St Cross College, Oxford- Will i have fun there?

I recenty heard i got into St Cross College, Oxford to read for the MPhil in International Relations. I was pooled there after Magdalen turned down my application.

I know Oxford quite well, but have never heard anything about St Cross, which concerns me a little. I know in part this is because it is a graduate college, but i want to go to a college with a vibrant social scene and sense of community. Because St Cross is small, graduate, and fairly new, i am worried it will lack in these departments, vis-a-vis some of the more 'traditional' undergrad/grad colleges.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom or comfort, or any information on what the college is like/its reputation?

Any info appreciated!

Cheers,

Claire

Reply 1

WhatFreshHell?

2

I only know one graduate student at Oxford, and there at St John's, but I think as a graduate your social life is even less dependent on your college than as an undergraduate (this is what they told me, anyway, I'll just repeat it for you).
For graduates it's unlikely you'll be taught by people in your college, and if you are, you'll meet people at lots of different colleges coming to be taught by the same person, and that can be a route into a bigger, more "vibrant" college. Also, graduates normally, having already done the whole uni thing, know what they're into, i.e. this person was very into politics, and hence spent a lot of time getting to know people, both grad and undergrad, through the various political extra-curricular opportunities Oxford offers (eg the union, the labour/tory/libdem... club, CND, Greenpeace, wahtever). Also, St Cross is quite/very central, so it'll be really easy to get to know people outside college.

And if all else fails, I gather that if you row then you spend your whole time rowing or working, and that forms your social life.

This is just what I heard second hand, so dont take it as gospel. But I think Oxford's too small a town to be too daunting socially (as opposed to London; I know people who've went there and hated it, because its so hard to break into the social world... apparently!)

Reply 2

Little Kitten

Fret ye not, St. Cross is generally considered to be a nice college. Because it's a small grad college there's no real segregation between students and fellows and both groups get an equal say in certain decision making processes, like college food, which has got to be a good thing. Apparently there's a good sense of community there as well. Don't know about the vibrancy of the social scene, but it is right in the centre of town, so activity is never far away. Also their bar has a good reputation and is one of the very few places in Oxford where you can get a decent apple schnapps.

Reply 3

Lutricia

I met two grad students from St Cross at one of our non-bop parties (held by third years who seemed to know plenty of St Cross people incidentally), they were both very nice and they said that they'd usually socialise with other grad students and people from other colleges, so don't think that you'll only have the St Cross people to socialise with :smile:

.

Reply 4

ClaireLeigh

OP

Hi all,

thanks for your words of wisdom. I am definitely starting to feel more positive about it, and having done a bit more research St Cross seems to have a lot going for it. There is another thread on this site on the same topic, funnily enough, and there the college is described as central, beautiful, friendly and informal, all which suit me down to the ground. Only down side seems to be a real lack of accomadation places for 1st years, which isnt ideal..

More thoughts on St Cross welcome!

Claire

Reply 5

Lutricia

ClaireLeigh

Hi all,

thanks for your words of wisdom. I am definitely starting to feel more positive about it, and having done a bit more research St Cross seems to have a lot going for it. There is another thread on this site on the same topic, funnily enough, and there the college is described as central, beautiful, friendly and informal, all which suit me down to the ground. Only down side seems to be a real lack of accomadation places for 1st years, which isnt ideal..

More thoughts on St Cross welcome!

Claire

It's quite close to the science buildings too :smile:

, oh and its very discreet/hidden away I'd walked past it at least ten times before I first knew what it actually was :p:

! The girls I met from there were very nice though, if everyone there is like them you'll have a great time.

Reply 6

Drogue

19

There's a social life everywhere. I have a friend doing a 4th year at Blackfriars, a (Dominican?) PPH. He lives with 2 of the IMsoc girlies, and has some of the best parties I've been too in Oxford.

St Cross College, Oxford- Will i have fun there?

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