The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

Can anyone give me some advice? I think I'm choosing between applying to one of St Catz, Pembroke and King's (at the moment anyway) and I can't cut it down any more than that. Could anyone who's at Cambridge sort of describe the defining features of each college? Is there anything extra I should know about them? (eg I was really interested in Catz when I found out the guy who sets the C3L6 is from that college and he's also written a book I have) I'm applying for physical natsci if that makes a difference!

If you're applying for Mathematics, does it matter if your college doesn't have any fellows which specialize in the subjects you'd like to pursue in later years? Say I was hoping to study set theory, logic e.t.c. but my college fellows only did things like Fluid dynamics, stochastic analysis... what would happen? Thanks. Also, which college is known for having the most fellows who specialize in theoretical physics?

I originally planned to apply to Trinity but now I am getting worried that I will not be able to cope with their academic expectations.

How far is Trinity from the Sedgwick Site?

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Hey guys, a little advice would be appreciated! I'm strewn between Christ's, Trinity, and Jesus (currently this is also my order of preference), hopefully to study medicine. Which one do you think is best?

Best in what respect?

Hey guys, a little advice would be appreciated! I'm strewn between Christ's, Trinity, and Jesus (currently this is also my order of preference), hopefully to study medicine. Which one do you think is best?

None of these colleges has a particular reputation for medicine that I know of, so that shouldn't be a factor.

Christ's is quite good for location. It's got Christ's pieces, a nice green area, just behind it, and is conveniently located next to clubs, shops and restaurants. It's also of just below average size, so you can know everyone in your college fairly easily. The accommodation, especially for 1st years, and the food is not great though.

Trinity is the richest college, which gives it some of the best accommodation and facilities. It's also well located, spanning from the centre of town all the way across the river and to the UL. The only disadvantages I can think of are that it is very large - if you like meeting lots of people this is great, but if you would rather a cosy atmosphere where you know everyone in your year then it might not be for you. I was fairly indifferent about this aspect when I applied, and it turned out to be great - you can still socialise with small groups but just be more picky about who you want to see. Another disadvantage is that it can get quite intense, especially during exam term, because the college has a fierce academic reputation.

Jesus is a nice, friendly college. It's quite large and has big green open spaces. It is a little out of the way in terms of location, though.

There's no real right answer here; go for the one that meets your criteria, and maybe come to visit the colleges or check out http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/Cambridge_College_Pros_and_Cons

Ahh thanks for this mate, I suppose all colleges have their pros and cons... at least I have some more time before I have to finalise my decision. I've heard from a few current students that last year Christ's and Trinity came out top in the Baxter tables for medicine, and both have a history for doing so.

Would you say you eat in college often? I would have thought that being in a central college means that it's easier to go out more often, and meet people from other colleges :P

Hi, I want to study Economics or Psychological and behavioral science in Cambridge, so which college might be easier for me to get in?? and also which college is pretty good at these two? Thanks a lot.

There is an enormous difference between these degrees. One is heavily maths based, one is arguably nearer to an Arts than a science in character. It is easier to get in to PBS (16.8% v 12% success rate). Basic psychology should tell you that the colleges that were the "best" at a subject would also be the hardest to get into.

In practice the differences between colleges are not very large and not always stable. If you apply to a more competitive college the pooling system should mean that your overall chances of getting a place are not affected but you may end up at a different college to the one you applied to. This is important for girls who commonly get pooled to an all girls college. The colleges that have a reputation for Economics are Trinity, Johns and Caius but there are others. I don't know if any have a name for PBS. In truth most of the teaching is centralised, the difference tends to be how many students each college takes for a given subject.

There is an enormous difference between these degrees. One is heavily maths based, one is arguably nearer to an Arts than a science in character. It is easier to get in to PBS (16.8% v 12% success rate). Basic psychology should tell you that the colleges that were the "best" at a subject would also be the hardest to get into.

In practice the differences between colleges are not very large and not always stable. If you apply to a more competitive college the pooling system should mean that your overall chances of getting a place are not affected but you may end up at a different college to the one you applied to. This is important for girls who commonly get pooled to an all girls college. The colleges that have a reputation for Economics are Trinity, Johns and Caius but there are others. I don't know if any have a name for PBS. In truth most of the teaching is centralised, the difference tends to be how many students each college takes for a given subject.