Cambridge - does it really make no difference which college you apply to?

[C1arity]

Hi, just looking at the stats on the Cambridge website, it does look as if the odds of applying to certain colleges for his subject are more preferable at some colleges than others. I realise the pooling system is a form of moderation, but still.... to what extent should we choose a college based on the stats? You can see that some colleges have much more success at having applicants they are not able to offer direct places to accepted via the pool, while others regularly take from the pool.

@SarahAndQuack sorry name change fail above - I think your definition of “specialise” and mine differs. All Part 1 students have to do the same papers (broadly). You can choose which ones you swap for dissertation and portfolio as opposed to exam, but you still have to cover the same ground. Different story in 3rd year with only 2 compulsory papers and a much broader range of options.

And still, even if you go see someone from another college for your second year dissertation, you are more likely as say an English student, than say, a Medic, to have more of your teaching in college. That’s all I’m trying to say. I didn’t say you’d be “cut off” from anything, just that it’s definitely more of a factor in some subjects than others.

I think the point was that the candidates weren’t equally matched...the implication was (afaik) that less good candidates tried to game the system by applying to lower ranked colleges who were then more likely to take better candidates who had been pooled than ones who had applied direct!

I don't suppose it's anything to do with a different definition of 'specialise'. I'm just pointing out that teaching usually happens across colleges as well as within them, so if you apply to college X because you are fascinated by Dr Y who works on postcolonial feminist lit, you may (or may not) still be able to study postcolonial feminist lit, maybe with Dr Y, even if you're pooled elsewhere.

It's maybe not a very important point, but it is one that a lot of prospective applicants mention as a worry in relation to getting pooled. I may be jumping the gun in thinking it's any part of the picture here. Sorry if so!

The specialisms offered every year are not necessarily in your college - some might be, or perhaps none. Ds roamed round quite a few. He traipsed off to ME for a term. Very nice gardens, apparently. Ds being ds, he called me worried that he wouldn’t be allowed into ME and should he ask for some official paperwork before turning up!

Actually I do believe now OP’s ds would be fine for ME if he says he is a woman (but I’m in the wrong section for this...).

It wouldn't surprise me if that quote about Murray Edwards is true. Way back in the day when I was applying, my school had all oxbridge candidates meet with the school's oxbridge tutor. Strong candidates would be asked "which college would you like to apply to?" and weaker candidates would be asked "have you thought of applying to Newnham or New Hall?"

I used to work in admissions for Cambridge.

College choice does not impact your chance of getting offered a place. Perspective students should view the choice as a place to live first and foremost