There's something I'm not getting at all. So I managed to get accepted to Oxford (postgrad) and after that, I'm supposed to get a college. They just "forward" your application, nothing else to do but I managed to get rejected from the two colleges I chose semi-randomly based on how nice the building looked, and as a foreignlad I'm wondering what's the point of it, besides cheaper accommodation.
>I'm wondering what's the point of it, besides cheaper accommodation.
I'd say college choice matters much more as an undergrad mainly because much of your teaching and support services are organised through college rather than your department/faculty. As a postgrad you have more freedom to have as much or little to do with college as you like - some/many colleges offer postgrads accommodation either on-site or off and you can choose to eat in hall, use the bar and MCR (grad common room) facilities. On the other hand there's nothing to stop you living in private accommodation and being more self-contained, in which case your choice of college only matters insofar as dealing with admin matters.
Obviously, the old colleges with the pretty buildings and central locations receive a greater share of applications so they often reject perfectly good candidates on that basis. If you plan on living in college and using student facilities then I would strongly recommend visiting a few colleges as the facilities can vary considerably - and as you mention, so does the rent they charge. Otherwise if you don't want to have much to do with college and just focus on your faculty, choose one of the modern colleges on the outskirts of town as they're much less likely to reject you.
Out of interest, are you starting a Master's or PhD?
>>5641 One more thing I forgot to metion - as part of college facilities make sure to check out the library if you intend to do any work in there (probably more important if you're taking a taught Master's versus a research Master's/PhD). Most college libraries will have a broadly similar selection of books but some of the older colleges' libraries can be rather dark and dingy. Also ask about the opening hours, many but not all are open 24 hours per day which is useful if you like working late.
>>5641 Colleges also often have a particular focus reflected in the staff attached to the college and exclusive-to-one-college societies and grants. The resulting prestige of attending one partiuclar college is a valuable asset when pursuing a career in some niche fields, a well known example being King's College Organ Scholar.
>>5641 Well, if I get rejected from this last one too I'm stuck with the modern ones already. Everything else has FULL written next to its name. I'd rather not have to end up renting privately as it seems to cost shitloads more.
>>5644 Yeah Oxford is second only to London in terms of rent prices. I wouldn't necessarily be disheartened on being 'stuck' with a modern college - they might lack prestige and beautiful old buildings but they quite often have better quality facilities and a lower proportion of insufferable twats so it's swings and roundabouts.
I'm jealous, it's a really beautiful place and the rooms are spacious. It's quiet, on a bus route, easy walking distance from both the town centre and restaurants on Cowley Road, surrounded by fields. You've lucked out.
>>5741 I was told that they only have 9 ensuite rooms which are prioritised for those with disabilities and for those with prestigious scholarships (which I took as their way of saying NOT YOU). Now I'm really autistic about sharing a bathroom and whatnot so I might just pay up to get a flat elsewhere to avoid it. Or maybe I'll get over it, we'll see.
Well, the college didn't give me a spot and the letting agent I spoke to said the only central property they had was available on 30th of november while I'll be flying in next week
Homeless, eh? Just get yourself some dry shampoo and give your balls a rinse in the public toilets each morning. It's only a couple of months, you dandy.
>>5895 Flying in from where?
The backpacker's hostel by the station isn't a bad place as far as hostels go. I know a lad who got a room in less than three days of looking just over a fortnight ago, shouldn't be too bad if you're proactive about it.
>>5898 >>5897 >>5896 The very day I posted that, I got an e-mail from the college saying I was given a room from the waitlist. Now I'm happily posting from the hall room and not bitching about how it is 30 minutes to where my lectures are and how the bed is squeaky and how I have to share a bathroom.
This is a good start, even though I'll probably have to spend the year resisting the urge to pee in the sink instead of putting on pants and walking all the way down the corridor.
>>5904 Addendum: Apparently they don't give rooms in the nice main college site to graduate students, so I got shipped off to the edge of Norham Gardens. Bit far away from everything.
I can safely say that after actually going there, being part of a college and graduating I still don't understand its function and can't explain it to anyone.
