The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

They're not any private schools - we're talking Eton, Westminster, Harrow, St Paul's.

I'm amazed you haven't heard the term - do you read the papers?

Yes, from time to time. Its probably because Ive only ever been to state schools so ive never come across the term or realized what context the term was being used in tbh

I'm surprised you haven't heard the term through the newspapers though! The left wing media especially uses it heavily when criticising the Conservatives.

is there a specific graduate thread? I've really got bored and frustrated over trying to list 2 colleges on my application. Just when I thought I liked Robinson you say that it aint a graduate college... pf...
all i want is an ensuite room at around 500GPB/monthly(or less if possible) including all sort of hidden costs.
please. help me. most college websites suck.

I really like the Sylvester road rooms.. do you know which category they are?

Hit the quote button when you reply as I'll be more likely to see your response.

If you ring or email the college http://www.robinson.cam.ac.uk/contact/ they will have more accurate answers but I'm guessing they will be standard plus rooms (as in the main college building this is a big room with an ensuite) I don't know for sure though.

Also keep in mind the prices will probably be higher for the year you want to enter. Those I pasted were the 2012/13 and it goes up each year.

It seems to be purely coincidental...I think. There are lots of colleges with a lot of really great rooms, just not that good.

You'd have thought so, but it seems not to be the case. I think with Trinity it's because admissions are that bit more competitive, that privately educated pupils who have had superior preparation for interviews and often better grades win out. Those who do come from the maintained sector are a much greater proportion from Grammar schools. It's comparatively unforgiving on those with less than perfect academics from disadvantaged backgrounds.

With Johns it's a case of the reputation driving away those who wouldn't be comfortable with a Toff-dominated college. Which leaves the applicants skewed towards those from traditional backgrounds.


There ARE people from different backgrounds, but not lots of them. You will be (with a bit of searching) be able to find a group who are miles from the stereotype, but it will take more searching than at other colleges and there will be less of a mid-ground in between.


And then there's the case of when you put a lot of people from a similar background together, you exacerbate all their traits. (If you make being somewhat toffy the norm, being excessively toffy becomes more acceptable)

(I say this having gone to public school myself, and being a firm supporter of them. However they have their ugly side)

The claim will no doubt be that a minority give them a bad name due to acting "stuck up" and/or "better than thou". In reality I suspect there is often a hint of jealousy.

Disclosure: I was not a public school student myself.

(I say this having gone to public school myself, and being a firm supporter of them. However they have their ugly side)

Which aspect of public schools makes you a firm supporter of them

Oh please, not this debate again. I had to sit through it once already when Mr Z came to Emma for his interview.

Explain? Did you just meet someone who looks like this by chance and have a conversation with him?

Anyone have anything to say on Pembroke which I won't find on their website or could you point me in the direction of information on the college which isn't written by the College itself

Thank you very much!! Yes I know they will be higher next year.. I hope not much higher... I was just browsing through Clare Hall and I liked that as well. The rents are great! 446 GBP/monthly for all ensuite rooms and no hidden costs... I was wondering how come? Is there anything I should worry about? Otherwise I am certainly listing it!
I contacted the college via email and they told me that there is a good chance that I'll get an ensuite room if my admission is confirmed early (by June/July). About that, in order to make arrangements for my room do I have to have fulfilled all of the conditions that they state on the offer? E.g. IELTS results and all? I am not worried about the IELTS but about the fact that I am planning on attending a Master Programme in my country this year and then going to Cambridge. But I don't think I will be able to have finished with that before the first days of September.. so then would my chances for an ensuite room would be slimmer? Coz I was thinking, maybe I shouldn't mention my first LLM for the year 2012/13 on my application to Cambridge then:P. What do you think?

I go to a fairly good school myself, which claims the highest number of students sent to Oxbridge (mainly Cambridge) out of the maintained sector, so it's not like my school's going to disadvantage me in the admissions process for Trinity; the biggest hurdles for me are the interview and STEP, rather than anything else. Given that 40% of Trinitians are from state schools, how can the public school people be so dominant as you suggest?

Which aspect of public schools makes you a firm supporter of them?


I assure you that jealous is the last thing I am.

Oh please, not this debate again. I had to sit through it once already when Mr Z came to Emma for his interview.

No,

Mr Z could explain if he wants the story told. I am/was just an innocent bystander.