one of our fellows helps run the Chemistry Olympiad. I can't speak to the Welsh connections though, unfortunately!
Reply 3475
Hi! I know people have probably asked this before but I was wondering which colleges are the cheapest at Cambridge. I wish to apply for post-grad studies and I don't find the university's site really helpful... As if no one cares how much the rents are!
Plus I was wondering whether I can ensure somehow that I will get a room with my own toilet/shower.

Thank you in advance for your help :smile:
Original post by ready
Hi! I know people have probably asked this before but I was wondering which colleges are the cheapest at Cambridge. I wish to apply for post-grad studies and I don't find the university's site really helpful... As if no one cares how much the rents are!
Plus I was wondering whether I can ensure somehow that I will get a room with my own toilet/shower.

Thank you in advance for your help :smile:


Since you are a postgrad it may be cheaper to look look for a shared let privately. Otherwise, search for a college and "MCR", which should get you on to the college's grad student union website which normally has accommodation information.
Reply 3477
I've been researching Cambridge colleges and trying to choose the best one for me. I'm going to study Geography, and the main things I'm considering are: location (close to the centre of Cambridge/Geography department), aesthetics and accommodation (I want to like the look of the buildings, which is why I'm inclined to the older colleges).

I'm not sure about size—would Trinity too big to be cosy/have a tight-knit college feel?

I'm considering Clare, Corpus Christi, Downing, Emmanuel, King's, St Catharine's and Trinity at the moment. How much can you tell me about each if these? Thanks a million! :smile:
Original post by elenii
I've been researching Cambridge colleges and trying to choose the best one for me. I'm going to study Geography, and the main things I'm considering are: location (close to the centre of Cambridge/Geography department), aesthetics and accommodation (I want to like the look of the buildings, which is why I'm inclined to the older colleges).

I'm not sure about size—would Trinity too big to be cosy/have a tight-knit college feel?

I'm considering Clare, Corpus Christi, Downing, Emmanuel, King's, St Catharine's and Trinity at the moment. How much can you tell me about each if these? Thanks a million! :smile:


Trinity probably would be too big for that close-knit feel, but it's part a trait of the college as well as size. I know that a lot of people at Trinity only ever actually get to know a fraction of the people in their year, let alone other years.

All the colleges you've chosen are in the centre of town, with Downing and Emma closest to the geography department, followed by Corpus/Catherine's, kings, clare, trinity (in order of increasing distance)

Emmanuel is just across the road from the Downing site where the Geog dept is, although in second year you may have to live in accommodation outside the main college which may be a bit further away (but even the furthest is still as close as, say, Trinity, just in a different direction)

The college has a really communal atmosphere - there are about 150 people in every year and you will know most of your year and a good number of the years above and bellow you (there's always the few who are reclusive and you'll not meet) The college is really friendly, and that's both in terms of the students and the staff.

The grounds are fairly large, and there's a large garden/small park in the middle. You can walk on almost all the grass, with the exception of one patch in front court (at most colleges the grass is off-bounds to anyone except fellows) There are two ponds, with ducks, fish, and moorhens, and an (unheated!) outdoor swimming pool (summer use only) In summer they also set up a could of lawn tennis and badminton courts out on the grass.

Accommodation is of a generally good standard and reasonably priced. Cooking facilities are fairly limited in 1st year but the canteen ("Hall") is good value.

In terms of location, it's just on the south side of town. There's a Sainsbury's local actually on the college site (though there's no back door, you have to go outside and around) It's about a 5 minute walk to the market, and the entrance to Cambridge's main shopping centre is just across the road. The college also borders two parks, Parker's Piece and Christ's Pieces, the former of which we often practice sports on.

The college's main sports grounds are on the West side of town (as are most off-site sports grounds) which makes them a bit of a journey away (10-15 minute cycle) Nightclubs etc are all within a 5 minute walk or 10 minute drunken-stumble.
Reply 3479
Thank you for your answer. I am applying for the Master of Law (LLM) for the academic year 2013-14. Ideally I would like to have my own room including my own toilet/shower in a college located near the Faculty of Law (although the distance isn't really a great matter to me). Price really is a matter to me. What are the cheapest colleges? Plus I don't really know what MCR is... :/ - Im such a newbie- I think that it is better to apply for a college where electricity/heat are included in rent. What do you think about that?
Plus I wanted to ask if the college fees are the same for all colleges.
And finally, can I somehow assure that I will have my own toilet? When applying I only choose the college, when can I state that I want an ensuite room?

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