UCL over Imperial and Oxford?

[JulietOnTheMoon]

DS got an offer from UCL, Bristol, KCL, Imperial and Oxford. Currently his first choice is UCL.

It's him who goes, so obviously he should choose where he wants to go. But people seem to think DS would choose Oxford if not Imperial, and UCL would be a good back up.

Their reaction made me start this thread, just to collect more information from those who may know the differences and values of those universities. And with all the information and knowledge, I would like to chat with him and give him a chance to rethink before he makes a concrete decision.

Any words would be greatly appreciated.

I used to work with someone who chose a Sussex offer over a Cambridge offer (for the fun of Brighton). Did her PhD and postdoc at Cambridge.

Just to add I know someone who went to Oxford, hated it, dropped out, then went to Keele to do Pharmacy, and loved it. Now working as a Pharmacist. Oxford I'm sure is amazing, but not for everyone.

But you found this out by trial and error, and found your path that way. That decision makes sense
Had you made a decision based on your GF or BF at 17y.o. - it'd be a very different situation. NO?

We know that people's brains do not fully mature until after 20. And teenagers are notorious for not being able to be rational, and make short term decisions based on all kinds of wrong reasons - peer pressure included.

So - this is where parents come in with experience and perspective

DS seems to be leaning towards Imperial, and thinking of having UCL as insurance. Still no desire to go to Oxford, which I am fine with. I wanted to understand the demerits of turning down Oxford (and I still do), and I know some posters kindly explained them, but I still can't get that. Maybe you only realise once one starts working? By the way, I don't think we have reverse snobbery. Both DS and I loved what we saw at Oxford's open day.

Great news, OP. Imperial vs Oxford is largely a matter of individual taste.

I did chemistry at Oxford (and subsequently did a PhD at Imperial College). DH did both his undergrad (biochemistry) and PhD at Imperial.

Having a degree from Oxford has opened so many doors for me. This has persisted for much longer than I could ever have anticipated, and still seems relevant even now (30 years later).

Imperial is good, but not in the same league. DH has a good career, but I’m earning 3x as much as he is.

I’m a lecturer at Oxford and also think it would be a shame to choose UCL! Our students are so lucky. It costs us far more to educate them than they pay — the college endowments subsidize the extra teaching. Rent is also subsidized very heavily. But the main thing is the teaching - tutors who really know each student properly. My colleague who teaches physics begins each year by inviting her 7 or so new first years to her house for afternoon tea!

I have lived as an adult in central London and it was a drag other than a brief period when I was in my 20s and in finance, with a massive take-home salary and friends all living nearby. As a student, I imagine it must be miserable - all the things you could do that would be great financially out of reach. Oxford is comparatively so small and cheap, the entire city geared towards student needs.

Your dd would be an idiot - sorry - to turn down Oxford.

One of my young relatives is desperate to go to Imperial for her Masters when she could easily stay on at Cambridge. Oxford and Cambridge are very lovely and have obvious qualities that no other universities do but it can get very wearisome living in the bubble. I know other students who have not applied to Oxford or Cambridge and have had Imperial as their top choice because of the lifestyle vibe being so very different.

My daughter did her undergraduate degree and masters degree at UCL and she loved it.

I agree with others that not to go to Oxford is quite silly as it is a totally unique experience in many ways and an experience of a life time like no other. The main reason seems to be wanting to stay in London. Please be aware Oxford terms are 3x8 weeks which means students are at home on average 28 out of 52 weeks.

Also agree he shouldn’t turn down Oxford. I went to a London uni and Cambridge so have experience of both (similar) options. Oxford is preferable at undergrad because:

1. tutorial system means 1-1 or 1-2 in depth teaching, weekly practise in explaining and defending ideas orally which is hugely valuable vs impersonal lecture halls and less frequent contact time in larger groups
2. college system for full degree gives opportunities to live and socialise with students across subjects - much more student-focused than living at home with parents - much more fun
3. loads more financial support at Oxbridge and uni/college specific prizes/grants/opportunities
4. the Oxford name will open doors whether he stays in science or leaves it. Obviously the others also impressive but less so.

Put simply the undergrad experience at every uni in the Uk apart from Oxbridge is more or less the same, just different flavours. It is all the things above, plus the weight of 1000 yrs of traditions and history that seeps through everything at Oxford from buildings to little old school ways of doing things, teaching, exams, rankings, faculty interactions, sport etc, however annoying, it is plainly a experience no money can buy.

This is totally insane.

Maybe he's thinking it'll be easier to do well in UCL ? I can understand that thinking tbh.

Oxford would be cheaper, and have more funding, college dependant

Hasn’t he already started by now? This is an old thread

Thread is ancient. Would be lovely if OP told us the outcome but that never seems to happen ….

I'm with the pick Oxford vote. I am a UCL humanities graduate (1980s) and regard it as the experience that really shaped me more than any other. When I went, as an Cambridge reject, I had no idea it was prestigious.

My DD graduated from Oxford last year. Her boyfriend from home went too, something I was concerned about but I kept quiet. They split up at the beginning of year 2 and things got very messy. As others have said, London is easily accessible from Oxford. Not only will he be able to visit London, his GF will be able to visit Oxford. The relationship will endure if it's strong. Despite the intensity of the terms, she has done a whole range of other things, possible because everything is close at hand - sport and music primarily for her.

The terms are short (eight weeks). In your shoes, I would be saying to DS: 'The top thinkers globally in your subject have picked you to study alongside them and others as passionate as you about chemistry for three years in an ancient, revered institution that is world-renowned. I don't want you to put yourself in the position of looking back in years to come and feel regret for not taking up an opportunity that is offered to very, very few. What are the risks? There's only one: that you really don't like it. But if that happens - and the odds on it doing so are low - you can move to another university.'

Oops.