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Choosing an Oxford College

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Original post by blabbermonkey
It's good to see one of the faculties actually making an effort to put itself out there to connect with potential applicants outside of the traditional school visits and open day settings- I wish other departments were so enlightened!


That's really nice of you to say - thank you. :-)

Talking to young people is a really enjoyable part of my job. One of the main reasons we keep an account on here is that we can dispel a few myths and hopefully help people make the right post-school decisions for them (whether that's applying to us, or somewhere else, or something totally different entirely). I know it can be really daunting contacting a university to ask questions, but there really are lots of people around who just want to help. (I for one am always happy when it's a prospective student on the phone distracting me from paperwork!)
Reply 3301
Avatar for Lucy_95
Lucy_95
7
I think I'll apply to Oxford for Medicine this year and I've narrowed down my college choice to Lincoln and Keble

Lincoln: really pretty, nice library, central, alright at sport
Keble: Amazing buildings, loads of ensuites, near the science areas

I am really stuck, so does anyone have anything to add, or any negatives about these two??

thanks :-)
Original post by Lucy_95
I think I'll apply to Oxford for Medicine this year and I've narrowed down my college choice to Lincoln and Keble

Lincoln: really pretty, nice library, central, alright at sport
Keble: Amazing buildings, loads of ensuites, near the science areas

I am really stuck, so does anyone have anything to add, or any negatives about these two??

thanks :-)


The only thing I would say is, I was told by a tutor at Keble that they get tons of applications for science degrees purely because of its close proximity to the science areas.
Obviously because of pooling it theoretically shouldn't affect your application but it's worth bearing in mind :smile:
Original post by Lucilou101
The only thing I would say is, I was told by a tutor at Keble that they get tons of applications for science degrees purely because of its close proximity to the science areas.
Obviously because of pooling it theoretically shouldn't affect your application but it's worth bearing in mind :smile:


Funnily enough a few of the Keble medics have been late to lectures multiple times, so perhaps an overestimation of proximity :lol:
Original post by Lucy_95
I think I'll apply to Oxford for Medicine this year and I've narrowed down my college choice to Lincoln and Keble

Lincoln: really pretty, nice library, central, alright at sport
Keble: Amazing buildings, loads of ensuites, near the science areas

I am really stuck, so does anyone have anything to add, or any negatives about these two??

thanks :-)


I don't know if the accommodation provision varies between the two?
Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept
That's really nice of you to say - thank you. :-)

Talking to young people is a really enjoyable part of my job. One of the main reasons we keep an account on here is that we can dispel a few myths and hopefully help people make the right post-school decisions for them (whether that's applying to us, or somewhere else, or something totally different entirely). I know it can be really daunting contacting a university to ask questions, but there really are lots of people around who just want to help. (I for one am always happy when it's a prospective student on the phone distracting me from paperwork!)


Yes, it's great that you post on here! I remember in my first week (in 2011) you/someone asked if any of us new people had interacted with you on here and nobody put up their hands... including me! So, sorry about that, you are much appreciated!

Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by LtCommanderData
Yes, it's great that you post on here! I remember in my first week (in 2011) you/someone asked if any of us new people had interacted with you on here and nobody put up their hands... including me! So, sorry about that, you are much appreciated!

Posted from TSR Mobile


Oh I remember that. I think everyone was just a bit too shell-shocked from having actually arrived to answer :-)

It's also really nice to see current students on here talking about what it's really like. So many of our students are really, lovely, normal people. People who come from such a huge variety of different backgrounds. But from what I see they tend to have one big thing in common: a real interest in their chosen subject. I think that's something that can really get missed when people first start to think about the whole "Oxbridge" thing, and if they'll "fit in".
Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept
Oh I remember that. I think everyone was just a bit too shell-shocked from having actually arrived to answer :-)

It's also really nice to see current students on here talking about what it's really like. So many of our students are really, lovely, normal people. People who come from such a huge variety of different backgrounds. But from what I see they tend to have one big thing in common: a real interest in their chosen subject. I think that's something that can really get missed when people first start to think about the whole "Oxbridge" thing, and if they'll "fit in".


I agree that it's a great initiative from the Computer Science Department. Do you know if any of the other departments are planning on following suit and having their own account? It's such a good way of answering applicant's questions and dispelling myths, because often people are a bit scared to send an email to an Oxford department directly, but are happy to do it anonymously here and then really appreciate the help.
Reply 3308
Avatar for Noble.
Noble.
17
Original post by SHELDON123
I agree that it's a great initiative from the Computer Science Department. Do you know if any of the other departments are planning on following suit and having their own account? It's such a good way of answering applicant's questions and dispelling myths, because often people are a bit scared to send an email to an Oxford department directly, but are happy to do it anonymously here and then really appreciate the help.


As someone who is unfortunate enough to work at the university when not studying, you'll find most people are too busy doing M&S shopping to actually do any work :lol:
Hey, could someone please help me? As I can't visit Oxford, it's quite hard to choose between the Colleges, and there's a lot of different information on the official websites about them, but most often something is missing. At the moment I am thinking about applying to Merton or Christchurch. I have been there 3 years ago on holiday and I remember them quite positively. Stunning architecture, accommodation for all three years, formal hall speak for them. But how is it with their jcr? How is the accommodation really like? Anything positive or negative? I'd be really thankful for any information I could get. (Applying for PPE)
Original post by girlyoudon'tknow
Hey, could someone please help me? As I can't visit Oxford, it's quite hard to choose between the Colleges, and there's a lot of different information on the official websites about them, but most often something is missing. At the moment I am thinking about applying to Merton or Christchurch. I have been there 3 years ago on holiday and I remember them quite positively. Stunning architecture, accommodation for all three years, formal hall speak for them. But how is it with their jcr? How is the accommodation really like? Anything positive or negative? I'd be really thankful for any information I could get. (Applying for PPE)


Have you seen the college pros and cons page? There's also a little bit of student written information on these pages: Merton and Christ Church.

If you've still got questions about Merton, we've got lots of current students waiting to answer your questions. And there's an equivalent Christ Church thread.
Hey, thank you for those links. They're really helpful. I saw the pro and cons page, but that was the only one. :smile:
Original post by girlyoudon'tknow
Hey, could someone please help me? As I can't visit Oxford, it's quite hard to choose between the Colleges, and there's a lot of different information on the official websites about them, but most often something is missing. At the moment I am thinking about applying to Merton or Christchurch. I have been there 3 years ago on holiday and I remember them quite positively. Stunning architecture, accommodation for all three years, formal hall speak for them. But how is it with their jcr? How is the accommodation really like? Anything positive or negative? I'd be really thankful for any information I could get. (Applying for PPE)


I have been both an undergrad and grad at Merton.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'how is it with their jcr'. The JCR is like a mini-student union, getting and spending a budget. I think Merton's is pretty rich compared to the average. Lots of free alcohol, other events, free coffee etc.

Accommodation is very good - lots of big grand rooms, but then so is Christchurch's. I think both would have all 4 years in the city centre. I don't know how the prices compare.

I think one way they do differ is in how you pay for meals - Merton is pay per meal whereas last time i knew ChCh was subscribe for a term? The per-meal cost at ChCh is very low to make up for that though.
Original post by SHELDON123
I agree that it's a great initiative from the Computer Science Department. Do you know if any of the other departments are planning on following suit and having their own account?


I've heard it mooted by a couple of people, but there's a bit of a concern that this is very much an area for students to talk, and we might be seen as unwelcome encroachment on this. I'm going to a meeting in a few weeks to discuss the type of outreach we've been involved in this year and what's worked, so I'll certainly take your feedback along to that :-)
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept
I've heard it mooted by a couple of people, but there's a bit of a concern that this is very much an area of students to talk, and we might be seen as unwelcome encroachment on this. I'm going to a meeting in a few weeks to discuss the type of outreach we've been involved in this year and what's worked, so I'll certainly take your feedback along to that :-)


My I add my tuppence worth. I am an Oxford graduate of long ago, with some experience of the other place and currently a part-time student elsewhere.

I think provided your contribution remains factual, it is to be welcomed.

Oxford and Oxford admissions are shrouded in myth. There are old fogeys like me who are willing to put the record straight but we have to be careful that we are not discussing the world as it used to be (except of course when we are :smile:). There are current undergraduates are provide the bulk of the answers to questions but that can be a mouse's eye view of the world particularly when they have little experience of how the rest of higher education works. There are several VIth form teachers, who perhaps offer the most insight, and others who know the nuts and bolts of the UCAS system.

I think the voice of God, as I have referred to it humorously, should only intervene to pass on factual information. Even in doing that, it should exercise care. Comments from other undergraduates about the academic standards required of entry are probably better than official pronouncements. Those who assert that 15 A* GCSEs are needed or that a facility with the viola is essential for chemistry are pretty quickly shouted down.

If you intervene, then you are going to have to state the official line and the fact that someone satisfies the minimum standard does not necessarily mean it is statistically likely that they will get a place. From Oxford's point of view, it would be nice to look at them, but the decision to apply may alter their whole UCAS application and the other choices they make. A direct post from you here skews the delicate balance of competing information that a potential applicant receives. Likewise, the teaching fairy did not distribute her blessings evenly and the port is better quality at St John's than St Peter's whatever the prospectus says.Therefore, I think you should exercise diplomatic caution, where the official position of the university does not necessarily tell the whole story about a matter.

On the other hand an authoritative statement that Latin, needlework and geography are not suitable A levels in order to apply for computer science at Oxford sorts the point out, once and for all.

Finally, I think you have to be careful about salesmanship. The College of Law posts on TSR and I think it can be safely said that the message of every one of their posts, even when answering a factual question, is "apply to us". That does feel like a friend trying to sell you something.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Noble.
As someone who is unfortunate enough to work at the university when not studying, you'll find most people are too busy doing M&S shopping to actually do any work :lol:


At Oxford M&S? It only takes two mins to cover the store. Not exactly loads of variety in the food hall. :rolleyes:
Original post by nulli tertius
My I add my tuppence worth...


So a pretty fine line then! That's a pretty challenge to live up to :-)

I think I'd broadly agree with most of that. For us it's about making sure people have correct information, that enables them to make the right decision for themselves. Do we always get that fine line quite right? Probably not. But we do try.

I'll certainly pass on your thoughts to my colleagues who are considering getting an account.
Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept
So a pretty fine line then!


But a challenge accepted is better than one rejected.
Original post by legalreality
x.


That's really interesting thank you. I'll certainly pass your comments on to my colleagues in the other science Depts.

(Not to mention taking note, as I'm the person who organises the open day programme for CompSci, and responds to (most) prospective student enquiries that come to us! We've actually upped the number of sample lectures that we offer at Open Days so it's good to hear you think we're on the right track. There's also been a recent recommended shift in the way colleges and Depts run open days: with different areas focusing their activities in different parts of the day, in the hope of tying to address some of the issues you mention.)
(edited 10 years ago)
Reply 3319
Avatar for dvdhsu
dvdhsu
2
Original post by Oxford Computer Science Dept
That's really interesting thank you. I'll certainly pass your comments on to my colleagues in the other science Depts.

(Not to mention taking note, as I'm the person who organises the open day programme for CompSci, and responds to (most) prospective student enquiries that come to us! We've actually upped the number of sample lectures that we offer at Open Days so it's good to hear you think we're on the right track. There's also been a recent recommended shift in the way colleges and Depts run open days: with different areas focusing their activities in different parts of the day, in the hope of tying to address some of the issues you mention.)


For what it's worth, the main reason I chose Oxford (as an undergraduate from the US) was because of the open day [1], which I attended in June 2012. Compared to other US schools (Berkeley, MIT, Stanford [2] and maybe Princeton), I felt the department was much more suited to my tastes (smaller size, friendlier people, better subject fit [as a CS&Per, especially with Peter's talk and writings]). I don't think I would have been able to find out about most of those, if it weren't for the open day: the size of the building is hard to judge from a glowing rectangle on my desk; the current students are difficult to communicate when not in person. The subject fit was initially found through Peter's website, but talking to him in person was much higher bandwidth.

If it weren't for the departmental open day, I probably wouldn't have firmed Oxford, much less shown up in October.

Oh, the lectures were interesting as well; definitely keep them.

I honestly didn't find college open days that useful, but that's likely because I came unprepared and only ended up visiting two colleges (St. Catherine's and Hertford). It was nice to meet the tutors and to take a look around, but I ultimately applied to neither (St. John's instead), and ended up receiving an offer from yet another college (St. Hugh's).

Original post by legalreality
There is also the risk that the quieter voices get drowned out; I've often observed that the more pushy parents who are more informed about the Oxford process tend to dominate tour groups/q&a sessions at the expense of others. ...

Both of these are defects that engaging via something like TSR can admittedly not solve, but it helps provide a form of sticking plaster.


Right; I've noticed that as well. It seems to me that TSR solves the former problem fairly well, though.

1. I wonder if there is a correlation between coming to an open day and showing up in October for overseas offer holders. I think it would be fairly interesting, and you should have the information (since there was a sign-in sheet during the open day).

2. Did you know that CS has become Stanford's most popular / largest major? Over 90 percent of all Stanford undergraduates take a CS course!
(edited 10 years ago)

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