Picking colleges for Cambridge and Durham

[Londonbridge21]

I’m going to apply to both of the above unis for law. How do I pick a college at each? They all look great! I am sociable, don’t mind whether catered or not and love my netball. I also quite like drama - behind the scenes production not acting. Any suggestions would be great!

Absolutely. Everyone is undyingly loyal to their college. I chose Clare basically because it was so beautiful and there was a really friendly porter when I visited. There are some differences e.g. do you want big or small, old or less old, central or a bit further out; but you are almost guaranteed to love wherever you choose.

Re Cambridge, Newnham is lovely. Absolutely beautiful grounds, and still central but set off the tourist trail so you don’t have to deal with being photographed every time you step outside. Fab social life and sports teams.

Best of luck for your application!

As a PP said, the ADC in Cambridge is where it's at for learning about backstage. Lots of backstage stuff is done by a town group called The Penguin Club; they are a mine of knowledge and worth looking up. Working backstage is such fun!

Most of the university backstage stuff is done by current students. The ADC has a weekly mailing list - CUADCTechies - which is full of student shows and vacancies. The ADC has weekly workshop hours and many training sessions. There’s so much student theatre to be involved in, and at least some of it welcomes Anglia Ruskin students as well.

There’s a list of college theatre societies here (scroll down).

The Penguin Club mostly works on town shows. I can only see a couple of university groups there, and none since 2019.

Newnham is also very close to the Law Faculty.

@ImATheatrePenguingood point! I’d forgotten that Newnham is right opposite the law faculty.

I didn’t mean to imply that undergraduates can’t join the Penguin Club. They would be made most welcome, but most of the shows Penguins work on are outside university terms so most undergraduates aren’t in Cambridge then. Either that or during exams.

Durham - Collingwood

Forget netball. Take up korfball. Much more exciting and social.

My DD is at Durham and luckily got her first choice - St John’s, which is on the Bailey in a series of listed buildings. There’s no guarantee what college you will get but they allocate before you have to choose to firm if it makes that much of a difference to your decision. The college does make up a big part of your socialising and identity while there.
Go to an open day and visit them. Where your subject is taught may make a difference too.