Changing Oxford college for a good reason?

So I have an offer at Harris Manchester for October 2021.
I'll turn 21 a couple of days before I'm due to start, so I only just qualify as a mature student. I didn't apply to Harris Manchester, but got pooled pre-interview, which I was gutted about. I also hinted at interview that I wasn't keen on a mature college (stupid, I know...).

I'm currently at a different (equally good) university, and honestly, I don't think I want to accept the Oxford offer if it means going to Harris Manchester. I'm really not comfortable with the idea of a mature college; I've been to them at my current uni and found their atmosphere to be completely different, and they also tend not to be part of what's going on in the university.
I'm thinking I should ask to change colleges now, because there's nothing to lose, but is there even a realistic chance of them saying yes? I've read other threads on the topic, but in all of them, people were saying they wanted to change for prestige reasons, which isn't the case for me. If anyone has any insight, I'd be really grateful.

(PS sorry for reposting this, I think it was in the wrong forum before.)

So I have an offer at Harris Manchester for October 2021.
I'll turn 21 a couple of days before I'm due to start, so I only just qualify as a mature student. I didn't apply to Harris Manchester, but got pooled pre-interview, which I was gutted about. I also hinted at interview that I wasn't keen on a mature college (stupid, I know...).

I'm currently at a different (equally good) university, and honestly, I don't think I want to accept the Oxford offer if it means going to Harris Manchester. I'm really not comfortable with the idea of a mature college; I've been to them at my current uni and found their atmosphere to be completely different, and they also tend not to be part of what's going on in the university.
I'm thinking I should ask to change colleges now, because there's nothing to lose, but is there even a realistic chance of them saying yes? I've read other threads on the topic, but in all of them, people were saying they wanted to change for prestige reasons, which isn't the case for me. If anyone has any insight, I'd be really grateful.

(PS sorry for reposting this, I think it was in the wrong forum before.)

I think this is a non-starter I'm afraid. There's no harm in asking, but reasons to change college tend to relate to disability or a change of degree where one college doesn't offer the degree.

@9dobbo1 or @Oxford Mum - do you have much info on HMC?

Op, i’m sorry I can’t give much advice, but all I will say is that there is a life outside college, and you will have course friends but also from societies and stuff. I know college life is a big thing, but i’ve heard good things about HMC so honestly i wouldn’t worry too much! What’s your course?

... is there even a realistic chance of them saying yes?

I think this is a non-starter I'm afraid. There's no harm in asking, but reasons to change college tend to relate to disability or a change of degree where one college doesn't offer the degree.

I'm sorry, but this is coming over as really entitled.

Do you know how difficult it is to get into Oxford for PPE? There will be many students (of any age) who would sell their granny to get such an offer, no matter what the college.

If you are at an "equally good" university, why don't you stay there? Better the devil you know, eh?

Yet this obviously wasn't "prestigious" enough either, was it, because instead of enjoying this university, you applied to Oxford.

You say that your decision is not based on prestige, but you are turning your nose up at what is an excellent college, with high standards and great students and tutors, because you would rather have a more famous, prettier and older college? This is not a great reason!!!

If it wasn't for Harris Manchester, you probably wouldn't be at Oxford at all. If you are borderline, and the other colleges are full, they may well refer you to Harris Manchester to give you another chance. For this reason this college is a lifeline for the over 21s.

I was looking into Harris Manchester for someone else. It is not as modern and more attractive than some colleges.

Look at this lovely May Ball youtube. It shows you that Harris Manchester can be as childlike as any college

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytES3QZ1Qoo

Contrary to popular myth, Harris Manchester college is not stuffed with 40 year olds. It is far more likely to have other 21 year old people, or maybe some just a little older, who have been out in the real world, earning a living for the last couple of years. Doesn't this make them even more interesting?

It also has lovely little quirks, such as chapel services for pets

As for engaging with the wider university, my elder son was a member of the following Oxford University societies:

The History Society
The German Society
The Tea Drinkers Appreciation Society (secretary)
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society (secretary)
Port and Policy (a must if you are a PPEist)
Oxford Union Debates
He wrote for the Cherwell (Oxford student magazine)

Sometimes he used to turn up alone at French society cheese and wine dos (although he did not read French and knew no-one) and start singing. Once it was filmed and went viral, getting over 1,000 hits. My point is, if you really want to get involved with the university, you can.

He even knew Dobbo through port and policy!!!

Here is a list of all the glorious clubs and societies you can join:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs/list

Now come on, use your imagination!

This son became a BNOC (big name on campus ie one of the 10 most famous people at Oxford), despite having no connections or being particularly sociable before. We literally could not walk down the street in Oxford without him being hugged by someone. (Some of the huggers were even from Oxford Brookes - he knew everyone!)

So please do not make yourself look silly by asking the tutors to let you change college. If you are happy to extend the hand of friendship to other HM students, you will soon start seeing the college as family.

Let this be your mantra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3VqAsMXE7o

I'm sorry, but this is coming over as really entitled.

Do you know how difficult it is to get into Oxford for PPE? There will be many students (of any age) who would sell their granny to get such an offer, no matter what the college.

If you are at an "equally good" university, why don't you stay there? Better the devil you know, eh?

Yet this obviously wasn't "prestigious" enough either, was it, because instead of enjoying this university, you applied to Oxford.

You say that your decision is not based on prestige, but you are turning your nose up at what is an excellent college, with high standards and great students and tutors, because you would rather have a more famous, prettier and older college? This is not a great reason!!!

If it wasn't for Harris Manchester, you probably wouldn't be at Oxford at all. If you are borderline, and the other colleges are full, they may well refer you to Harris Manchester to give you another chance. For this reason this college is a lifeline for the over 21s.

I was looking into Harris Manchester for someone else. It is not as modern and more attractive than some colleges.

Look at this lovely May Ball youtube. It shows you that Harris Manchester can be as childlike as any college

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytES3QZ1Qoo

Contrary to popular myth, Harris Manchester college is not stuffed with 40 year olds. It is far more likely to have other 21 year old people, or maybe some just a little older, who have been out in the real world, earning a living for the last couple of years. Doesn't this make them even more interesting?

It also has lovely little quirks, such as chapel services for pets

As for engaging with the wider university, my elder son was a member of the following Oxford University societies:

The History Society
The German Society
The Tea Drinkers Appreciation Society (secretary)
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society (secretary)
Port and Policy (a must if you are a PPEist)
Oxford Union Debates
He wrote for the Cherwell (Oxford student magazine)

Sometimes he used to turn up alone at French society cheese and wine dos (although he did not read French and knew no-one) and start singing. Once it was filmed and went viral, getting over 1,000 hits. My point is, if you really want to get involved with the university, you can.

He even knew Dobbo through port and policy!!!

Here is a list of all the glorious clubs and societies you can join:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs/list

Now come on, use your imagination!

This son became a BNOC (big name on campus ie one of the 10 most famous people at Oxford), despite having no connections or being particularly sociable before. We literally could not walk down the street in Oxford without him being hugged by someone. (Some of the huggers were even from Oxford Brookes - he knew everyone!)

So please do not make yourself look silly by asking the tutors to let you change college. If you are happy to extend the hand of friendship to other HM students, you will soon start seeing the college as family.

Let this be your mantra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3VqAsMXE7o

I'm sorry, but this is coming over as really entitled.

Do you know how difficult it is to get into Oxford for PPE? There will be many students (of any age) who would sell their granny to get such an offer, no matter what the college.

If you are at an "equally good" university, why don't you stay there? Better the devil you know, eh?

Yet this obviously wasn't "prestigious" enough either, was it, because instead of enjoying this university, you applied to Oxford.

You say that your decision is not based on prestige, but you are turning your nose up at what is an excellent college, with high standards and great students and tutors, because you would rather have a more famous, prettier and older college? This is not a great reason!!!

If it wasn't for Harris Manchester, you probably wouldn't be at Oxford at all. If you are borderline, and the other colleges are full, they may well refer you to Harris Manchester to give you another chance. For this reason this college is a lifeline for the over 21s.

I was looking into Harris Manchester for someone else. It is not as modern and more attractive than some colleges.

Look at this lovely May Ball youtube. It shows you that Harris Manchester can be as childlike as any college

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytES3QZ1Qoo

Contrary to popular myth, Harris Manchester college is not stuffed with 40 year olds. It is far more likely to have other 21 year old people, or maybe some just a little older, who have been out in the real world, earning a living for the last couple of years. Doesn't this make them even more interesting?

It also has lovely little quirks, such as chapel services for pets

As for engaging with the wider university, my elder son was a member of the following Oxford University societies:

The History Society
The German Society
The Tea Drinkers Appreciation Society (secretary)
The Gilbert and Sullivan Society (secretary)
Port and Policy (a must if you are a PPEist)
Oxford Union Debates
He wrote for the Cherwell (Oxford student magazine)

Sometimes he used to turn up alone at French society cheese and wine dos (although he did not read French and knew no-one) and start singing. Once it was filmed and went viral, getting over 1,000 hits. My point is, if you really want to get involved with the university, you can.

He even knew Dobbo through port and policy!!!

Here is a list of all the glorious clubs and societies you can join:

https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/life/clubs/list

Now come on, use your imagination!

This son became a BNOC (big name on campus ie one of the 10 most famous people at Oxford), despite having no connections or being particularly sociable before. We literally could not walk down the street in Oxford without him being hugged by someone. (Some of the huggers were even from Oxford Brookes - he knew everyone!)

So please do not make yourself look silly by asking the tutors to let you change college. If you are happy to extend the hand of friendship to other HM students, you will soon start seeing the college as family.

Let this be your mantra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3VqAsMXE7o

So I have an offer at Harris Manchester for October 2021.
I'll turn 21 a couple of days before I'm due to start, so I only just qualify as a mature student. I didn't apply to Harris Manchester, but got pooled pre-interview, which I was gutted about. I also hinted at interview that I wasn't keen on a mature college (stupid, I know...).

I'm currently at a different (equally good) university, and honestly, I don't think I want to accept the Oxford offer if it means going to Harris Manchester. I'm really not comfortable with the idea of a mature college; I've been to them at my current uni and found their atmosphere to be completely different, and they also tend not to be part of what's going on in the university.
I'm thinking I should ask to change colleges now, because there's nothing to lose, but is there even a realistic chance of them saying yes? I've read other threads on the topic, but in all of them, people were saying they wanted to change for prestige reasons, which isn't the case for me. If anyone has any insight, I'd be really grateful.

(PS sorry for reposting this, I think it was in the wrong forum before.)

I think this response is a bit over the top.

No offence but you haven’t gone to Oxford. I actually think this message has come off quite rude and inconsiderate. People have many reasons to want to change college (ie trauma, mental/physical illness etc ) I don’t think you should be so opinionated on something you have no experience of, just because your son goes there- you haven’t. You are free to give your opinion- but be polite. You don’t know what someone is going through so don’t call them entitled. I find it a bit weird that you seem to be on this forum all the time having not gone to Oxford- have you not got something else to do? I’m sorry to say this, but I think a lot of things you say can be very rude and misinformed half the time.

Try telling people on the Oxford thread that I should not be on TSR!

anyway, this thread is about OP, not about me.

I am just saying that OP should give Harris Manchester a chance, and not dismiss it. Look at what the offer holder above says about it.

i helped a friend of mine get in HMC for law, and I have nothing but positive things to say about it.

So I have an offer at Harris Manchester for October 2021.
I'll turn 21 a couple of days before I'm due to start, so I only just qualify as a mature student. I didn't apply to Harris Manchester, but got pooled pre-interview, which I was gutted about. I also hinted at interview that I wasn't keen on a mature college (stupid, I know...).

I'm currently at a different (equally good) university, and honestly, I don't think I want to accept the Oxford offer if it means going to Harris Manchester. I'm really not comfortable with the idea of a mature college; I've been to them at my current uni and found their atmosphere to be completely different, and they also tend not to be part of what's going on in the university.
I'm thinking I should ask to change colleges now, because there's nothing to lose, but is there even a realistic chance of them saying yes? I've read other threads on the topic, but in all of them, people were saying they wanted to change for prestige reasons, which isn't the case for me. If anyone has any insight, I'd be really grateful.

(PS sorry for reposting this, I think it was in the wrong forum before.)