The Student Room Group

Choosing an Oxford college

Hey, I'm having difficulty deciding which college I want to apply to. I'm hoping to apply for English (2023 entry) at either Brasenose or Lincoln.

I went to the open day recently and really liked both of them but am unsure which would be better since I had a 'gut feeling' about both of them. Anyone have any advice or warnings about either college that I should take into account?
Hi, I'm not an Oxford student but also looking to apply in 2023 : ) I've done some research into the Oxford colleges and know that both of those are really great, but I think Lincoln is slightly better for English, and Brasenose is harder to get into so there's a higher likelihood of getting relocated. Brasnose is, on the other hand a more 'whimsical' environment. Try and find college comparison tables online, they're very helpful! This is one on acceptance rates: https://public.tableau.com/views/UniversityofOxford-CollegeSuccessRates2021/CollegeSuccessRates?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&:showTabs=y&:showVizHome=no
Hope this was helpful!
Original post by mysistersmells
Hey, I'm having difficulty deciding which college I want to apply to. I'm hoping to apply for English (2023 entry) at either Brasenose or Lincoln.

I went to the open day recently and really liked both of them but am unsure which would be better since I had a 'gut feeling' about both of them. Anyone have any advice or warnings about either college that I should take into account?
Thank you so much!
Original post by gabbyyaustin
Hi, I'm not an Oxford student but also looking to apply in 2023 : ) I've done some research into the Oxford colleges and know that both of those are really great, but I think Lincoln is slightly better for English, and Brasenose is harder to get into so there's a higher likelihood of getting relocated. Brasnose is, on the other hand a more 'whimsical' environment. Try and find college comparison tables online, they're very helpful! This is one on acceptance rates: https://public.tableau.com/views/UniversityofOxford-CollegeSuccessRates2021/CollegeSuccessRates?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&:showTabs=y&:showVizHome=no
Hope this was helpful!
Hi @mysistersmells and @gabbyyaustin
I'm a current English student at Merton College, so obviously Merton is the best!! But if you are looking elsewhere, Lincoln was also on my shortlist :wink:.

I don't know what your criteria are, but the reasons why I went for Merton were that:
- the location was very central, but slightly off the beaten track
- it provides accommodation for all 3 years.
- there are large grounds and a general feeling of space (Lincoln felt a little bit claustrophobic in comparison) and, well, it's just beautiful.

Think about costs - food and accommodation, because they really do vary. Merton came out as one of the cheapest for both.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/colleges/do-I-pay-to-live-in-my-college

The college success rates table that you linked above, @gabbyyaustin, is really interesting, especially because you can search each year separately and 3 years combined. Are you applying for English too? And which college are you thinking of?

The Alternative prospectus might be helpful:
https://apply.oxfordsu.org/

For general information, you might find this site useful too. There's a PS bank as well as information on the ELAT, etc:
oxbridgingthegap.wixsite.com/my-site

The Elat 2021 thread on here might have some useful pointers, if you have time to read it!
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6770134

Good luck!
(edited 1 year ago)
Thank you as well @OnAnonAndOn! Your advice is immensely helpful :smile:

Would you say it is overly obsessive or even just pointless to look at admissions statistics for colleges? I understand that you'd have an equal chance getting in at any one, but in regards to pooling perhaps?
Original post by OnAnonAndOn
Hi @mysistersmells and @gabbyyaustin
I'm a current English student at Merton College, so obviously Merton is the best!! But if you are looking elsewhere, Lincoln was also on my shortlist :wink:.

I don't know what your criteria are, but the reasons why I went for Merton were that:
- the location was very central, but slightly off the beaten track
- it provides accommodation for all 3 years.
- there are large grounds and a general feeling of space (Lincoln felt a little bit claustrophobic in comparison) and, well, it's just beautiful.

Think about costs - food and accommodation, because they really do vary. Merton came out as one of the cheapest for both.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/colleges/do-I-pay-to-live-in-my-college

The college success rates table that you linked above, @gabbyyaustin, is really interesting, especially because you can search each year separately and 3 years combined. Are you applying for English too? And which college are you thinking of?

The Alternative prospectus might be helpful:
https://apply.oxfordsu.org/

For general information, you might find this site useful too. There's a PS bank as well as information on the ELAT, etc:
oxbridgingthegap.wixsite.com/my-site

The Elat 2021 thread on here might have some useful pointers, if you have time to read it!
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6770134

Good luck!
Hello! Glad you thought the college success table was interesting, and yes, I am also applying for English, hopefully at either Exeter, Queens or Brasenose! How do you find the 'Oxford student life'?
Original post by OnAnonAndOn
Hi @mysistersmells and @gabbyyaustin
I'm a current English student at Merton College, so obviously Merton is the best!! But if you are looking elsewhere, Lincoln was also on my shortlist :wink:.

I don't know what your criteria are, but the reasons why I went for Merton were that:
- the location was very central, but slightly off the beaten track
- it provides accommodation for all 3 years.
- there are large grounds and a general feeling of space (Lincoln felt a little bit claustrophobic in comparison) and, well, it's just beautiful.

Think about costs - food and accommodation, because they really do vary. Merton came out as one of the cheapest for both.
https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/colleges/do-I-pay-to-live-in-my-college

The college success rates table that you linked above, @gabbyyaustin, is really interesting, especially because you can search each year separately and 3 years combined. Are you applying for English too? And which college are you thinking of?

The Alternative prospectus might be helpful:
https://apply.oxfordsu.org/

For general information, you might find this site useful too. There's a PS bank as well as information on the ELAT, etc:
oxbridgingthegap.wixsite.com/my-site

The Elat 2021 thread on here might have some useful pointers, if you have time to read it!
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6770134

Good luck!
Original post by mysistersmells
Thank you as well @OnAnonAndOn! Your advice is immensely helpful :smile:

Would you say it is overly obsessive or even just pointless to look at admissions statistics for colleges? I understand that you'd have an equal chance getting in at any one, but in regards to pooling perhaps?

Obviously you won't know how many people are going to apply to each college for English in your particular admissions cycle, but I think it's good to have as much information as possible, even if it only serves to bust some myths! And, yes - if the college you apply to initially thinks you're a good candidate, but doesn't have room for you, you will be pooled.
I'd say in general the more you know about the process, the better.
Original post by gabbyyaustin
Hello! Glad you thought the college success table was interesting, and yes, I am also applying for English, hopefully at either Exeter, Queens or Brasenose! How do you find the 'Oxford student life'?

Exeter was one of the other colleges on my shortlist - it's beautiful!
Student life at Oxford is great. There are so many opportunities. Yes, the workload is intense, (you do get used to it) but the social life is just as intense. Work hard, play hard!
Haha, I went to the open day and straight after asking about the course and teaching, I asked so many students about the social life. Performing drunken Shakespeare plays sounds pretty amazing!
Original post by OnAnonAndOn
Exeter was one of the other colleges on my shortlist - it's beautiful!
Student life at Oxford is great. There are so many opportunities. Yes, the workload is intense, (you do get used to it) but the social life is just as intense. Work hard, play hard!
Original post by mysistersmells
Hey, I'm having difficulty deciding which college I want to apply to. I'm hoping to apply for English (2023 entry) at either Brasenose or Lincoln.

I went to the open day recently and really liked both of them but am unsure which would be better since I had a 'gut feeling' about both of them. Anyone have any advice or warnings about either college that I should take into account?


Heya! Choosing an Oxford college is very challenging so I can't blame you! I would recommend checking out this free Oxford and Cambridge College comparison tool to help you with choosing the perfect college for you! :smile: There are many things to consider before selecting the college of your dream and the comparison tool will help you with understanding the difference between the two better!

Good luck and hope this helps!
Milena G.
Oxbridge Mind
Thank you!
Original post by OxbridgeMind
Heya! Choosing an Oxford college is very challenging so I can't blame you! I would recommend checking out this free Oxford and Cambridge College comparison tool to help you with choosing the perfect college for you! :smile: There are many things to consider before selecting the college of your dream and the comparison tool will help you with understanding the difference between the two better!

Good luck and hope this helps!
Milena G.
Oxbridge Mind

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