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Choosing an Oxford College

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Original post by elfwand
right but at which ones? do some universities have a reputation for having more formals halls or being more stringent with gowns?


I believe all colleges require gowns for formal hall, the only thing that changes is how often formal hall is held.
Even then though it's not usually necessary to attend. They normally have a regular dinner option available earlier on in the evening.
Original post by Lucilou101
I believe all colleges require gowns for formal hall, the only thing that changes is how often formal hall is held.
Even then though it's not usually necessary to attend. They normally have a regular dinner option available earlier on in the evening.


I thought Wadham notoriously doesn't require gowns for formal? (I say notoriously because gowns are EPIC and should be worn at all possible availabilities :colone: )
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
I thought Wadham notoriously doesn't require gowns for formal? (I say notoriously because gowns are EPIC and should be worn at all possible availabilities :colone: )


I think you might be correct, I vaguely remember wadham not having formal hall at all.
At the end of the day though, you will need a gown and Subfusc for other things so it's not really a big factor in choosing a college as it's a necessity anyway :smile:
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
I thought Wadham notoriously doesn't require gowns for formal? (I say notoriously because gowns are EPIC and should be worn at all possible availabilities :colone: )


True, although it's been a little controversial lately

http://www.cherwell.org/news/college/2013/01/31/wadham-moderates-antiformal-stance
http://oxfordstudent.com/2013/01/31/gowns-voted-down-for-friday-formals/
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
I thought Wadham notoriously doesn't require gowns for formal? (I say notoriously because gowns are EPIC and should be worn at all possible availabilities :colone: )


I'm not even sure whether Wadham's dinners are technically formals! :tongue: Also, not all colleges require gowns to be worn to formal - Balliol's one of them. Wadham certainly doesn't require gowns at dinner either.

Anyway, even if you do have to wear a gown, the formality of the attire underneath can vary enormously. In my college, people show up regularly in jeans and a t-shirt and no one bats an eyelid. At colleges like Magdalen and Teddy, the standard is suit and ties for guys, and a nice dress for girls.

If you really wanted very formal attire, you'd probably have your fair share of black tie events as an undergrad if you want to go for them (eg Burns Night, subject dinners, balls).
Original post by Lucilou101
I believe all colleges require gowns for formal hall, the only thing that changes is how often formal hall is held.
Even then though it's not usually necessary to attend. They normally have a regular dinner option available earlier on in the evening.


which collages have formal hall the most/least?
Original post by elfwand
which collages have formal hall the most/least?


Not entirely sure - if you really want to know spend the time looking at all the colleges to find out yourself.
It probably varies between 2-5 a week.
Like I said they're normally not compulsory anyway.

May I ask why it's so important?
I want a really formal and traditional collage. somewhere old as well. what collages fit that?
Original post by elfwand
I want a really formal and traditional collage. somewhere old as well. what collages fit that?


I'd say the choral foundations (New, Magdalen and Christ Church) as well as Worcester (which is the best college ever) :ninja:
whats the choral foundations?
Original post by Lucilou101
I think you might be correct, I vaguely remember wadham not having formal hall at all.
At the end of the day though, you will need a gown and Subfusc for other things so it's not really a big factor in choosing a college as it's a necessity anyway :smile:


no its the other way round, i want gowns as much as possible, i'm an international student and its something that attracted me to oxford.
Original post by elfwand
whats the choral foundations?


Sorry, I should have explained! They are colleges that in their founding charter, stipulated that there MUST be a choir. The choral foundations have a chapel service of some kind every single day. These three colleges are Christ Church, Magdalen and New, which are some of the more traditional/"prestigious"-seeming colleges :yes:
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
Sorry, I should have explained! They are colleges that in their founding charter, stipulated that there MUST be a choir. The choral foundations have a chapel service of some kind every single day. These three colleges are Christ Church, Magdalen and New, which are some of the more traditional/"prestigious"-seeming colleges :yes:


Oh thanks :smile: i really wasn't go go somewhere really traditional. are there any big differences between new and christ church (i cant go to magdalen)
Original post by elfwand
Oh thanks :smile: i really wasn't go go somewhere really traditional. are there any big differences between new and christ church (i cant go to magdalen)


I can't think of any major differences but then I don't know either college that well. Do you have any other specific things you are looking for in a college?

One thing to note is that Christ Church has LOADS of tourists going through it most days. That could be off-putting to some :dontknow:
I'm an international student so trying to go out and get accommodation or storage is not easy so I'd love to find somewhere that is known for their great accommodation.
Original post by elfwand
I'm an international student so trying to go out and get accommodation or storage is not easy so I'd love to find somewhere that is known for their great accommodation.


That, I can't comment on, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I am will come along soon :smile:
Original post by The_Lonely_Goatherd
That, I can't comment on, but hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I am will come along soon :smile:


ok thanks so much though :biggrin:
Original post by elfwand
I'm an international student so trying to go out and get accommodation or storage is not easy so I'd love to find somewhere that is known for their great accommodation.


Christ Church provide accommodation for all years, New don't in the 3rd year.
Christ Church also have formal hall every day :smile:
Original post by elfwand
I'm an international student so trying to go out and get accommodation or storage is not easy so I'd love to find somewhere that is known for their great accommodation.


Do you want great accommodation, or do you want somewhere that will let you live in during the holidays? Very different criteria.

And getting storage is easy - i think all colleges offer international storage or there's e.g. this if you need it which picks up andis reliable, albeit expensive.
(edited 9 years ago)
Original post by elfwand
I'm an international student so trying to go out and get accommodation or storage is not easy so I'd love to find somewhere that is known for their great accommodation.


New college provides accommodation for years 1,2 and 4. 3rd year most (almost all) people live out (this would mean you could stay in your room during vacation).
During vacation you can put 3 boxes in storage, but I think this goes up to 6 boxes for international students.

At the moment we don't have formal hall due to the fact that hall and the buttery are being renovated so we have a temporary hall, although this is supposed to be completed by about December 2014 so wouldn't affect you.

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