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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Cambridge college choice - tactical

277 replies

eggsbenedict23 · 11/09/2023 15:52

Is there any point looking at admission statistics for Cambridge colleges to see where is more likely to get in?

Is it worth choosing colleges tactically or does the pooling system eliminate this need?

My idea is that for Economics Trinity and Kings would be very very popular choices.

OP posts:
TheLeadbetterLife · 13/09/2023 17:41

Oh I didn't use it to get to and from lectures or day to day stuff (you basically can't take a car into the centre of Cambridge at all). And this was twenty years ago, so probably all different now.

whereonthestair · 13/09/2023 18:39

Please don’t bring a car to Cambridge. The traffic is awful, and cycling quicker and generally safe. Back on Colleges, I do know people at the wrong college, and who have changed college, but usually it is due to a disability. Even then the students are generally happy.

Which reminds me do look at tutors and pastoral support, as well as courses.

A comment above asked how much teaching was in your own college - it varies and numbers of academics make a difference so if the subject has 3 economists you may be more likely to see those academics than if they just have one. Also not all colleges gave land economy students, I don’t think Emma does for example. I think they all take economists but haven’t checked.

And look at accommodation and what is provided/available by college if have specific needs. Kings is lovely but some rooms feel like you are a tourist attraction. It is now uncommon not to have bathrooms/ en suite but worth checking. Talk to students at open days and they will tell you.

whereonthestair · 13/09/2023 18:41

Oh and if you want to swim also check where the uni swimming club trains. I think it might be Abbey rather than the more central Parkside, but haven’t checked, but that is definitely a cycle from Selwyn/Robinson/Fitz and off hand would otherwise be a change of buses in the centre.

septembersunrise · 13/09/2023 18:54

Regardless of college, they can join the Cambridge Union which is in the centre near St Johns and meet people from all over. As well as loads of debates and guest speakers, they can hang out there at the bar, get lunch etc. I think it was £120 (??) for membership but that's for life.

Original poster
eggsbenedict23 · 13/09/2023 19:20

I see that at the Oxford union each president takes a year out of studies to run the union?

Is it the same at Cambridge?

OP posts:
Carleslireis · 13/09/2023 19:58

The presidents of OUSU and CUSU (students unions - also each college has its own) spend a year being president and not studying but I think it’s normally at the end of their degree rather than taking a year out in the middle. The Oxford/Cambridge unions are a different thing to the students unions - they are debating societies that also host a lot of other talks and events. For those the presidents are elected termly as a side thing like for other societies.

Original poster
eggsbenedict23 · 13/09/2023 20:20

I know. I see at the Oxford Debating Union. The term presidents each take the academic year out to run the union

OP posts:
Carleslireis · 13/09/2023 20:31

No, both debating societies only elect their presidents for an academic term at a time

Rightthere · 13/09/2023 21:37

whereonthestair · 13/09/2023 18:41

Oh and if you want to swim also check where the uni swimming club trains. I think it might be Abbey rather than the more central Parkside, but haven’t checked, but that is definitely a cycle from Selwyn/Robinson/Fitz and off hand would otherwise be a change of buses in the centre.

This video says most training is at Parkside pool. The Abbey pool is a relatively long way from any of the colleges, so that's helpful.

Angeldelightful · 13/09/2023 21:47

eggsbenedict23 · 13/09/2023 15:59

What happens if you go to girton but can't cycle?

It wouldn’t be ideal tbh

NoNoNoNotMe · 13/09/2023 23:20

eggsbenedict23 · 13/09/2023 15:59

What happens if you go to girton but can't cycle?

It's not uncommon for people to learn to cycle when they arrive in Cambridge, although it would be a good thing to practise at home first. I appreciate that some people can't cycle though, like my DD.

Quite recently the road from the top of Castle Hill to Girton, Huntingdon Road, has had on-road dedicated cycle lanes built. You can cycle from Girton to the West Cambridge site via Eddington on off-road cycle lanes, which might feel safer for a new cyclist. Useful for scientists and engineers whose departments are there.

Original poster
eggsbenedict23 · 14/09/2023 12:21

How do the girton students get back from nights out?

OP posts:
SilkyStuff · 14/09/2023 13:10

My son is thinking of applying for Fitzwilliam college studying maths.
Part of the reason for picking it is it's proximity to the mathematical sciences building.
He also liked the modern accommodation and decent sized kitchens compared to the tiny kitchens we saw in Kings and Trinity (I think).

Obviously it's a 20 minutes walk to the centre of Cambridge but not sure if that's a pro or con.
Does anyone have any other pros or cons of Fitzwilliam?

Disloyal · 14/09/2023 13:25

NoNoNoNotMe · 13/09/2023 23:20

It's not uncommon for people to learn to cycle when they arrive in Cambridge, although it would be a good thing to practise at home first. I appreciate that some people can't cycle though, like my DD.

Quite recently the road from the top of Castle Hill to Girton, Huntingdon Road, has had on-road dedicated cycle lanes built. You can cycle from Girton to the West Cambridge site via Eddington on off-road cycle lanes, which might feel safer for a new cyclist. Useful for scientists and engineers whose departments are there.

Show quote history

How easy is it to buy bikes once there? My daughter isn't a strong cyclist but says her college is 30 mins from lectures and she needs to cycle.

Her current bike is too small and my husband said she can buy one at Cambs and then leave it there over holidays. He does not want to buy and transport one from home.

My daughter is worried she won't have time to look for and buy a bike when she arrives as her timetable is quite full-on.

Do you have any advice? Sorry for such a specific niche question!

Diospyros · 14/09/2023 13:32

I would assume they share an Uber for £15, which is what my DC did when they were living nearby as a postgrad. There are hop on, hop off PAYG electric scooters and bikes in the city, like in London. Probably not a great idea if you have been drinking though...

During the day there is a subsidised university bus that costs £2 a day for students and university staff for as many trips as you want that runs from Eddington via most of the university sites and the main railway station to Addies but I think it stops before the pubs close, as do the normal buses that stop near the college. It's about 15-20 minutes walk from Girton to Eddington though.

Diospyros · 14/09/2023 13:38

There are several independent bike shops, a Halfords and a Decatholon, @Disloyal. Your DD might want to check out the universal bus route too (the subsidised university bus). There are also hop on, hop off e-bikes and e-scooters that you can hire via the Voi app but I don't think they are cheap.

Original poster
eggsbenedict23 · 14/09/2023 13:59

SilkyStuff · 14/09/2023 13:10

My son is thinking of applying for Fitzwilliam college studying maths.
Part of the reason for picking it is it's proximity to the mathematical sciences building.
He also liked the modern accommodation and decent sized kitchens compared to the tiny kitchens we saw in Kings and Trinity (I think).

Obviously it's a 20 minutes walk to the centre of Cambridge but not sure if that's a pro or con.
Does anyone have any other pros or cons of Fitzwilliam?

All the best to Ur DS. Where else has be applied for maths?

OP posts:
ofteninaspin · 14/09/2023 15:00

I would recommend getting a bike before arriving in Cambridge.

DS had his decent bike stolen whilst at Cambridge. Couldn’t find a second hand bike for sensible money anywhere, didn’t have much time to look and depended on cycling to get to tennis training sessions. DH brought up his very old bike from home and it stayed in college in the vacations.

Original poster
eggsbenedict23 · 14/09/2023 15:05

Thanks all PPs.

Just wanted to reiterate that when I meant about college choices it was about looking at seats to applications ratio and well deciding what would be easier to get into

But genuinely do appreciate all the advice about different colleges and their amenities.

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 14/09/2023 15:30

My daughter has very shaky bike skills and if she got in to Cambridge will walk. But she is looking at colleges close to the two areas of her course, with Jesus being the furthest away (18min), Newnham/Selwyn being fall out of bed close). As she commuted up to an hour for school walking/tube 18 min feels quite close!
We will see how she feels about it all tomorrow!

NoNoNoNotMe · 14/09/2023 15:33

@SilkyStuff ,

My son is thinking of applying for Fitzwilliam college studying maths.
Part of the reason for picking it is it's proximity to the mathematical sciences building.

There may be many advantages to Fitzwilliam, but I wouldn’t have said closeness to the CMS (Maths dept) was one of them.

Robinson and Selwyn are closer, and he’d pass Churchill on the way from Fitz. Magdalene is also close, and none of these colleges involve going up Castle Hill.

Girtonian · 14/09/2023 15:35

OP, I mean this with respect because I can see you are driven by a great deal of affection for your son

I would concentrate on supporting him to make his application the strongest it can possibly be. If UCAS still has a personal statement well written, intelligent, no typos. Read up on the subject, listen to podcasts, get some real world experience or visit something linked to the course. Talk about this in the application. Show enthusiasm for Cambridge and his subject.

If invited for interview. Take him shopping to pick a good outfit so he feels confident on the day. Help him to sort out travel so he's not late. Consider getting a hotel in Cam for the night before to get a good night's sleep. Help him to practice for his interview - can he have a friend of yours give a practice interview? Does he do anything like avoid eye contact or fidget which could be off putting?

Help him to shine with all the skills he has so the college knows who he is and doesn't pass up a good opportunity because he doesn't communicate his abilities and enthusiasm to the fullest. If they don't want a great candidate at his best, their loss.

Don't try to game the stats. It's not predictable. You won't be able to work out a cheat code that no one else can see.

Original poster
eggsbenedict23 · 14/09/2023 15:38

@Girtonian "don't try and game the stats" thanks you for your answer. That's what I wanted to know.

Will relay all this to DS

OP posts:
NoNoNoNotMe · 14/09/2023 15:41

@SilkyStuff , on reflection, Trinity College accommodation in Burrell’s Field is even closer to the CMS and the kitchens look adequate there. Not for first years, but afterwards.

That link is quite interesting generally in giving options and prices for accommodation. I don’t know how other Cambridge colleges compare.

Disloyal · 14/09/2023 15:55

Diospyros · 14/09/2023 13:38

There are several independent bike shops, a Halfords and a Decatholon, @Disloyal. Your DD might want to check out the universal bus route too (the subsidised university bus). There are also hop on, hop off e-bikes and e-scooters that you can hire via the Voi app but I don't think they are cheap.

Thank you for this info.

Her brother is at Cambridge and says the buses are terrible. I would prefer her to get the bus really.