tips on choosing oxford college

Hi, year 12 here. I'm applying to Oxford this year (eeeek) and would like some advice on choosing oxford colleges. I know this isn't hugely important as most people don't have a preferred college anyway but I feel like it would be better to do as it might show the uni that you have done some research on colleges and also as of 2023 only 26.7% applicants didn't get into the college of their choice. Deciding what could be your preferred college isn't very time-consuming either so all in all I think it's nice to actually know what you want.
Any response (especially from current oxford students) would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

Hi, year 12 here. I'm applying to Oxford this year (eeeek) and would like some advice on choosing oxford colleges. I know this isn't hugely important as most people don't have a preferred college anyway but I feel like it would be better to do as it might show the uni that you have done some research on colleges and also as of 2023 only 26.7% applicants didn't get into the college of their choice. Deciding what could be your preferred college isn't very time-consuming either so all in all I think it's nice to actually know what you want.
Any response (especially from current oxford students) would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

Hi, year 12 here. I'm applying to Oxford this year (eeeek) and would like some advice on choosing oxford colleges. I know this isn't hugely important as most people don't have a preferred college anyway but I feel like it would be better to do as it might show the uni that you have done some research on colleges and also as of 2023 only 26.7% applicants didn't get into the college of their choice. Deciding what could be your preferred college isn't very time-consuming either so all in all I think it's nice to actually know what you want.
Any response (especially from current oxford students) would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

Start here: https://apply.oxfordsu.org/colleges/suggester/
Of course, it would be best if you could attend an open day (the next one should be some time in late June - failing that, there’s always one in mid-September) to get a feeling of what the top 3 colleges as per the suggester’s recommendations are like.
If St John’s happens to be one of the colleges it recommends, I can give you some insight into what life is like there. Also, if you are applying for chemistry, I can also give you further insights into what the course is like (at least in the first and second years).

OP, my daughter looked at Lincoln, Christ Church, and St Peter's. She applied to and was accepted by St Peter's because she liked its small size and friendly vibe. She starts her second term there next week. She is loving her college, and Oxford in general.
St Peter's does not have glorious architecture, but it's a pleasant space, very centrally located. Its current Master Professor Judith Buchanan is warm and energetic, and the college appears to be well run. It has what is generally acclaimed to be the best college bar in Oxford. The food is OK, with formal Hall twice a week, which is always popular and full.
My daughter has been allocated a room in college for the second year so will live in college for all three years of her degree. About half of the second years live out.
My nephew recently graduated from Exeter College, where he had a good time. Exeter is a pretty college, in one of the best locations in Oxford. Its garden offers a marvellous view of the Old Bodleian, the Radcliffe Camera, All Souls College and the University Church of St Mary.
A friend from work is currently the President of Magdalen, where she was an undergraduate a while back, and she naturally enthuses about her college, which is indeed a magnificent college, with great facilities. Another college to look at might be Trinity, which has recently spent a lot on some refurbishment works. If you like modern architecture, St Catz is great. It's Arne Jacobsen's masterpiece. My friends from Somerville and New College sing the their praises.
I studied at Wadham many years ago and had a great time. It's a beautiful college and I shall always Iove it, but I don't currently recommend Wadham to any student. This is because of the ideological capture of a significant component of its student body by belief systems which I regard as inimical to the idea of what a university should be. I dined in Hall with the Warden and Fellows of Wadham early last year. Only one of the student tables in the (large) Hall was occupied during dinner (it was early in the term and no exams were in progress or in prospect). That does not give a good impression of the state of the college.
As an undergraduate I hung out a lot with friends Queen's and Balliol, both fun at that time. That was long ago, but I have no reason to suppose that they are not still fun.

Thank you! I actually don’t live in the UK so it’d be a bit hard for me to attend a live open day. If you could recommend some online conferences or events that’d be super helpful. For instance, I know Oxford hosts zoom meetings via their official website every now and then so I do attend those. I have heard of this college suggester - will try it out soon and let you know my results. Thanks again. Btw, are you currently studying at Oxford, or have you already graduated?

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a long message and congrats to your daughter and nephew! Do you mind if I dm you to ask a few more questions about Oxford?

That’s fair. I’ll look into online alternatives and get back to you when I find something.
I’m a current student in my second year.

Much appreciated. Good luck with your studies do you mind if I dm you to ask a few questions about Oxford?

OP, my daughter looked at Lincoln, Christ Church, and St Peter's. She applied to and was accepted by St Peter's. She liked its small size and friendly vibe. She starts her second term there next week. She is loving her college, and Oxford in general.
St Peter's does not have glorious architecture, but it's a pleasant space, very centrally located. Its current Master Professor Judith Buchanan is warm and energetic, and the college appears to be well run. It has what is generally acclaimed to be the best college bar in Oxford. The food is OK, with formal Hall twice a week, which is always popular and full.
My daughter has been allocated a room in college for the second year so will live in college for all three years of her degree. About half of the second years live out.
My nephew recently graduated from Exeter College, where he had a good time. Exeter is a pretty college, in one of the best locations in Oxford. Its garden offers a marvellous view of the Old Bodleian, the Radcliffe Camera, All Souls College and the University Church of St Mary.
A friend from work is currently the President of Magdalen, where she was an undergraduate a while back, and she naturally enthuses about her college, which is indeed a magnificent college, with great facilities. Another college to look at might be Trinity, which has recently spent a lot on some refurbishment works. If you like modern architecture, St Catz is great. It's Arne Jacobsen's masterpiece. My friends from Somerville and New College sing their praises.
I studied at Wadham many years ago and had a great time. It's a beautiful college and I shall always Iove it, but I don't currently recommend Wadham to any student. This is because of the ideological capture of a significant component of its student body by belief systems which I regard as inimical to the idea of what a university should be. I dined in Hall with the Warden and Fellows of Wadham early last year. Only one of the student tables in the (large) Hall was occupied during dinner (it was early in the term and no exams were in progress or in prospect). That does not give a good impression of the state of the college.
As an undergraduate I hung out a lot with friends at Queen's and Balliol, both fun at that time. That was long ago, but I have no reason to suppose that they are not still fun.

Hi, year 12 here. I'm applying to Oxford this year (eeeek) and would like some advice on choosing oxford colleges. I know this isn't hugely important as most people don't have a preferred college anyway but I feel like it would be better to do as it might show the uni that you have done some research on colleges and also as of 2023 only 26.7% applicants didn't get into the college of their choice. Deciding what could be your preferred college isn't very time-consuming either so all in all I think it's nice to actually know what you want.
Any response (especially from current oxford students) would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.