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Which college? (PPE)
I want to go to Oxford, next year, and am trying to choose a college to apply for (Partly because I dont want to be sent to the all girls college, as Ive been at an all girls' school for FAR too long, and partly so I get one I know I like)..
I visited with some friends this week, and narrowed it down to Balliol, Exeter, Magdalen, Pembroke.. But any other suggestions would be good..
All of the colleges do PPE, and I do want to drop economics in favour of international relations or something, after a year, but on the non academic side of things, I would like to have a decent social life (in the
sense..If I go to oxford then my goings out will be to the zodiac and the cellar), near the swimming pool preferably, it would be GREAT if they had a drumkit so i could practise, and a 24/7 library would be cool too..
Also good accomodation and cool buildings, cheap drinks and good food? Asking too much? I loved Magdalen college, but Pembroke looks good online (i didnt get round to seeing a lot of them as we only went for one day)
Anyway, any help whatsoever is appriciated!!
I visited with some friends this week, and narrowed it down to Balliol, Exeter, Magdalen, Pembroke.. But any other suggestions would be good..
All of the colleges do PPE, and I do want to drop economics in favour of international relations or something, after a year, but on the non academic side of things, I would like to have a decent social life (in the
sense..If I go to oxford then my goings out will be to the zodiac and the cellar), near the swimming pool preferably, it would be GREAT if they had a drumkit so i could practise, and a 24/7 library would be cool too..Also good accomodation and cool buildings, cheap drinks and good food? Asking too much? I loved Magdalen college, but Pembroke looks good online (i didnt get round to seeing a lot of them as we only went for one day)
Anyway, any help whatsoever is appriciated!!
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Tom Holder's doing PPE at Pembroke. I'm doing it at Hertford. Jessie's doing it at St. Hilda's. DaKeWlEsT's doing it at Balliol. So, yeah, there's a few of us, though the others aren't quite as prevalent on here as I am.
Any particular reason you got it down to those 4? They don't seem to have much in common.
Near the pool isn't ideal. Basically, St. Hilda's is probably closest, then Magdalen, then it works backwards from there. Nowhere is particularly nearby. Similarly the Zodiac, but it takes 15 minutes to walk to (I know from great experience...)
AFAIK nowhere's got a huge alternative scene, it's much more uni-wide. What sort of bands are you into?
Any particular reason you got it down to those 4? They don't seem to have much in common.
Near the pool isn't ideal. Basically, St. Hilda's is probably closest, then Magdalen, then it works backwards from there. Nowhere is particularly nearby. Similarly the Zodiac, but it takes 15 minutes to walk to (I know from great experience...)
AFAIK nowhere's got a huge alternative scene, it's much more uni-wide. What sort of bands are you into?
The Case for Magdalen
Magdalen's closest to iffley swimming pool - infact, the 1st year accomodation building is on the Cowley/Clements/Iffley roundabout.
there's a college drumkit.
Also good accomodation and cool buildings, cheap drinks and good food? Asking too much? I loved Magdalen college..
college accomodation guaranteed throughout your degree (&it's in the centre of town, within walls or next to/opposite) - reasonable prices. (unlike Pem where you mostly live out 2nd year, then are in the 'ghetto' in the 3rd quote from friend of mine there..)
cool buildings - has been used as a film set quite a few times, so i suppose they're pretty cool!
not sure how drinks compare - but we have our own wine shop, which is quite groovy. & the first year building is above an off license!
food = most college are fairly variable on this i think.
plus points about magdalen = you pay for what you take - rather than a standing charge, or having to opt out of paying for meals. + there are lots of kitchens around - so you can save yourself money/eat more conveniently - breakfast in hall..hmm, no/cater to your unique tastes/host dinner parties etc!
things are fairly often popular for a reason...?
Magd seems to have oodles of PPE places & some quite impressive tutors apparently..some of my PPE friends commented that my personal tutor was involved in helping draft most of the foreign constitutions they study!
burningwings
..If I go to oxford then my goings out will be to the zodiac and the cellar), near the swimming pool preferably, it would be GREAT if they had a drumkit so i could practise, and a 24/7 library would be cool too..
..If I go to oxford then my goings out will be to the zodiac and the cellar), near the swimming pool preferably, it would be GREAT if they had a drumkit so i could practise, and a 24/7 library would be cool too..
Magdalen's closest to iffley swimming pool - infact, the 1st year accomodation building is on the Cowley/Clements/Iffley roundabout.
there's a college drumkit.
Also good accomodation and cool buildings, cheap drinks and good food? Asking too much? I loved Magdalen college..
college accomodation guaranteed throughout your degree (&it's in the centre of town, within walls or next to/opposite) - reasonable prices. (unlike Pem where you mostly live out 2nd year, then are in the 'ghetto' in the 3rd
quote from friend of mine there..)cool buildings - has been used as a film set quite a few times, so i suppose they're pretty cool!
not sure how drinks compare - but we have our own wine shop, which is quite groovy. & the first year building is above an off license!
food = most college are fairly variable on this i think.
plus points about magdalen = you pay for what you take - rather than a standing charge, or having to opt out of paying for meals. + there are lots of kitchens around - so you can save yourself money/eat more conveniently - breakfast in hall..hmm, no/cater to your unique tastes/host dinner parties etc!
Amrad
And of course Balliol and Magdalen are incredibly competitive for PPE.
And of course Balliol and Magdalen are incredibly competitive for PPE.
things are fairly often popular for a reason...?
Magd seems to have oodles of PPE places & some quite impressive tutors apparently..some of my PPE friends commented that my personal tutor was involved in helping draft most of the foreign constitutions they study!
ahhh now I want to go to Magdalen even more!!!!!!!
I limited it to those 4, by writing a list of the colleges I went to and writing the good/bad things about all of them, and those had the most good points, although some were more academic and some were more because they looked more fun or interesting.
My fav bands at the moment, are AFI, Bad Religion, Guttermouth, HIM, LTJ, NoFX, Pennywise, S.O.A.D, Operation Ivy, Ramones, Spunge (hadnt listened to them in years, but did all day yesterday and they were so good!), Bouncing Souls, Dead Kennedies, Vandals. And recently been converted/pushed towards Mastodon, Motorhead, Pig Destroyers, Slayer and stuff, who're okay.
I limited it to those 4, by writing a list of the colleges I went to and writing the good/bad things about all of them, and those had the most good points, although some were more academic and some were more because they looked more fun or interesting.
My fav bands at the moment, are AFI, Bad Religion, Guttermouth, HIM, LTJ, NoFX, Pennywise, S.O.A.D, Operation Ivy, Ramones, Spunge (hadnt listened to them in years, but did all day yesterday and they were so good!), Bouncing Souls, Dead Kennedies, Vandals. And recently been converted/pushed towards Mastodon, Motorhead, Pig Destroyers, Slayer and stuff, who're okay.
burningwings
I do want to drop economics in favour of international relations or something, after a year
This is possibly not the correct attitude to hold if applying to do PPE. As from what I have heard they like you to be committed to all aspects of the course, and if you are intent on dropping economics without giving it a chance it does not seem like you are interested in the PPE course as a whole.
Jimmy Hill
This is possibly not the correct attitude to hold if applying to do PPE. As from what I have heard they like you to be committed to all aspects of the course, and if you are intent on dropping economics without giving it a chance it does not seem like you are interested in the PPE course as a whole.
I am interested in the course as a whole, but having never studied economics I am wary of it, because of my past experiences with maths. Economics does look more relevant to the world around us than complicated maths (as opposed to every day maths which is useful) though, which is why I think I would be more keen to drop that than continue with it at this point.
hmm.. have you looked into joint schools? or even PPP (physiology, politics & philosophy - where you can specialise in 2, although A2 Biology might lend itself to Phsyiology too!)
because the impression i've got is that economics & maths are a fairly key part of 1st year PPE.. & the majority of people apply with A2 Maths.* & you have to pass the first year of most subjects (& 2nd year medicine, grr) before you get the exciting option choosing time!
* i know very little about the PPE course, it's all just anecdotal & osmosised!
because the impression i've got is that economics & maths are a fairly key part of 1st year PPE.. & the majority of people apply with A2 Maths.* & you have to pass the first year of most subjects (& 2nd year medicine, grr) before you get the exciting option choosing time!
* i know very little about the PPE course, it's all just anecdotal & osmosised!
Elles
hmm.. have you looked into joint schools? or even PPP (physiology, politics & philosophy - where you can specialise in 2, although A2 Biology might lend itself to Phsyiology too!)
because the impression i've got is that economics & maths are a fairly key part of 1st year PPE.. & the majority of people apply with A2 Maths.* & you have to pass the first year of most subjects (& 2nd year medicine, grr) before you get the exciting option choosing time!
* i know very little about the PPE course, it's all just anecdotal & osmosised!
because the impression i've got is that economics & maths are a fairly key part of 1st year PPE.. & the majority of people apply with A2 Maths.* & you have to pass the first year of most subjects (& 2nd year medicine, grr) before you get the exciting option choosing time!
* i know very little about the PPE course, it's all just anecdotal & osmosised!
Physiology interests me less than economics does... I am interested in economics, but not sure how good at it I'd be! Obviously before making my final decision I'll research economics some more (It's half term now, but next week I can bug my economics friends about it)..
Also, I would take advantage of the extra maths help they offer.
Are you doing medicine then? Any fun info/stuff they dont tell you about that that I can tell my friend who wants to apply for it?
Elles
...or even PPP (physiology, politics & philosophy - where you can specialise in 2, although A2 Biology might lend itself to Phsyiology too!)
...
...
I think one of the Ps in PPP is Psychology...although I'm not sure which one out of politics and philosophy is not included in PPP
edit: just looked it up - it's philosophy, physiology and psychology
grey faerie
I think one of the Ps in PPP is Psychology...although I'm not sure which one out of politics and philosophy is not included in PPP
edit: just looked it up - it's philosophy, physiology and psychology
edit: just looked it up - it's philosophy, physiology and psychology
PPP is psychology philosophy and physiology
Okay, lemme c now,
Your criteria :
Pool : Magdlene is closest
Drumkit : most colleges would probably have that.
Drinks : Balliol Bar all the way , although prices have been raised recently, crazy tuesdays anyone ?
Food : no clue, I get the impression that it's edible wherever, nothin special tho.
Balliol is closest to the Cellar and Magdlene to Zodiac
I'd think Balliol and exeter have got the best central location though.
Most colleges have got libraries 24/7 nowadays, not balliol tho: up to midnight i believe.
Grounds and buildingswise, Magdlene is a clear first, it gets intimidatingly beautiful in the summer. Balliol is alright.
I am sorry Elles, but it is a given that Balliol has got the best tutors for PPE.
Although I agree Jimmy about the wrong attitude, most students here haven't done the three subjects before, it's mostly one or two of em. So, if your amazing in two or show great interest in two and mild interest in one you might get away with it.
Maths would make your life much easier in the first year, i must say. The maths required is not the toughest, but it is not very easy either. We had one guy switching to MHP already as a result. In the second year you get to do whatever you like.....
Balliol is the most competitve, Magdelene is competitive for anything and everything...
You should also take into account that Exeter is a small college, while the others are some of the bigger ones if you have any preference....
Good luck,
Now to my essay ,
Your criteria :
Pool : Magdlene is closest
Drumkit : most colleges would probably have that.
Drinks : Balliol Bar all the way , although prices have been raised recently, crazy tuesdays anyone ?
Food : no clue, I get the impression that it's edible wherever, nothin special tho.
Balliol is closest to the Cellar and Magdlene to Zodiac
I'd think Balliol and exeter have got the best central location though.
Most colleges have got libraries 24/7 nowadays, not balliol tho: up to midnight i believe.
Grounds and buildingswise, Magdlene is a clear first, it gets intimidatingly beautiful in the summer. Balliol is alright.
I am sorry Elles, but it is a given that Balliol has got the best tutors for PPE.
Although I agree Jimmy about the wrong attitude, most students here haven't done the three subjects before, it's mostly one or two of em. So, if your amazing in two or show great interest in two and mild interest in one you might get away with it.
Maths would make your life much easier in the first year, i must say. The maths required is not the toughest, but it is not very easy either. We had one guy switching to MHP already as a result. In the second year you get to do whatever you like.....
Balliol is the most competitve, Magdelene is competitive for anything and everything...
You should also take into account that Exeter is a small college, while the others are some of the bigger ones if you have any preference....
Good luck,
Now to my essay ,
DaKewLesT
I am sorry Elles, but it is a given that Balliol has got the best tutors for PPE.
I am sorry Elles, but it is a given that Balliol has got the best tutors for PPE.
apology accepted.. but did Balliol even get a mention in my post, somewhat obviously entitled ' The Case for Magdalen'?
i know nothing about PPE tutors, other than my personal tutor who happens to be lovely & is an honorary one.. it was merely an anecdote. Balliol having the best tutors, allegedly, is hardly mutually exclusive to Magdalen having 'impressive' ones.
& whoops.. I don't know my Ps it would seem!
& burningwings, yep, i'm a medic, currently a cranky one though, so my only words of wisdom would be don't do it..
You mentioned "past experiences with maths" - does this mean you don't like it or you're bad at it? If you don't like it, you're in trouble, as you'll have to do hours of it.
If you're bad at it, you're in even more trouble, as you have to answer on it in the exam.
PPPists only do 2 of the 3 branches, so you could find yourself doing Psych/Phil. I don't know if that interests you.
What colleges did you visit? It'd be interesting to see the ones you've never even considered, as they might suit you more than you think...
In other news, most of those bands are way too big to play the Zodiac, except for Mastodon, who played there on Tuesday. It's a very good venue, but the capacity's 450/250 (upstairs/downstairs), so don't expect many superstars...
If you're bad at it, you're in even more trouble, as you have to answer on it in the exam.
PPPists only do 2 of the 3 branches, so you could find yourself doing Psych/Phil. I don't know if that interests you.
What colleges did you visit? It'd be interesting to see the ones you've never even considered, as they might suit you more than you think...
In other news, most of those bands are way too big to play the Zodiac, except for Mastodon, who played there on Tuesday. It's a very good venue, but the capacity's 450/250 (upstairs/downstairs), so don't expect many superstars...
Bezza
Sorry for being pedantic but it's spelt Magdalen. Sorry, but it was just painful reading so many wrong spellings!! Also, Hilda's is actually closer to the pool, though she says she doesn't want to go to an all girls college.
Damn! i thought i sensed something wrong .... The cambridge spelling seems a lil catchy ..
I hope most colleges have a drumkit! Same goes for any Uni I apply for though.
I could definately show great interest in politics and philosophy, but only a normal level of interest for economics...
I do feel that the school that Im in at the moment does somewhat restrict progress in philosophical or political thinking, as it's more into sciences and maths, but I really want to go to Oxford and take advantage of the tutorial system and stuff and be with people who enjoy talking about it.
RxB, my past experience with maths was being in the bottom set and infuriated because although i wasnt amazing at maths, i felt i could have improved if i hadnt been stuck in a place where i could get by doing no work (the bottom group at my school means Bs or above btw, i got an A)..
I was going to apply for psychology at uni, but apparently that involves alot of stats work anyway, and ive become less interested in that and more interested in philosophy.
I visited Balliol, St.Catherines, Exeter, Magdalen, and by then it was 5.30pm so we had to leave (I havent been to any official open days yet), and havent looked at all of the colleges online just because I love Magdalen so much, and cant really be bothered to read about every single college when they might be completely wrong for me anyway (there's so many!!)..
I know those bands are too big to play the Zodiac!!!! lol. they're my fav bands, but i love going to smaller punk or ska gigs of undiscovered bands, and just any rock gig really
I could definately show great interest in politics and philosophy, but only a normal level of interest for economics...
I do feel that the school that Im in at the moment does somewhat restrict progress in philosophical or political thinking, as it's more into sciences and maths, but I really want to go to Oxford and take advantage of the tutorial system and stuff and be with people who enjoy talking about it.
RxB, my past experience with maths was being in the bottom set and infuriated because although i wasnt amazing at maths, i felt i could have improved if i hadnt been stuck in a place where i could get by doing no work (the bottom group at my school means Bs or above btw, i got an A)..
I was going to apply for psychology at uni, but apparently that involves alot of stats work anyway, and ive become less interested in that and more interested in philosophy.
I visited Balliol, St.Catherines, Exeter, Magdalen, and by then it was 5.30pm so we had to leave (I havent been to any official open days yet), and havent looked at all of the colleges online just because I love Magdalen so much, and cant really be bothered to read about every single college when they might be completely wrong for me anyway (there's so many!!)..
I know those bands are too big to play the Zodiac!!!! lol. they're my fav bands, but i love going to smaller punk or ska gigs of undiscovered bands, and just any rock gig really
H&E
I wouldn't get worried about Maths within Economics. It's barely beyond A-level standard. Sure, not everyone finds Maths A-level easy, but even if you struggle through at A-level, so long as you get through it you'll be fine at Oxford.
Looking at her sig, I don't think Maths A level is even in the frame! The RS is fine for the Philosophy side but she will need to get really really good predictions for all her A2s if she hasn't got Maths or History (which is what they do quite like)
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