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Choosing an Oxford College

Thank you guys so much for the replies! I can't put in an open application, can only choose one or the other! But I would just like to know about the sense of community, the general (social and academic) reputations of the colleges compared to each other, the people there, and strength in PPE. Are the formals, social events, clubs generally similar or do they differ? I'm sorry if these questions come off as too basic, but I really appreciate the help! :biggrin:

Reply 3841

iwbsab_icdi

Also, Worcester is a bit cheaper, but I don't know whether that is because the facilities or tutorials are better at Hertford or not? If the colleges are very similar I might choose Worcester!

Reply 3842

Jantaculum

10

Your question maybe should focus on accommodation - where do JYAs in each college live?

At some colleges JYAs don't live on the main college site but in college-owned accommodation elsewhere in Oxford.

I don't know the set-up at Hertford and Worcester (sorry) but it's worth finding out if it makes a difference to you.

Reply 3843

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by iwbsab_icdi

Thank you guys so much for the replies! I can't put in an open application, can only choose one or the other! But I would just like to know about the sense of community, the general (social and academic) reputations of the colleges compared to each other, the people there, and strength in PPE. Are the formals, social events, clubs generally similar or do they differ? I'm sorry if these questions come off as too basic, but I really appreciate the help! :biggrin:

Woosta answers:

Sense of community
A great sense of community. As I said before it's small enough to know everyone but large enough to be anonymous if you wish to. People are generally welcoming and friendly and everyone gets along with everyone.

Reputation
A "work-somewhat-hard-play-really-hard" college. People throw themselves fully into various extra curricular activities. As such, we're not known for our academics :colondollar:

Not sure what Hertford's rep is, tbh. They used to have an awesome bar though - dunno whether they've made changes since I left. People
Friendly, both students and tutors.

Strength in PPE
As you can see here: http://www.worc.ox.ac.uk/About-Worcester/Fellows-Research-Interests . Quite a few philosophers, only one economics tutor and one politics tutor. Cohort is about 10 per year, IIRC.

Formals
Used to be six per week, now down to four AFAIK. Food is of a very high quality - amongst the best in Oxford.

Socials
Pretty similar to Hertford, I'd imagine. I'd say they have the better bar.

Accommodation
All accommodation is either within college walls or within 2 mins walk of the college.
Societies
Woosta is known for it's dramatic arts group, Buskins (who are loaded by the way!). It has one of the best mixed chapel choirs in Oxford, superior to Hertfords. Only college to have multi-purpose sports pitches on site (within college walls).

Reply 3844

nexttime

22

Original post by iwbsab_icdi

Thank you guys so much for the replies! I can't put in an open application, can only choose one or the other! But I would just like to know about the sense of community, the general (social and academic) reputations of the colleges compared to each other,

I don't think its significantly different. I'd advise you to judge on tangible factors, like accommodation that someone else mentioned. Or price and just go for Worcester.

Worcester is the most popular college with British applicants as it happens. Very nice grounds.

Reply 3845

nexttime

22

Original post by jenkinsear

One factor that would concern me is that Hertford have a few drinking societies (primarily all male and full of private school kids) which from my experiences tend to result in the potential for a clicky and socially divided year group. Of course it isn't always the case, but it's something I'd personally not risk. Worcester to my knowledge has no such things and is a pretty liberal place.

I think all colleges have at least a male drinking society. A quick google suggests the worcester one might be called the Kingsley Club?

Generally something to avoid if possible though i agree.

Ignore the nonsense about Hertford being closer to 'town'. They are both basically equidistant from the main shopping street (Cornmarket).

'Marginally closer to the other colleges and most departments and libraries' would be a more accurate term i guess.

Also worth keeping in mind that Colleges charge differently. Somewhere like Univ charges you a flat rate regardless how good your room is (i.e everyone pays the same) which is in my eyes completely unfair and reflects the stuffiness of the place.

I find it interesting you perceive that as 'stuffy'. I always perceived it as a liberal, community-spirited thing to do as you eliminate a degree of class privilege from the atmosphere (even if it may leave the poorer students out of pocket).

Some Colleges make you pay more for a better room, less for a worse one. A number also still use your academic results to rank you in order of preference for accommodations in later years. Personally I think that is also horrific as it's statistically easier to get a first/high mark on something like Maths than it is in say law or history. (That isn't saying Maths is easier by the way; just the nature of the subject predisposes it to higher marks being achievable)

I just think that its a strange thing to do full stop. Are we really still at the stage where we need direct financial incentive to do well? I thought it was childish when parents were doing it for their child's GCSEs, £10 per A or whatever... yet some kind of financial reward seems to be standard practice at most colleges, with some crazy ones even allocating rooms by it as you say.

I should probably point out i was never the highest of acacemic achievers :tongue:

The stuff i didn't quote were good points.

Reply 3846

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by jenkinsear

It also has a huge OICCU presence which is normally indicative of clickyness and terrifyingly Conservative religious views.

This is the only bit of your description that I am familiar with. There was a big presence in my day too but they were a friendly bunch. Sure they might tell you that you're going to Hell or whatever, but generally they were very friendly, nice people.

Then again, I probably got a different impression of them to most. They were always too terrified of me to try and preach/convert me :colone:

Reply 3847

mishieru07

12

Original post by jenkinsear

From my experience it's not the kind of place where people seem too friendly to outsiders. Whenever I'm round visiting friends (whether this has been as an undergrad or postgrad) people don't really make a big effort to be friendly or say hi as I've found you get at other Colleges. They tend to just look scared or totally uninterested. I mean compare it to St Hugh's where people will randomly say hello to you in the corridor even if you don't know them and it seems like you're going to a funeral :redface:

I've been to quite a few colleges now visiting with friends and no one has ever randomly said hello to me at all (discounting the people whom I actually know)! Maybe I just look incredibly unfriendly/ intimidating :cry2:

Anyway, I don't know very much about Worcester or Hertford, but I'd pick Worcester because of the Formals (the food is sooooo good!) and the grounds. :tongue:

Reply 3848

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by mishieru07

I've been to quite a few colleges now visiting with friends and no one has ever randomly said hello to me at all (discounting the people whom I actually know)! Maybe I just look incredibly unfriendly/ intimidating :cry2:

Dw, no one has ever said hi to me randomly either, at any college I've gatecrashed (and I gatecrashed a fair few, back in the day!) :no:

Reply 3849

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by jenkinsear

Are you by chance any of the following: a lesbian, liberal or Catholic?

All three! :colone:

(Well the first one I'm still trying to figure out, but yeah :tongue:

)

Reply 3850

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by jenkinsear

That explains it. I imagine the fact you are no doubt a decent, moral person despite having all of these characteristics scares them to death. Oh how I hope OICCU dies and disappears from Oxford one day...

I don't think it's the lesbian thing - I identified as straight at the time, and I know they tried proselytising (whatever the word is - you know the one I mean!) to a gay friend of mine. It was almost certainly the Catholic thing :jebus:

Reply 3851

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Original post by jenkinsear

I believe OICCU don't even consider Catholics to be Christian? They have always found me difficult because I'm a liberal Christian but don't really subscribe to a particular denomination and basically disagree with them on everything from gay rights to traditional gender roles. I once had the CU rep ask me to stop being so vocal about my views during mission week because 'having someone who identifies as Christian disagreeing with us makes it harder to convince people that what we're preaching is true'. Says it all really...

Yeah pretty much: Catholics can't agree to their constitution thing coz it directly conflicts with our beliefs :s-smilie:

Lol about that CU rep. It sounds like had we been in Oxford at the same time, you and I would have got on like a house on fire :colone:

Reply 3852

nexttime

22

Original post by jenkinsear

Maybe I look incredibly friendly? Can't really see it... I'd recommend wandering round St Hugh's if you feel the need for a few random strangers saying hi :wink:

Maybe you're really attractive?

Agreed that the food is great. Only £5 for formal too which is pretty good!

They are the only college to fail a food hygiene inspection in recent years though. Please don't hurt me TLG

Original post by jenkinsear

That explains it. I imagine the fact you are no doubt a decent, moral person despite having all of these characteristics scares them to death. Oh how I hope OICCU dies and disappears from Oxford one day...

At least the CU have good intentions (from their perspective). I reserve my hate more for OUCA. I mean, holding a conference on social inequality in an attempt at rebranding... in an exclusive Mayfair club? How dumb can you get.

Exeter's is ridiculously high (they are currently all on hall strike over it) so if you added it to their figures it would put them significantly higher than they are at current rates.

What is actually going on with Exeter btw? I used to think that they just had a charge that you needed to pay if you wanted to use hall, which is similar to other colleges, albeit more expensive. This article though suggests that its a 'mandatory annual flat-fee paid by students living-in'. In which case, how is that different to rent? Is this just an attempt to hide high rents from prospective applicants?

(edited 10 years ago)

Reply 3853

elfwand

Are some colleges especially known for having balls or for having the best balls (not super important in picking a college but still fun).

Reply 3854

elfwand

I've heard people say that if you go to Christ Church you'll get creamed in the Union elections? Is this true and are some colleges known for being very active or successful in the Union?

Reply 3855

studentiam

10

I've chosen a few colleges to look round at Oxford, listed below, and was wondering if some of you could tell me their pros/cons and reputations etc; anything you know about them really. For instance I heard that Wadham is a gay + communist college.

I like nature, skateboarding, art and travel and would like to study law. If you know any colleges that I would be well suited to please recommend them!

These are the colleges I've chosen to view, please tell me if I should cross any or add any colleges on my list:

Balliol
Christ church
Corpus Christi
Keble
Lady Margaret hall
Magdalen
Merton
St Hilda's
Trinity
Worcester

Thanks very much! I really appreciate your input.

Reply 3856

Solivagant

18

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/oxford_college_pros_and_cons

Reply 3857

The_Lonely_Goatherd

20

Worcester could work well. Has a Law library, big open grounds (so nice for summer revision sessions!), and academic and non-academic travel grants :biggrin:

Reply 3858

ZoeMaloey

8

I'm a first year at Trinity. I'm told we have some of the best food in Oxford (it is seriously good...) and pretty cheap too at just over 4 pounds for a 3 course meal pretty much every night. Uhh, not really sure what sort of stuff you're interested in, but feel free to ask any questions.

Reply 3859

ChopinNocturne

15

Original post by studentiam

I've chosen a few colleges to look round at Oxford, listed below, and was wondering if some of you could tell me their pros/cons and reputations etc; anything you know about them really. For instance I heard that Wadham is a gay + communist college.

I like nature, skateboarding, art and travel and would like to study law. If you know any colleges that I would be well suited to please recommend them!

These are the colleges I've chosen to view, please tell me if I should cross any or add any colleges on my list:

Balliol
Christ church
Corpus Christi
Keble
Lady Margaret hall
Magdalen
Merton
St Hilda's
Trinity
Worcester

Thanks very much! I really appreciate your input.

Shameless college plugging but St Anne's has a law library, around 6 law students in each year, and is slightly out of Oxford (but not as far as LMH) so right by university parks. Might be another one to look into!

Choosing an Oxford College

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