Choosing an Oxford College

Does exeter supply accomodation for the whole 3 years if you want it?
I've heard conflicting info.

French at Oxford -

Brasenose, St Anne's or Worcester?

I'm currently thinking Brasenose. Does anyone do French at any of these? Thanks

I think you have to live out in at least the second year (unless you're the Organ Scholar)

That's what people keep telling me! But in the prospectus - and I just rang them up - -they say accommodation for undergraduates is supplied for the whole 3 years..
Why do people always say otherwise...?

Things could have changed, to be fair. Certainly the people I knew (Organ Scholar aside) had to live out coz the main site was small. Maybe they had some refurbishments that are now finished or have a new accommodation annexe elsewhere or something...

I've just discovered that Google supplies reviews that people have written of the colleges. Some wag has written for Brasenose:

"A shoddy college lacking any of the beauty or charm of its neighbour Lincoln. 82 years younger than Lincoln, Brasenose has been causing trouble ever since it was opened.‎"

I always get the dirtiest/most shocked looks when I tell people I want to apply to Christ Church - am I missing something?

And I often hear that it's 'the most competitive college' - does that even come into it? Am I right in thinking that I'd just be re-allocated if there were that many applications, or am I making a mistake?

It's certainly one of the most popular amongst applicants but it's not the most oversubscribed/the one that receives most applications

You are right in thinking that you'd be reallocated, providing you met the criteria and seemed interesting enough

Which is the most popular?

Mine. Or at least it has had the most applicants the last four years

What about a top 5?

I know it changes yearly, but generally speaking, there must be those that are consistently at the top.

I don't get where a lot of the negative comments about St Hilda's are coming from. Yes, it isn't a 500-year-old centrally located college. But the idea of going there is really growing on me: it's in a beautiful position by the lake; there are some gorgeous Victorian buildings; it doesn't seem snobbish in the least, but there are still some nice traditions like Formal Hall; and I've heard that the library and JDP centre are exceptional. The high rent costs are putting me off, though - and I don't want to feel like I'm out of the main Oxford loop.

My other possibility is Lincoln College, and if I'm being honest I first looked at it because a pupil from my school went there a few years ago and I was told that as a result we had links (not entirely sure how true this is). I like the idea of being in one of the small Turl Street Colleges, halfway down the Norrington table and centrally positioned. Obviously the buildings are beautiful, too. But it seems extremely formal and the rent isn't exactly cheap, either.

I'm really not sure which one to apply to. I've been advised to go for St. Hilda's because it's 'easier'