Saltasaurus - do you have any feedback or advice about St John's, Oxford? ds1 likes it because he likes the gardens/space, he likes the fact that students live on site for all 4 years, he likes the location (for Science) and the fact that it's not on one of the busiest/tourist streets in Oxford.
We've heard/read that there's little accommodation flexibility at St John's, unlike other colleges, and that because of conference business, students have to clear out/move in very promptly at the end of week 8/start of week 1 and that if you want to stay extra days in noughth week or nineth week, you have to pay extra and you won't necessarily be able to. Have you found this to be a problem?
Hi Roisin. St John's is lovely. The gardens are huge, peaceful and glorious. A couple of the quads are beautiful. The first year accommodation is concrete, brutalist, and hideous, (this is the case for many colleges) but comfortable and cosy inside from what I've seen of it, although not particularly smart or new. No ensuites I don't think.
As others have said, everyone has to move out of their rooms over the holidays at all colleges I think, which is a massive pain, but there is some storage available for bulky items, so DS doesn't bring everything home every time.
I have found the college to be quite flexible, and they offer several weeks free 'vac res' for students who want to stay late or arrive early for term. DS has used this a for a couple of weeks without a problem.
St John's is the wealthiest Oxford college, travel grants etc are available, accommodation is affordable (£3000 last year - some of his friends at other unis paid twice that). They give all students an academic grant of £230 (might be more can't remember) for a tablet books or study materials. Free food is often on offer.
The location is great for the science departments. They do get tourists, but aren't swamped like some of the colleges.