Choosing an Oxford College

Is there a sort of general consensus that the pooling system generally works out quite fairly - i.e. for the kids who shoot for the tougher colleges and get rejected from there but are Oxford-quality, they're fairly certain to be given the chance to have a crack somewhere else?
(It's just a bit tricky all the way from my part of the world discerning whether in reality pooling seems to be successful)

Is there a sort of general consensus that the pooling system generally works out quite fairly - i.e. for the kids who shoot for the tougher colleges and get rejected from there but are Oxford-quality, they're fairly certain to be given the chance to have a crack somewhere else?
(It's just a bit tricky all the way from my part of the world discerning whether in reality pooling seems to be successful)

No one really knows. It's never gonna be perfect of course, but that's because the system in general is quite flawed. Some statistics (as mentioned above) suggest it's working quite well, but a friend of my moms who's a professor in Oxford says it's crap. I think it's quite different for each subject and college, and even specific tutors who are more or less likely to send people on. For example, I applied to Univ for PPE, they got a lot of people that year compared to other years, but still only three of the 36 of us got an interview somewhere else. However, for some subjects, everyone automatically gets a second interview, making pooling far more likely. In conclusion, as with all Oxford admisions things, it's just vague and thinking about it too much only drives you crazy.

For example, I applied to Univ for PPE, they got a lot of people that year compared to other years, but still only three of the 36 of us got an interview somewhere else.

How do I find out the quality of a particular subject taught at a particular college? (If the statistics are available.) I mean: Some colleges reportedly motivate their students better to work and provide an outstanding equipment related to the subject.

It's rubbish, basically. Occasionally some colleges have particularly good tutors in certain subjects, but other than that it doesn't make a difference. Plus you're often taught out of college anyway - this term I don't have any tutes in Merton whatsoever. Some colleges do better overall, and for that you can look at the Norrington Table, but there's nothing subject-specific. Also, a degree from Oxford is a degree from Oxford, and your degree class is more likely to depend upon you than your college.

So what's the point of the college system if colleges play a minor role in subject teaching?

What is Merton like? I have been "investigating" it on the internet, my cousin went to St. Edmund Hall so he's biased, but for some reason Merton appeals to me? Could anybody please tell me more?

it has a fierce academic reputation, rivalled by st johns and magdalen. if a pressure-cooker environment appeals then it is the place for you, if you'd rather a more laid back college then don't apply to merton in terms of physical location i don't find it particularly attractive, though it has pleasant gardens and a central location.

It does have a very strong academic reputation, but I don't think there's anything especially pressured about it, especially with the Warden leaving this year. The expectation, particularly among scientists, is that you will be aiming for a first, which is different to many other colleges, but rather than being like "you're not working to a first, do more work!" it's like "you seem to be struggling to get to a first, how can we help?" and so is a really good, supportive environment.

I agree that Merton's academic obsession is sometimes overexaggerated, but I have met Mertonians who say that there can be quite a lot of rivalry and competitiveness amongst people doing the same subject That might just be a couple of individuals rather than the whole college.

I agree that Merton's academic obsession is sometimes overexaggerated, but I have met Mertonians who say that there can be quite a lot of rivalry and competitiveness amongst people doing the same subject That might just be a couple of individuals rather than the whole college.

Want To Go To Merton Now!

if a pressure-cooker environment appeals then it is the place for you