Choosing an Oxford College

Thats a tall order big A

I was thinking its typical characteristics of centralised, traditional colleges...

Could someone suggest any colleges which fulfill these criteria: Is pretty central, very social, maintains ancient fun traditions (so its not liberal like Balliol), has great parties, is not too small, has hardly if any modern buildings, and is very pretty architecture/garden wise.

No, I was at Mansfield, which is even smaller and a little bit further out of town, but which I would also recommend to anyone.

i feel safe with low application ratios.

Could someone suggest any colleges which fulfill these criteria: Is pretty central, very social, maintains ancient fun traditions (so its not liberal like Balliol), has great parties, is not too small, has hardly if any modern buildings, and is very pretty architecture/garden wise.

Mansfield seems a bit small for my liking ( no offence), it scares me how small the big colleges are, nevermind the small ones!
Big A whats wrong with Baillol? I'd love to go there, but i'm too scared to apply 'cos its so over subscribed. And i know if you're meant to be at Oxford, you'll get in no matter where you apply, but still, i feel safe with low application ratios.

Whooo, this post makes me a full member!!

well exeter sounds gd to most of those:
- turl street = cant get much more central
- v v social when people go out, loads of people often go out together, due to small physical size c everyone at hall, in bar etc.
- loads of great bops, and bday parties
- is small physically but not that small in actual numbers
- NO modern buildings at all (well the ones above blackwells are i suppose but thats only one wall and it actually looks decent and theyre built as the quad walls not dumped in the middle of a quad like at other colleges), one of only v few colleges that can claim that...
- v pretty, beautiful chapel, garden runs along bodlein and hasd spectacular views into rad cam square etc...

That is a myth. Until there is a single centralised admissions process the luck of whether you hit it off with a particular interviewer at a particular college will continue to rule the day. The system is not infallible and people who are good enough do not always get sent for additional interviews at other colleges.

so i should apply somewhere i like with favorable admission stats?

if everyone crosses out the top five, why are they the top five? if you get my drift?

if everyone crosses out the top five, why are they the top five? if you get my drift?

or some people (like me) were completely naive about the whole process when they applied and just chose the college they liked most when they went round it on an open day, not really being aware of its reputation and lucked out with an offer