Choosing an Oxford College

Which colleges are the most modern? I mean the look and feel of them (both external and internal?)..

St Catz :-) though internal is starting to look worn and no longer as modern as it used to be. Still a great place to be, hehehehe but then am biased on this.

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Reply 3041

warndog

3

Original post by tuesday91

Current Brasenose student here :smile:

What you realise when you come to Oxford is that all of this stereotype stuff is a bit rubbish really - pretty much all colleges will have all sorts of people. Certainly none of my friends are the hooray henry type, and pretty much whichever college you go to some people will be rich and many people won't be. Also the Norrington isn't much of a guideline anyway as what people don't realise is it is scarcely a judge of how academic the college is or anything, last year's finalists were just particularly good for us! Norrington changes so much that it's only a measure of students, which change year to year, not the college. Obviously it varies from subject to subject but I highly doubt we're more 'academic' than other colleges. I've heard of loads of people doing my course from other colleges who seem to have way more tutes than I do.

As for Brasenose - I would advertise it as fantastic! We are a great size so the whole year can know each other. You get accommodation all years of your course in one of two places (college or the Frewin annexe which unlike a lot of annexes is still completely central) which means that there is a lot of inter-year mixing as well because we are around each other all the time. There are some fun traditions like going through a passageway between us and Lincoln which is only opened once a year and demanding free beer from them, and then watching them throw pennies at schoolkids.

I definitely find my experience about as chilled out and fun as it is possible to be in Oxford (the sad truth whichever college you go to there will be a whole lot of work, there's no escaping that, it's Oxford!)

Thank you so much that gives me a lot of confidence in applying to BNC. Just a couple of quick questions, what is the sport like? I'm really into football and I was wondering if you had sports pitches (incl tennis courts) nearby?

Also, what is the food like at BNC? And are there many occassions for properly formal dinners (where people don't just where t-shirt and jeans under gowns!)?

By the way what subject do you read?

Thanks!

Reply 3042

warndog

3

I think that I have changed my mind and I am actually going to apply for PPE at Balliol instead.
Is it true that Balliol is a really friendly relaxed college?
Do any current Balliol students mind the fact that they have got rid of gowns and other formal things or is it actually a blessing? Is the "informal" formal hall every Tuesday a smart occasion? Do swaps occur for that hall?
Would really appreciate any current Balliol (or other Oxford) students offering their advice thanks!

Reply 3043

GPODT

16

Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept

St Catherines & Wolfson (arguably.) But don't forget not all colleges do all courses. (In terms of looks.)

Original post by nexttime

In terms of looks, St Catz, St annes, St Hildas, Somerville...

I don't go around feeling colleges though i'm afraid.

Original post by Alfissti

St Catz :-) though internal is starting to look worn and no longer as modern as it used to be. Still a great place to be, hehehehe but then am biased on this.

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Thanks but I forgot to say.. I specifically meant the accommodation ?...

Reply 3044

Oxford Computer Science Dept

2

That's a very different, and much more difficult question. Many of the colleges have a mix of older and newer accommodation.

For example, at St Johns (founded 1855), it depends upon which year you are in as to which accommodation you'll be in. They've recently opened a lovely new accommodation block, but it's one of several they use. They explain it here: http://www.sjc.ox.ac.uk/1932/Undergraduate%20Accommodation.html

So in some cases even a very old college would mean new accommodation at least some of the time. It I suggest you take a look at the websites of the colleges that do your chosen course. Also the students union alternative prospectus might help you.

Reply 3045

Halogenation

In my typical fashion I have allowed a strict time limit to govern a very important choice of mine

Here's the deal:
I'm applying to Chemistry at Oxford, both Worcester and Keble interest me, and I have been siding with Worcester as one of my friends is applying to Physics at Keble.
The thing is, after more research I have decided I would prefer to be at Keble, BUT my friend is undoubtebly better academically than me.

My question is:
Will the fact that someone else from my school who is better than me is applying to Keble affect my chances of getting into Keble (i.e. the admissions tutors notice that there's a higher standard coming from my school?) Or, is it the case that such an effect would only apply if he too was applying for Chemistry at Keble? Thanks.

Reply 3046

bcrazy

7

I couldn't tell you for absolute certain but I'm pretty sure it is largely dealt with by the subject tutors so I would not think it is an issue to apply to the same college as long as it is a different subject.
And even if someone did come across both applications, I would imagine (or hope at least) they have a better system for analysing quality of school than just looking at one other student who went there!

Reply 3047

Halogenation

Original post by bcrazy

I couldn't tell you for absolute certain but I'm pretty sure it is largely dealt with by the subject tutors so I would not think it is an issue to apply to the same college as long as it is a different subject.
And even if someone did come across both applications, I would imagine (or hope at least) they have a better system for analysing quality of school than just looking at one other student who went there!

I see, thanks for your input :smile:

. I've put down Keble for now and done the 'Pay and send' bit. Will talk to my referee tomorrow and will ultimately be done with wretched UCAS and everything university wise for a couple of months :biggrin:

.

Reply 3048

pahoeho

1

People from the same school can definitely get into the same college. I can understand why there might be an issue if it was the same subject but since its not it shouldn't affect your chances.

Reply 3049

tuesday91

1

Original post by warndog

Thank you so much that gives me a lot of confidence in applying to BNC. Just a couple of quick questions, what is the sport like? I'm really into football and I was wondering if you had sports pitches (incl tennis courts) nearby?

Also, what is the food like at BNC? And are there many occassions for properly formal dinners (where people don't just where t-shirt and jeans under gowns!)?

By the way what subject do you read?

Thanks!

Haha no problem, I remember looking into all this stuff about where had the most of a certain type of person, and looking at things in the Norrington table, then got here and realised you'll make friends with the kinds of people you like and do as well as you work for wherever!

So as sports go, we cater for loads of different ones and our sports grounds are only about 10-15 minutes walk away with the facilities you'd want. I don't know how our football team is doing right now, but I definitely know that there is a thriving one!

I haven't eaten much in hall since first year just because I like to cook, but the food is good (the kitchens have been redone recently and are amazing now), and relatively varied as some colleges go. Not the best for vegetarians I don't think, unless you are a fan of carb on carb, but otherwise nice. Formal is three times a week, plus a first sitting on Sunday without gowns. People go in varying states of smartness really, but I guess tend to make a bit more effort in gown-ed meals. There are the occasional posher things (freshers dinner, subject dinners, guest dinners etc.) which people dress up more for. I do really love our formal food (I go to that now more than I'd go to standard hall).

And I'm a third year Physics and Philosopher, specialising more towards Philosophy now. If you have any subject-specific questions, I'm sure I know someone doing what you want to do to ask!

EDIT: I just read your above post, never mind if this isn't applicable but just in case you change your mind :smile:

Reply 3050

esaika

Hi!

I have been trying to decide between St. Anne's college and Magdalen. :smile:

I have narrowed them down to those two, pretty different but lovely colleges, but I have been wondering if I should apply to St Anne's college to avoid the risk of being pooled somewhere randomly from Magdalen.

I know it does not matter that much where you go, but in my case, it is really crucial to have an access to easy self-catering (health reasons), and I really really would not want to risk getting pooled to a college with only a catered option available for the first year. So any advise or opinions on this dilemma?

Reply 3051

anyone_can_fly

11

Original post by esaika

Hi!

I have been trying to decide between St. Anne's college and Magdalen. :smile:

I have narrowed them down to those two, pretty different but lovely colleges, but I have been wondering if I should apply to St Anne's college to avoid the risk of being pooled somewhere randomly from Magdalen.

I know it does not matter that much where you go, but in my case, it is really crucial to have an access to easy self-catering (health reasons), and I really really would not want to risk getting pooled to a college with only a catered option available for the first year. So any advise or opinions on this dilemma?

I think that if you have health (or religious) reasons for needing to self-cater, whatever college you go to is obliged to provide facilities. :smile:

Reply 3052

esaika

Original post by anyone_can_fly

I think that if you have health (or religious) reasons for needing to self-cater, whatever college you go to is obliged to provide facilities. :smile:

Even if I haven't mentioned it anywhere in my application (UCAS-form etc.)? I thought that that might be the case so I emailed about it to several colleges I was interested in, and some of them replied by saying pretty bluntly that self-catering is not possible in the first year. :frown:

Reply 3053

elliot17

Original post by esaika

Even if I haven't mentioned it anywhere in my application (UCAS-form etc.)? I thought that that might be the case so I emailed about it to several colleges I was interested in, and some of them replied by saying pretty bluntly that self-catering is not possible in the first year. :frown:

Go for St Anne's! (cos that's where I've applied to :smile:

haha) I was stuck between Worcester and St. Anne's and decided on St Anne's partly so I'm less likely to get pooled, I would like at least the option to self cater too but that's just a preference for me rather than a need. As someone already said I thought they were obliged to give you it if you needed it so I don't really know what you can do :/ maybe email the central admissions people rather than individual colleges? Sorry to have been absolutely no help whatsoever really haha

Reply 3054

esaika

Original post by elliot17

Go for St Anne's! (cos that's where I've applied to :smile:

haha) I was stuck between Worcester and St. Anne's and decided on St Anne's partly so I'm less likely to get pooled, I would like at least the option to self cater too but that's just a preference for me rather than a need. As someone already said I thought they were obliged to give you it if you needed it so I don't really know what you can do :/ maybe email the central admissions people rather than individual colleges? Sorry to have been absolutely no help whatsoever really haha

Yei, someone else is applying there as well then. :P Do you mind if I ask what were your reasons to apply to St. Anne's (apart from the pooling factori)? :smile:

Reply 3055

elliot17

Original post by esaika

Yei, someone else is applying there as well then. :P Do you mind if I ask what were your reasons to apply to St. Anne's (apart from the pooling factori)? :smile:

Yeh I've been struggling to find someone else who's applying there :smile:

it was mainly cos of the people there on the open day really, I went to the open day thinking definitely Worcester (mainly cos of the beautiful grounds) but the people I met at Worcester seemed really boring and just didn't sell it very well. But at St Anne's everyone was really friendly and made it seem like a nice place to be :smile:

it's also close to the physics department and the university parks and I like that its less formal than others. Formal hall is only like once every fortnight or something which would just make it more special if that makes sense? Hope this helps :smile:

Reply 3056

anyone_can_fly

11

Original post by esaika

Even if I haven't mentioned it anywhere in my application (UCAS-form etc.)? I thought that that might be the case so I emailed about it to several colleges I was interested in, and some of them replied by saying pretty bluntly that self-catering is not possible in the first year. :frown:

Hmm, what do you need? Your own kitchen, or just access to a kitchen? What sort of food can't you eat? At Merton everyone has access to a kitchen, but in first year it comes out at about 50 people (most of whom don't try to self-cater) per kitchen. Self-catering is definitely possible here, though, it's just a hassle. I'm sure other colleges have better facilities. Maybe Worcester?