Choosing an Oxford College

I want to apply to do Biomedical science. It's a new subject for 2011......
I am thinking New College, University college, Oriel or Queen's at the moment.
I want a college that is friendly
3 years of accomodation would be nice...... but not essential
Nice JCR/bar
reasonably central
Good food (preferably pay as you go)
Nice accomodation
Internet in all rooms
Wasbasin in all rooms (unless there is an ensuite obviously)
I appreciate it may not be possible to fulfill al of my criteria, but as many as possible would be good
Also if anyone knows where I could find information about how many biomedical students there would be at each college please let me know, because it is a new course, there is very little about it. (Edit : I have found this information on some of the college pages, but the information all in one place would be a bonus if anyone knows where I might find that)
Thanks

Is it worth bearing in mind the subject tutor of the college you're applying for i.e. should I aim to apply somewhere with a tutor whose research interests are along the lines of my own?
Also do you receive lectures primarily from your subject tutor at your college? I'm applying for Experimental Psychology, by the way.

Hi all!

For some time now, I had my mind set on applying for English at Cambridge. But recently I began giving Oxford some thought, and found out that the course at Oxford would probably suit me better than the Cambridge one.

The problem is that I've never even been to Oxford, know hardly anything about the colleges, and don't have much time left before making my application. And yes, I know I have been really really stupid for not looking at the Oxford course properly before, but for some odd reason I always thought I'd go for Cambridge

I have been looking at college's websites, but often couldn't find that much info about accommodation. I would like to be at a college that provides on-site (or at least really close by) accommodation for all three years. I haven't found a college that offers it yet, so I'm sorry if such a college doesn't even exist.

Another thing that is important to me is that the college isn't ridiculously far out, but there don't seem to be much of those at Oxford - or am I mistaken here?

In Cambridge I really fell for the big old colleges like St. John's or Jesus, so I have to admit that I would like being at a good-looking college. Most of the colleges seem really pretty though (I'm not that picky), and the other criteria are for more important to me.

I would be extremely grateful for some opinions or tips My 'shortlist' is still eighteen colleges long, so I'm getting a bit desperate!

There are quite a few colleges which offer on-site/close accommodation for all three years, so you are onto a winner there

There are not many colleges which are a long way out. St Anne's, St Hugh's and Lady Margaret Hall are the ones which come to mind as being a little way out (it's hardly anything really). You might like to look at the map with reference to the English Faculty if you want to be close to your lectures etc.

What else is important to you?

Can you get over to Oxford at all? I know time is short but you don't need to be on a formal tour to get a good look round - all the Colleges will let you in if you say you are a prospective student.

Thanks for your reply Unfortunately I can't come to Oxford before the UCAS deadline. I'm from Europe, and I can't afford a trip to England on such short notice.

I looked at the map, and from that I thought that everything seemed quite close - but I was afraid that there might be colleges that are so far out you can't even see them on the map (like Girton or Homerton at Cambridge). I love walking, so as long as it's close enough that I'll be able to manage without a bicycle, I'll be fine

To be honest, being accommodated on-site for three years is the most important factor for me, so I'm relieved to know that such colleges exist! I don't really care that much about size, but somewhere wealthy might be handy - as you might have noticed from the first bit of my post, I'm not the richest of people A college that offers financial support (or has really low rents) would be great.
I'm a rather quiet person, and I prefer a nice library over a good bar. I'm slightly apathetic when it comes to politics, so I don't mind about a college's reputation on that field. Again, somewhere old and pretty would be nice, but then again everything in Oxford seems to be old and pretty, so I think I'm spoiled for choice on that front

Thanks so much for your help!

I am really happy to help Don't worry, I'm sure you can get a decent idea of everything from website and of course you can always get in touch with the Colleges to ask about them. Many of them have "alternative prospectuses" on the websites which help to give you more insight.

As the poster above suggested, Magdalen should fulfil your criteria.

I would suggest that you also look at University College. Univ is near the centre, and it's quite well-known for its generous financial support - have a look on the website. (The majority of colleges offer some sort of financial help but it does vary.) Only problem is, its accommodation annexe (which I think is for 2nd or 3rd years) is in North Oxford, so you would be a bit of a way out for that year (though much better than having to rent privately!).

New College is the other one that springs to mind.

Good luck in making your choice, and in your application.

Pretty sure Magdalen fulfils all of those
(oh, well, first year accommodation isn't on-site, but it is either just across the road or a minute down it, so it's pretty close).

Thanks for your reply Unfortunately I can't come to Oxford before the UCAS deadline. I'm from Europe, and I can't afford a trip to England on such short notice.

I looked at the map, and from that I thought that everything seemed quite close - but I was afraid that there might be colleges that are so far out you can't even see them on the map (like Girton or Homerton at Cambridge). I love walking, so as long as it's close enough that I'll be able to manage without a bicycle, I'll be fine

To be honest, being accommodated on-site for three years is the most important factor for me, so I'm relieved to know that such colleges exist! I don't really care that much about size, but somewhere wealthy might be handy - as you might have noticed from the first bit of my post, I'm not the richest of people A college that offers financial support (or has really low rents) would be great.
I'm a rather quiet person, and I prefer a nice library over a good bar. I'm slightly apathetic when it comes to politics, so I don't mind about a college's reputation on that field. Again, somewhere old and pretty would be nice, but then again everything in Oxford seems to be old and pretty, so I think I'm spoiled for choice on that front

Thanks so much for your help!

Did you go on an open day? planning to?

Thanks for your help, I think I have decided on Queen's

Hello, just wondering which colleges guarantee accommodation for all 3 years? I know St Hughes is one of them..

Hello, just wondering which colleges guarantee accommodation for all 3 years? I know St Hughes is one of them..

Off the top of my head I think the following do:
Worcester
Magdalen
New
Univ (some in North Oxford)
St John's
Christ Church
Hertford
... um - probably some others too ...

Are you an applicant or undergrad there?
I'm wanting to go there too!

I know Merton and New College do. I'm sure there are quite a few others. Trawling through the list might be your only option.

I've graduated. Any questions, feel free - needless to say you couldn't make a better choice

You may regret this!

What is the drama scene like at Worcester?
How's the food?
Is all the first year accommodation in modern or old buildings? When I went to visit the front quad looked ancient but inside it was ultra-swish (I went to Ruskin building- hope I got that right)? Is it mostly self-catered/ensuite?
TQ

Oh yeah we do