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Original poster

Suggest to me an Oxford college?

71 replies

peplos · 08/10/2018 23:57

DS is following in my footsteps and will apply to read Classics. I went to the other place, but he is dead set on a larger town, so Oxford.

Can anyone suggest some colleges he visit when we get there?

He tends to like older architecture, he is quite studious (at the moment). If it could have cheaper rents, then we’d be happier!

OP posts:
itssquidstella · 09/10/2018 15:59

St John's!

HingleMcCringleberry · 09/10/2018 16:28

public.tableau.com/views/UniversityofOxford-CollegeSuccessRates2017/CollegeSuccessRateswithCommentary?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&:showTabs=y&:showVizHome=no

It's a weird one to read. I'm no statistician, so my interpretation is probably wrong - but it looks like St John's candidates ultimately aren't really Oxford material, as (for the last 3 year average) not many extra candidates get accepted by the university. Compare New College - 22 applicants, sorry guys, we only have space for 6 of you, but you 5, you're Oxford material, so let's see where you can be squeezed in.

goodbyestranger · 09/10/2018 16:48

Hingle me neither but the stats indicate that - this is across all subjects - that broadly the same percentage of applicants to each college get accepted university wide.

goodbyestranger · 09/10/2018 16:51

public.tableau.com/views/UniversityofOxford-CollegeSuccessRates2017/CollegeSuccessRateswithCommentary?:embed=y&:display_count=yes&:showTabs=y&:showVizHome=no

They certainly don't suggest much scope for gaming by applying to the less popular colleges at any rate.

HingleMcCringleberry · 09/10/2018 17:01

Wow, OK, that table is super clear. Go for the one you like and hope for the best.

goodbyestranger · 09/10/2018 17:10

Yes I think that's got to be right Hingle.

pitterpatterrain · 09/10/2018 17:13

Wadham!

Bekabeech · 09/10/2018 17:21

The Admissions website has a questionnaire thing to help you choose your college - it seemed quite good to me, and suggested some good alternatives.

(I do feel I should start to slate St John's just in case my DD wants to apply in a few years...)

HingleMcCringleberry · 09/10/2018 17:44

peplos has left the building.

If I were to reframe my original advice for when your DS visits Oxford:

Check which colleges offer Classics.
Choose some contrasting colleges to visit: big/small, old/new, central/Outer Rim.
Have lunch at the Cherwell Boathouse.
Choose Univ.

Per pitterpatterrain Wadham has an awesome bar and a legendary queer bop (I think this has been rebranded as QueerFest now).

wurzelburga · 09/10/2018 19:39

Wadham is a building site and will be for the next three years...

Old JCR building being demolished and the back quad transformed into a construction site. Bikes parked in the fellows gardens....

I suspect it will lead to a drop in applications over the next couple of years....

PantTwizzler · 09/10/2018 19:45

Thanks for the table Hingle. For all my extensive googling (and Oxford degree, LOL) I couldn't find this on my own. I'm glad to see that the chances of acceptance for DD's chosen course are very roughly equal for each college (ie she hasn't shot herself in the foot by a last-minute change of heart re college...).

PantTwizzler · 09/10/2018 19:46

I mean thanks goodbyestranger. Soz.

PantTwizzler · 09/10/2018 19:47

Right first time. That'll teach me to hop on MN when I should be serving the supper.

HingleMcCringleberry · 09/10/2018 20:18

PantTwizzler it was a team effort! Actually Amateurish put me on to it, so let’s give it up for Amateurish! What’s your DD hoping to read?

pitterpatterrain · 09/10/2018 21:39

Ah that’s true wurzel- I forgot, there was some kind of celebratory ‘last bop’ that I couldn’t make it to

Still a fab college though Wink

PantTwizzler · 09/10/2018 21:58

Classics. It’s a long shot.
(Did I read elsewhere that you are /were a classicist Hingle? I kept suggesting to dd that she bung some Latin in her personal statement. “Mirabile dictu” etc. Thankfully she didn’t take me up on it 😬)

HingleMcCringleberry · 09/10/2018 22:12

I am indeed a classicist! I think your DD is a smart cookie to have kept it in English, but I applaud the sentiment.

Why do you think it’s a long shot? That is to say, as the table shows, there’s not a bad chance of getting in for Classics, as these things go. Regardless, Oxford or not, another Classics graduate in the offing, brilliant!

Witchend · 09/10/2018 22:15

Corpus has a good number of places for Classics.

PantTwizzler · 09/10/2018 22:52

Long shot because, though bright with great GCSE grades and predicted AAA at A level, she barely reads anything beyond Snapchat and Metro. And doesn’t like studying, by her own admission.

PantTwizzler · 09/10/2018 22:54

But it’s nice to read a positive comment, regardless.

HingleMcCringleberry · 09/10/2018 23:18

Ah! But, let’s be honest, who likes studying? It’s the worst! I’ve just spent 4 years studying for an accountancy qualification. It sucked!

But does she like learning? Does she like exploring new things? Does she like being challenged by peers or teachers, to adopt a position and then defend it, or better yet have her opinion changed? Being surrounded by bright, capable people? If she gets her flow from any of that, it could still be a goer. The studying bit is the small price you have to pay to get to the really good stuff! The reading thing may need work, I grant you, but maybe she’s not found the area to set her alight? Maybe her set texts at school were duds?

I guess... what does she like about Classics? Being able to communicate that clearly, if and when she’s called for interview, and with palpable enthusiasm, is what’s going to help turn a long shot into a distinct possibility, if, as you say, she already has the talent.

BasiliskStare · 10/10/2018 01:33

DS - who got a decent degree this year ( as did quite a few of his friends ) and whose lovely old pretty college dropped like a stone from upper mid table to down with the fishes on the Norrington table , has declared the Norrington table "statistically insignificant give the numbers and cohort" Grin For context - he studied History , not Maths.

My more serious point would be go and look at a few and see where DS might feel happy and feels congenial. Also do accept as so many people say - you might be pooled so accept if you are going to shake hands on any Oxford college if it is offered. DS's friend did & loved it.

Things DS felt helped - 3 years university accommodation in / near to college - 2 sittings in Hall - made it easier to not have to rush out to make something if missed the sitting . That said he missed out on the deer - no Deer Park he Smile His accommodation was all one price but by ballot ( 1st two years anyway ) . Another friend went to a college where you could opt for a more or less expensive room & friend liked that.

DS has 2 friends doing Classics - 1 Queen's and 2 Univ ( which I will always love Hingle because of Percy the tortoise & indeed v friendly students on the open day - very very welcoming)

HingleMcCringleberry · 10/10/2018 11:27

3rd place for Univ. An honourable placing.

BasiliskStare - I'm delighted the open day students were welcoming, always good to hear they're keeping up good standards!

mateysmum · 10/10/2018 12:00

Where was St Anne's Tortellini Tortoise? No mention at all.

I feel tortoise racing prowess should be a key criteria for college choice.

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