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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

I don't know where you've got your information from, but Sidney sport grounds are 5 minutes walk away. We share with Johns and Magdalane (and are closer to them than Mag which you've kept on your list). You wanted gardens, Sidney is one of the few colleges where you can walk on most of the grass, medium size, known as the friendly college, 3 years of accommodation guaranteed, best location - opposite sainsburys in the centre of town.

I'm staying overnight at Sidney for the open day in July. My school has arranged it. It sounds great. I'm really looking forward to it :smile:

Reply 3861

thehana

2

I'm applying for Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies in October 2013 and am not sure about what college I'd like to go to so hopefully someone can recommend me some. Thanks :biggrin:

Things I'm looking for :u:

npretentious and diverse
Not too small
Not single-sex
Reasonably central

Good food/facilities
3 year accomodation ideally
A fun, relaxed atmosphere
Good teaching for my subject
A reasonable chance of getting in
Good clubs and societies to join (I'm interested in - apart from my subject - film, theatre, politics, philosophy, writing)

Reply 3862

Tortious

16

Original post by thehana

I'm applying for Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies in October 2013 and am not sure about what college I'd like to go to so hopefully someone can recommend me some. Thanks :biggrin:

Things I'm looking for :u:

npretentious and diverse
Not too small
Not single-sex
Reasonably central

Good food/facilities
3 year accomodation ideally
A fun, relaxed atmosphere
Good teaching for my subject
A reasonable chance of getting in
Good clubs and societies to join (I'm interested in - apart from my subject - film, theatre, politics, philosophy, writing)

Most of the things you've listed aren't "important" in choosing a college, since both teaching and extra-curriculars are "University-wide". However, off the top of my head, I think Pembroke might be a good fit.

I've lived in college all three years (although some of my friends have lived in college-owned hostels in second year), and the food's great - you can see the daily menus here (everything listed as "Buttery" is standard canteen food!). It's also central, but a little off the tourist trail, and is well-known for the Pembroke Players.

I can't comment as an "insider" on other colleges, but others that might be worth considering which are geographically central (and which appear to fit your criteria) are Downing and Emmanuel. :smile:

Reply 3863

Topaz_eyes

12

Original post by thehana

I'm applying for Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies in October 2013 and am not sure about what college I'd like to go to so hopefully someone can recommend me some. Thanks :biggrin:

Things I'm looking for :u:

npretentious and diverse
Not too small
Not single-sex
Reasonably central

Good food/facilities
3 year accomodation ideally
A fun, relaxed atmosphere
Good teaching for my subject
A reasonable chance of getting in
Good clubs and societies to join (I'm interested in - apart from my subject - film, theatre, politics, philosophy, writing)

I think most colleges fit "unpretentious and diverse" - don't believe the stereotypes :wink:

If you want central, avoid Girton / Homerton / Fitzwilliam / Robinson / Selwyn / Churchill (and probably a few more) - this map should help http://map.cam.ac.uk/
Good facilities and food - again, most colleges have this! Possibly avoid Gonville and Caius or Christs, as I hear their food isn't great.
3 years of accommodation is guaranteed by all colleges (I think!).
Good teaching - I wouldn't worry about this at all! The teaching quality is fairly standardised :smile:

Chance of getting in - the pool sorts this, don't worry about this either :smile:

Societies - Here is the list of all the societies. http://www.societies.cam.ac.uk/ There are university socs for everything so if your college doesn't have a philosophy soc (for example) don't worry, just go to the university one!

Reply 3864

chapmouse

11

Original post by SPark9625

I was only searching for Oxford for a few months now, and I actually was aiming for Economics and Management course, but it turns out that I don't really like Management as much as economics alone. So, I am looking for the economics BA in Cambridge now.

Including the course itself, I am doing some researches (googling :P) now, and I am not so sure about choosing colleges.

I don't really want to make an open application, so I am searching for some colleges, but I am not so sure if Cambridge also has limitations of Colleges depending on what course you are taking?

In Oxford, you can't go to some colleges when you're taking some courses, and is this for Cambridge as well?

Yes, this is the case at Cambridge, too.

Since Education is a relatively new course at Cambridge, a lot of college don't offer that.

Examples include:
Girton College does not offer History of Art
Trinity College does not offer VetMed
Churchill College doesn't offer Land Economy or Theology

Those are just a few examples. I think it should specify on the Cambridge website where doesn't offer what. I imagine you could find that on the course information pages, or on the individual college websites.

However, Most college offer most subjects, as opposed to Oxford, where sometimes it can seem that the colleges you like just don't offer your subject.

I hope this helps

Reply 3865

lp386

12

Original post by SPark9625

I was only searching for Oxford for a few months now, and I actually was aiming for Economics and Management course, but it turns out that I don't really like Management as much as economics alone. So, I am looking for the economics BA in Cambridge now.

Including the course itself, I am doing some researches (googling :P) now, and I am not so sure about choosing colleges.

I don't really want to make an open application, so I am searching for some colleges, but I am not so sure if Cambridge also has limitations of Colleges depending on what course you are taking?

In Oxford, you can't go to some colleges when you're taking some courses, and is this for Cambridge as well?

For economics, it's extremely rare that colleges don't offer it. I think it might just be Corpus, and I'm not even sure that they don't offer it - pretty much all the colleges do.

I recommend a two or three step programme:
1) Find a college you like the look of and want to apply to.
2) Look and see whether their website has a page for prospective economics students.* If not, it'll probably be stated in the admissions section that they don't offer it. I also know that the paper copy of the prospectus (and probably the website) contains this information.
3) If they don't, pick another college and repeat.

Again, odds on that they will offer it (almost all colleges do), so there's no need to worry too much.

*You'll probably do this as part of step 1 - it's always good to know whether they have any results they can brag about, what the supervisors are interested in compared to your interests, what they look for in a student and how many students they take a year.

Reply 3866

kopyl

Original post by SPark9625

I was only searching for Oxford for a few months now, and I actually was aiming for Economics and Management course, but it turns out that I don't really like Management as much as economics alone. So, I am looking for the economics BA in Cambridge now.

Including the course itself, I am doing some researches (googling :P) now, and I am not so sure about choosing colleges.

I don't really want to make an open application, so I am searching for some colleges, but I am not so sure if Cambridge also has limitations of Colleges depending on what course you are taking?

In Oxford, you can't go to some colleges when you're taking some courses, and is this for Cambridge as well?

All colleges offer economics, as stated by the economics page on the website: http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/courses/economics/

You can also use the undergraduate statistics page: http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/statistics/

Helps you see how many students each college accepts per year and also per subject, and compare the size of the different colleges.

I'm planning to apply to read economics myself too.
It's a very competitive subject, especially compared to the other subjects at Cambridge. So the statistics page can also help you see which colleges are more competitive for the subject and which are less. Some colleges offered as little as 6,3% (Clare) and 8,3% (Queens') of their applicants an offer last year, while others 23,3% (St John's), 18% (Homerton) and 21,7% (Magdalene). The economics average is 14,9%.

Hope this all helps.

Reply 3867

Lia.

I will also apply to Cambridge this year in autumn and I could need some help with choosing a college! :smile:

I know, I will feel at home no matter where I end up if I get an offer and all that, but it would still be great to get some advice! I've already shortlisted some colleges and would love to hear your opinions!

- Clare
- Downing
- Queens'
- St Johns
- King's
- Pembroke
- Trinity

I really love old architecture (the really historic kind) so I'd love a college without any ugly modern buldings! Also I'd like to be close to the centre of town and not in a college that is all too small! And I love dancing! I know those are quite a few things, but it would be great if someone could reply! :smile:

And if you think I missed out on a college that fits my description - please tell me!! Thanks in advance! :smile:

Reply 3868

lp386

12

Original post by Lia.

I will also apply to Cambridge this year in autumn and I could need some help with choosing a college! :smile:

I know, I will feel at home no matter where I end up if I get an offer and all that, but it would still be great to get some advice! I've already shortlisted some colleges and would love to hear your opinions!

- Clare
- Downing
- Queens'
- St Johns
- King's
- Pembroke
- Trinity

I really love old architecture (the really historic kind) so I'd love a college without any ugly modern buldings! Also I'd like to be close to the centre of town and not in a college that is all too small! And I love dancing! I know those are quite a few things, but it would be great if someone could reply! :smile:

And if you think I missed out on a college that fits my description - please tell me!! Thanks in advance! :smile:

A couple of things
- While John's does have historic architecture, their first year accommodation is a 60s monstrosity, so if you're really concerned about that, you might want to give John's a miss.
- Clare accommodation is not all close to town - you'll likely end up living in Memorial Court (which is good if you're an arts student - it's very near the Sidgwick site), but not particularly close to town. You might end up living in the Clare Colony, which is even further out. Neither are far away in real terms, but there are closer colleges.
- Queens' also has at least one 60s monstrosity, so again, if that's something you're really concerned about, you might want to give it a miss. King's does as well (it's shared with Catz - my college), but it's at least well-hidden!
- Downing's architecture is nice but I wouldn't describe it as old.
- I don't think any of the colleges you've listed above are particularly small, either in size or in numbers.

If you can, I'd recommend going and having a wander round those colleges on the open day and seeing whether you feel at home, as well as looking at subject related factors (how many students they take, whether they have any other selling points) and facilities. I wouldn't personally use architecture as a be-all and end-all, but I've definitely heard worse reasons for choosing colleges!

As for dancing, that seems to pretty much all happen at university level so you'll be able to participate whichever college you end up at.

Reply 3869

Lia.

Original post by lp386

A couple of things
- While John's does have historic architecture, their first year accommodation is a 60s monstrosity, so if you're really concerned about that, you might want to give John's a miss.
- Clare accommodation is not all close to town - you'll likely end up living in Memorial Court (which is good if you're an arts student - it's very near the Sidgwick site), but not particularly close to town. You might end up living in the Clare Colony, which is even further out. Neither are far away in real terms, but there are closer colleges.
- Queens' also has at least one 60s monstrosity, so again, if that's something you're really concerned about, you might want to give it a miss. King's does as well (it's shared with Catz - my college), but it's at least well-hidden!
- Downing's architecture is nice but I wouldn't describe it as old.
- I don't think any of the colleges you've listed above are particularly small, either in size or in numbers.

If you can, I'd recommend going and having a wander round those colleges on the open day and seeing whether you feel at home, as well as looking at subject related factors (how many students they take, whether they have any other selling points) and facilities. I wouldn't personally use architecture as a be-all and end-all, but I've definitely heard worse reasons for choosing colleges!

As for dancing, that seems to pretty much all happen at university level so you'll be able to participate whichever college you end up at.

Thanks so much, that already helped me a lot! :smile:

Does anyone know anything about Pembroke and Trinity? And what about Sidney Sussex? I know I didn't list it originally but I've just come to think about it again.

Reply 3870

Tortious

16

Original post by Lia.

Thanks so much, that already helped me a lot! :smile:

Does anyone know anything about Pembroke and Trinity? And what about Sidney Sussex? I know I didn't list it originally but I've just come to think about it again.

Of course!

I'm a third year at Pembroke, and it's absolutely fantastic. Sticking to the points you raised (since otherwise I could write an essay!), the "newer" accommodation dates from 1997, and it's "Japanese-style", so much nicer to look at than other colleges' new accommodation. :p:

In terms of location, it's very central but off the tourist trail, since most of them seem to stop at King's and the Corpus Clock. It's a 10 minute walk to the Sidgwick Site and to the big Sainsbury's, so pretty convenient. Pembroke also has really good food - arguably the best in Cambridge - and it's very cheap. Formals are currently £8 for Pembroke members for a three-course meal! You can see the menus here - anything labelled "Buttery" is standard canteen food, and the formal menus are on there too.

Hope this helps - if you have any more specific questions, feel free to quote PM me. :smile:

Reply 3871

Josh_Stride

Hey Guys,

I'm only in Year 11 but I hope to go to Cambridge in a few years so I'm looking at it now.

I really like the look of Clare or Trinity Hall but if I got in I'd hopefully spend a lot of time at the ADC Theatre and doing other theatre/arts based things, so which is the best for that?

Thanks!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 3872

alex_hk90

19

Original post by Josh_Stride

I really like the look of Clare or Trinity Hall but if I got in I'd hopefully spend a lot of time at the ADC Theatre and doing other theatre/arts based things, so which is the best for that?

The ADC is not college-specific as far as I know so it shouldn't really matter - I guess maybe for convenience you might want to go to a college where the accommodation is near the ADC, but apart from that I can't see why college would make a difference. :dontknow:

Reply 3873

Josh_Stride

Original post by alex_hk90

The ADC is not college-specific as far as I know

No it isn't, sorry I think I was being too ambiguous.
I suppose what I meant was, are there any colleges ridiculously far from the ADC or any that have strong theatrical traditions/societies?

Reply 3874

Helenia

20

Original post by Josh_Stride

No it isn't, sorry I think I was being too ambiguous.
I suppose what I meant was, are there any colleges ridiculously far from the ADC or any that have strong theatrical traditions/societies?

Clare and Tit Hall's main buildings are next to each other, so distance to the ADC would be very similar. However, distance from each college's other accommodation to the ADC might be a bit more variable - for Clare it's Memorial Court and the Colony, both a bit further than Old Court but completely doable. I think Tit Hall have some accommodation out past New Hall/Fitz, but I don't know how many students go to live there.

Reply 3875

hogwartian1993

9

Original post by Josh_Stride

Hey Guys,

I'm only in Year 11 but I hope to go to Cambridge in a few years so I'm looking at it now.

I really like the look of Clare or Trinity Hall but if I got in I'd hopefully spend a lot of time at the ADC Theatre and doing other theatre/arts based things, so which is the best for that?

Thanks!

Posted from TSR Mobile

If you want to be really close to the ADC Sidney Sussex/Jesus are like right next to it (if I remember right? Someone feel free to correct me). I know Clare is a musical college, so perhaps its theatrical too? And Girton will be the furthest away from the ADC, naturally. But yeah, Jesus/Sidney are literally next to the ADC.

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 3876

lp386

12

Original post by Josh_Stride

Hey Guys,

I'm only in Year 11 but I hope to go to Cambridge in a few years so I'm looking at it now.

I really like the look of Clare or Trinity Hall but if I got in I'd hopefully spend a lot of time at the ADC Theatre and doing other theatre/arts based things, so which is the best for that?

Thanks!

Posted from TSR Mobile

Original post by Helenia

Clare and Tit Hall's main buildings are next to each other, so distance to the ADC would be very similar. However, distance from each college's other accommodation to the ADC might be a bit more variable - for Clare it's Memorial Court and the Colony, both a bit further than Old Court but completely doable. I think Tit Hall have some accommodation out past New Hall/Fitz, but I don't know how many students go to live there.

I think it's almost all the second years. That said, some of their third year accommodation is very near to the ADC...

Reply 3877

Theflyingbarney

15

Original post by Josh_Stride

Hey Guys,

I'm only in Year 11 but I hope to go to Cambridge in a few years so I'm looking at it now.

I really like the look of Clare or Trinity Hall but if I got in I'd hopefully spend a lot of time at the ADC Theatre and doing other theatre/arts based things, so which is the best for that?

Thanks!

Posted from TSR Mobile

None of the colleges that are actually in the city are really that far from the ADC. In reality as long as you don't apply to Girton/Homerton (perhaps Robinson or Selwyn as well) you won't be more than about a ten-minute walk from the ADC. It's an unfortunate symptom of living in Cambridge that you come to see short walks as far longer than they actually are - the 5-10 minute walk from my college to the Sidgwick site feels like miles, and the furthest I've walked (to Kings' pitches) seemed so far that they might as well have been on the moon but in fact only took 25 minutes :tongue:

Reply 3878

greeneyedgirl

19

What do people think about going to the same college your parents went to?

I'm currently at Glasgow but looking to do a Masters and really love the Applied and Theoretical Linguistics MPhil. I've grown up just outside Cambridge and never really wanted to return to Cambridge ( :colondollar:

) but the course is so good I can't not apply. I've had a look at colleges, and unfortunately the one I really like is Emma, which both my parents went to...I'm already annoyed enough that I want to return to Cambridge let alone go to same college as them! Do people think it's better to try for another college?

Reply 3879

alex_hk90

19

Original post by greeneyedgirl

What do people think about going to the same college your parents went to?

I'm currently at Glasgow but looking to do a Masters and really love the Applied and Theoretical Linguistics MPhil. I've grown up just outside Cambridge and never really wanted to return to Cambridge ( :colondollar:

) but the course is so good I can't not apply. I've had a look at colleges, and unfortunately the one I really like is Emma, which both my parents went to...I'm already annoyed enough that I want to return to Cambridge let alone go to same college as them! Do people think it's better to try for another college?

I shouldn't think it would make any difference. :dontknow:

The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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