How to choose an Oxbridge college

[PrincessOfPreschool]

DD and DS2 are twins in Y12. One wants to apply to Cambridge and the other to Oxford. DH and I went to uni but have no experience at all (or know anyone who does) of the college system and no idea at all of how to choose a college. I saw someone on here talking about how the college even affects offers. Is the course the same wherever you go? Are certain colleges stronger in certain subjects?

DD is booked for the Cambridge open day but we wouldn't even know what we're looking for, to be honest. Both are in state schools. Can anyone help me?

DS and I visited various Oxford colleges last year and didn't have to pay for any of them, including Magdalen and Christ Church. We were a bit nervous about asking but the porters were very friendly.

DS (Y12 atm) has chosen a college on the basis of how much money it has. Seems reasonable to me.

I asked everyone I knew who went to Oxford what college they went to and why, and the universal response was 'it doesn't really make that much of a difference.'

My son (Year 13) did exactly the same and applied to St John's for medicine. He was pooled after the interviews and got an offer from Christ Church.

Great advice here.

At Oxford (don’t know about Cambridge) each college has links to a local authority or region, which might be a good place to start https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/access-oxford/regional-outreach

Apologies if this has already been shared but DD found the student union guides helpful. Here's the Oxford one https://www.oxfordsu.org/advice/college-information-tool/
We found a good one for Cambridge too but I can't find the link.
I think a lot of it is about gut feeling. Also think about facilities, accommodation, libraries, proximity to relevant faculty etc.
Try to visit as many as possible to get a feel.