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The Big 'Which Cambridge College?' Thread

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Original post by Veni Vidi Fugi
I vote Pembroke. Mind you, I'm biased. We have some of the cheapest accommodation in Cambridge, we're central but only 10 minutes from the Sidgwick site, there's a separate law library, and we've had some good results recently.


The accommodation is cheap but that doesnt make it the best. There are virtually no ensuites.

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Original post by Ami_Ginger_Cake
Which colleges are best for:

1. Accomodation

2. Location (For Law students)

3. Library

4. Hard working but also chilled out atmosphere

Thanks!

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Caius sounds like quite a good fit. It has really 1st year nice accommodation which has been refurbished and is all ensuite and opposite the sidgwick site. Also probably has one of the nicest libraries in cambridge :smile:
Original post by Undisclosed 15
The accommodation is cheap but that doesnt make it the best. There are virtually no ensuites.

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Well, best for accommodation is a little broad and it is likely that both quality and price are relevant factors to the person asking. Pembroke rooms are of a good standard, large and amongst the cheapest in Cambridge from what I have heard, so for a student who is not particularly worried about ensuites it is well worth considering. The lack of ensuites can definitely be a deal breaker to a lot of students though.
What would fit me?

I'd like (ideally) :

1.) Ensuites
2.) Ability to self cater
3.) Close to Medicine / Nat Sci buildings
4.) Hard workers
5.) Left-wing, if possible
6.) Accomodates students in college for entire course including medicine


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(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by Plankroll
The Tompkins table is calculated based on all years. So:
1. a college will do better if it admits students who will get a first every year or who will get a first in the first 2 years then graduate with 2.1, rather than admitting students who will get a first in the final year but have to travel further to get there, with lower marks on the way.
2. As far as I know, a college will do better if it admits more students in subjects where more firsts are awarded.

...and as has been said, the applicants colleges get can look quite different from one college to the nexT


To quote the Wikipedia article on the Tompkins Table: "The scores in each subject are then weighted to a common average, to avoid the bias towards colleges with higher proportions of students entered for subjects which receive higher average grades."
Original post by Obiejess
What would fit me?

I'd like (ideally) :

1.) Ensuites
2.) Ability to self cater
3.) Close to Medicine / Nat Sci buildings
4.) Hard workers
5.) Left-wing, if possible
6.) Accomodates students in college for entire course including medicine


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Are those in order?

One problem you may encounter is a clash between #2 and #6. My college at least does not have fantastic self catering facilities inside the main college (no ovens, for example), I think due to fire safety restrictions. #4 is pretty much every college, this is Cambridge! #5 only really brings one college to mind (Kings) as apart from that I have never heard any political stereotypes associated with any colleges. If people care about the politics in Cambridge they get involved in the political societies but in general in the colleges I sense a certain apathy towards politics in general (particularly student politics, if this years union elections are anything to go by...).

But yeah, based on what you've said, I'd try Kings. It's easily got the strongest reputation for left wing political leanings, is one of the bigger colleges so more likely to have in college accommodation and ensuites and is situated well (Although I do not know the specific locations of Natsci/Medicine buildings, it is reasonably close to all the theatres I know of apart from the West Cambridge Site).
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by St. Brynjar
Food is just food. Obviously there are outliers like Caius and Pembroke, but there isn't a lot to distinguish the colleges in general.


St John's served water pudding at formal.
The university has it's own (Baxter) tables in addition to the Tompkins tables. Apparently Clare first years did pretty well this year http://www.clarealumni.com/s/845/1col.aspx?sid=845&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=2893&ecid=2893&crid=0&calpgid=15&calcid=778

We're a friendly college, one of the few to still have weekly ents. First years are close to the Sidwick site and the university library (although we also have our own law library). The only college that does midnight punting.
Original post by suedonim
St John's served water pudding at formal.


Pembroke has served absolutely horrendous puddings at formal before as well. Every college is allowed to have some off moments, but Johns in general has some of the better quality meals in Cambridge.
Original post by suedonim
The university has it's own (Baxter) tables in addition to the Tompkins tables. Apparently Clare first years did pretty well this year http://www.clarealumni.com/s/845/1col.aspx?sid=845&gid=1&pgid=252&cid=2893&ecid=2893&crid=0&calpgid=15&calcid=778


I thought Baxter tables were subject-specific? Or is that yet another set of Tables?
Which college suits me?

I would like:
1. Ensuites
2. Modern Rooms
3. Able to put your own mini fridge in the room (obviously, if a mini fridge is included this point is met)
4. A strong academic college but not a massive hot-house
5. A college with their own sports facillities (do all colleges meet this point?)
6. A good location i.e. close to a supermarket and an ATM
7. Decent food
8. Decent at football
9. Close to the Sigwick Site as I am a propsective law student

Point 9 is not essential as long as the college is no longer than 15 minutes away.

Am I correct in assuming that all rooms in every colllege have internet connection through a cable?


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Original post by alex_hk90
I thought Baxter tables were subject-specific? Or is that yet another set of Tables?


They are the tables the university produces for tutors, I don't know much more than that. I'd guess they have some way of combining the subject tables.
Original post by Undisclosed 15
Which college suits me?

I would like:
1. Ensuites
2. Modern Rooms
3. Able to put your own mini fridge in the room (obviously, if a mini fridge is included this point is met)
4. A strong academic college but not a massive hot-house
5. A college with their own sports facillities (do all colleges meet this point?)
6. A good location i.e. close to a supermarket and an ATM
7. Decent food
8. Decent at football
9. Close to the Sigwick Site as I am a propsective law student

Point 9 is not essential as long as the college is no longer than 15 minutes away.

Am I correct in assuming that all rooms in every colllege have internet connection through a cable?


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The accommodation you get in first year is often different to the accommodation for later years. I think all colleges have some ensuite accommodation (Pembroke may not) and some that isn't and a modern monstrosity. The type of sports facilities colleges have will vary and most won't have onsite facilities. Some have gyms, some (but not all) onsite sports pitches, Girton has a heated indoor pool (and sports pitches). Nowhere is very far from a supermarket.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by suedonim
The accommodation you get in first year is often different to the accommodation for later years. I think all colleges have some ensuite accommodation (Pembroke may not) and some that isn't and a modern monstrosity. The type of sports facilities colleges have will vary and most won't have onsite facilities. Some have gyms, some (but not all) onsite sports pitches, Girton has a heated indoor pool (and sports pitches). Nowhere is very far from a supermarket.


Which college do you suggest?

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Original post by suedonim
The accommodation you get in first year is often different to the accommodation for later years. I think all colleges have some ensuite accommodation (Pembroke may not) and some that isn't and a modern monstrosity. The type of sports facilities colleges have will vary and most won't have onsite facilities. Some have gyms, some (but not all) onsite sports pitches, Girton has a heated indoor pool (and sports pitches). Nowhere is very far from a supermarket.


I can confirm that Pembroke does not have ensuite accommodation.
Original post by Undisclosed 15
Which college suits me?

I would like:
1. Ensuites
2. Modern Rooms
3. Able to put your own mini fridge in the room (obviously, if a mini fridge is included this point is met)
4. A strong academic college but not a massive hot-house
5. A college with their own sports facillities (do all colleges meet this point?)
6. A good location i.e. close to a supermarket and an ATM
7. Decent food
8. Decent at football
9. Close to the Sigwick Site as I am a propsective law student

Point 9 is not essential as long as the college is no longer than 15 minutes away.

Am I correct in assuming that all rooms in every colllege have internet connection through a cable?


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Is this in order?

Obviously the modern colleges often have more modern rooms, but ensuite depends on the way the college gives out rooms. At John's it's a random ballot, at Trinity you choose a preferred price bracket and get allocated a room. I'm pretty sure from next year though John's is ensuite/private bathroom for basically all Freshers... sorry John's-bashers it's just true. Fridge should be OK for most rooms to be honest; I had one in mine anyway. They usually just check it for electrical faults but otherwise most should be fine.

Colleges have such a wide range of students none are really academic hothouses; honestly it's so much more to do with the student than the college. If you're smart you'll get a first; it's just Trinity gets chosen by smarter applicants in general so they do well. Not much is attributable to the staff.

Rich colleges like John's have their own pitches and rent it out (e.g. Magdalene, Sidney Sussex, etc. use ours). Some, like Queens, Downing, Homerton, etc. use the fields on Grantchester Road so depends on the college. None are that far from supermarkets or ATMs; obviously if you really want to be central don't pick Girton or Homerton.

Food has been discussed already. Football results can be found online somewhere; there's a few college leagues. The closest to Sidge are Selwyn, Newnham, Gonville & Caius (1st year accommodation), Queens... other than Girton, Homerton, maybe Hughes Hall, none are that far.
Original post by Undisclosed 15
Which college do you suggest?

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I don't think you get it yet - so using Clare as an example

1-3. Not all first year rooms are ensuite, however you specify your priority for accommodation and if you want it you're likely to get ensuite. You can ask for an ensuite set (separate living room, so good place to keep a fridge if you can get permission However permission is only granted to those with a good reason like having an allergy or keeping medication in it). In later years it depends on your position in the ballot and whether you ballot for a shared flat - but quite a lot of rooms are not. Some rooms are modern, some not. The more modern rooms are not universally popular as they are often smaller.

4. Some colleges put more pressure on students than others and some students put more pressure on themselves. Ask how many essays you have to write per week. Caius is better than Clare at football but wants more essays.

5. Clare has sports facilities but not on site, unless you count squash courts and the punts for Mem. Gym at the colony.

6. Most central colleges are close enough to Sainsburys and an ATM but Selwyn, which might suit you otherwise, is a bit further away.

9. Mem court (first year accommodation) is fairly close to the Sig site but the Colony (second year accommodation) is further away. Accommodation by ballot, no preference given to those getting a first.

No idea about its food but Selwyn might be worth a look if you don't mind it being 13th in the Tompkin table. look at Jesus too.
I am applying for Chemical Engineering and Organ Scholarship in Cambridge. But I am uncertain which college I should choose...
Any suggestion?
Thanks :smile:

•

Hello everyone! I have just finished year 12 and i was thinking of applying to Cambridge for chemical engineering. I am a girl and an international, but have studied in the Uk this year. Which college would people recommend? I am mostly interested in good college tutorials, hence a good engineering department of tutors specific to the college, and the best chances if getting in. I heard King's college is lacking in female students? Any recommendations? I heard some colleges don't particularly admit students from private schools. I'd like to stir clear of those as i'm attending such a school. Good accommodation is also important for me.

Original post by HazelCher

•

Hello everyone! I have just finished year 12 and i was thinking of applying to Cambridge for chemical engineering. I am a girl and an international, but have studied in the Uk this year. Which college would people recommend? I am mostly interested in good college tutorials, hence a good engineering department of tutors specific to the college, and the best chances if getting in. I heard King's college is lacking in female students? Any recommendations? I heard some colleges don't particularly admit students from private schools. I'd like to stir clear of those as i'm attending such a school. Good accommodation is also important for me.



All the colleges have a slightly higher % of male than female students to balance out the all girl colleges. Because of the pool system you don't change your chance of getting into Cambridge overall by college choice, but you may not get into the college you applied to if it is particularly popular in your year.
If you want to maximise your chances of getting in to the college you apply to, then choose an all girls college or look up the statistics on the University website and choose one which rarely pools students for NatSci/Engineering depending which route you intend to apply through. If you don't want an all girls college you need to avoid getting pooled.

There is little evidence of any systematic bias by colleges against or for the private sector. Colleges with lots of private applicants (say St Johns) tend to admit more than those with fewer (say Kings). It could equally be true that you do better to apply to a college with fewer private school entrants in the hope that they wish to have an evenly balanced intake. I would say don't try to play the odds, just choose a college you like the look of.

Colleges don't vary hugely in teaching and by definition those with the best reputation are also the hardest to get into. Churchill has a high number of science students. You also might go on geography-which colleges are central or near to the engineering block depending on your priority.

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