Choosing an Oxford College

A couple of weeks ago I posted a question about colleges that allow you to live there for the course of the degree.

Someone posted (quite rightly) that it might be better to live closer to the hospital (I will be doing Graduate Entry Medicine - if I get in!). So if I choose not to live at the college, what do I have to pay for there? Presumably not accommodation, but what about food?

I was wanting to meet other people my age (I'm 29 - I know it's old for Uni!), so was thinking that Green Templeton or Harris Manchester would be best. Thoughts?

- Has a higher than average number of law students, and I quite like the idea of having that support system of many students who can discuss the subject with you, and who know what kind of work you're doing.

- It has a brilliant reputation for Law. I'm really interested in jurisprudence and roman law, and the idea of attending the college where people like Hart taught, is pretty incredible.

- It's in a lovely location, completely central, right next to the Bod.

BUT

- the student who showed us around said that it's more expensive on average than the other colleges.

Exeter:

- LOVED the atmosphere. Exeter seems so much quirkier than Brasenose, and a lot more warm and friendly.
- Also in a lovely location (not really a surprise since it's right next to Brasenose).

BUT

- There isn't a great deal of information available about Law at Exeter so I don't know how studying the subject would be there.

I'd love to hear what others think- especially any law students currently at either college! Also, is there any truth to the rumour that it's not advisable for two students from the same school to apply to the same college? A friend of mine wants to apply for Medicine at Brasenose- should one of us consider changing to a different college?

Thanks in advance!

I have narrowed down the colleges i like to four:
somerville
st annes
lady margaret hall
st catherines

I want a more modern college that isn't too formal and gowned. Also i would prefer a pay as you go food system and a college that is quite relaxed and down to earth. Which would you recommend?

I have narrowed down the colleges i like to four:
somerville
st annes
lady margaret hall
st catherines

I want a more modern college that isn't too formal and gowned. Also i would prefer a pay as you go food system and a college that is quite relaxed and down to earth. Which would you recommend?

Not very 'modern' but by Oxford standards, informal, relaxed and friendly and with free punting right outside.

St Hilda's:

http://www.st-hildas.ox.ac.uk/index.php/undergraduate/Working-life-Psych-1st-stu.html

Doesn't have that formal feel and their version of sub fusc is apparently stick a gown on top of your normal clothes in most cases - have a look at it and others here:

Oxford College pros and cons


HTH

I haven't read this whole topic, so it might be mentioned before, but does someone know which colleges give their students free (or cheap) access to the swimming pool?
Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I'm an international student from Asia who's currently aspiring to apply for PPE at a college with a rich history....

Originally, I had Brasenose College in mind, but after checking the admissions statistics it was apparently over subscribed by 700% and was just after Worcester in its application numbers last year...

I myself is pretty clueless about the system, but I do have a few friends studying or studied at Oxford and they have said, it would maximise your chance if you do apply at an under subscribed or less competitive college....

So I went on to look again, then I saw Queen's College which appealed to be significantly... but apparently, it is one of the four college which Jardine approves for a scholarship, and hence would the quality of applicants be higher? Resulting into a situation that they will first obtain your place, then the scholarship... which leave me at a very messy situation I would imagine.....

Now I've short listed a few colleges, because to be honest, I would like to attend a college with rich flavour in Oxford history for three years...

My friend at Oxford gave me a list which I found to be useful, but it is just impossible to make a choice :
- Christ Church
- Corpus Christi
- Queen's (He said it's unlikely to matter)
- LMH
- St Hilda's.......

He said LMH and St Hilda's would be a very realistic target for me... but if I do wish to go for something like ChCh or CCC, he said he wouldn't stop me....

But as an international applicant, I am pretty clueless, and some advice given here would be of extreme help... as I would have to make a decision ASAP...

Thanks!

Firstly, stop stressing! The fact that you can be 'pooled' into a different college to the one you applied if you are good enough to get into Oxford but not that particular college means that thinking about college competitiveness isn't all that important. In theory, applying to a competitive college would not affect your chances of getting into Oxford.

On the other hand, applying to Brasenose means you have a high chance of being pooled to a college you did not apply to, which is not ideal, so perhaps there is some logic in avoiding there. I would not be put off by this Queens scholarship - i don't think it will make much difference.

Aside from that, virtually all of the colleges have a 'rich history', two of the biggest exceptions being LMH and St Hilda's (don't get me wrong, they are both very nice and LMH in particular has very nice grounds, but if you are looking for history they are not the places to apply to!). If you want, you have scope to widen your list greatly. Claimants to the oldest college are University college, Merton, and Balliol. St Edmund Hall has an interesting history as a PPH, although has lots of modern buildings now. St Johns, Lincoln, Exeter, Jesus, Queens, ChCh and CCC all have lots of history. I could name more if you wanted.

I'd start narrowing down colleges based on other factors, if you want to put effort into this decision. Look for which ones offer 3 years accommodation, and then where that accommodation is (as some colleges send their second years a long way away), look at prices, look at the grounds on the virtual tour. Look at college size, etc.

Or just pick Queens. Its a lovely college and would save you a lot of effort!

What is the average age of graduates at most of the Oxford colleges? I will be 30 when I start and don't want to be the oldest there!

I have thought about applying to Harris Manchester but they have some things that are putting me off - not PAYG food, move out of room in holidays, not guaranteed accomm in the first year. And other colleges have more graduates (presumably older people) than HM.

Basically I want to be with people my own age. I will be doing Graduate Medicine and have narrowed down my options to: Green Templeton, Magdalen, St Catz, Worcester and maybe Harris Manchester.

Suggestions?

Hi, I'm applying for Fine Art. I was wondering if anyone had advice of Christ Church or New College?