<p>Parisian, as an EU resident you will pay so very much less to go to a UK school than a US one. Plus you got into Christchurch! You get a mini fridge in your room. What more could you want (ok, maybe some heating in the dinning hall. It's arctic. but still pretty)?</p>
<p>Cupcake, are you at Christ Church too? </p>
<p>For the financial part, I know it's better to go to a UK school. But that aside (and I agree it's hard to put it aside) or let's say I have a scholarship, can you tell me a bit more about academic life in Oxford University (or Christ Church if you're familiar)? </p>
<p>US colleges give so much information about their particularities (brochures, websites etc). At Oxford, they don't do that. So for an outsider, apart from the reputation, there is little information. </p>
<p>What do you do on a typical day/week for instance? And more generally, what are my chances of getting into a top graduate school after Oxford? My subject is scientific -- is that Oxford's strong side? </p>
<p>Is there support among students or is it "everyone on their own"? What do you think about the fact that your grade depends solely on how well you do in the final?</p>
<p>Is there a sense of community in the colleges? Do students have a good time (and I don't mean parties and booze, I mean intellectual give and take)? </p>
<p>Please tell me more -- thanks a lot.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Cupcake, are you at Christ Church too?
[/QUOTE]
No, but everyone has been in CC at some point. It's one of the bigger colleges and you are allowed to visit your friends you know! The main point is, the rooms are palatial and the college is rich.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
US colleges give so much information about their particularities (brochures, websites etc). At Oxford, they don't do that. So for an outsider, apart from the reputation, there is little information.
[/QUOTE]
There are loads of Oxford prospectuses (for each colleges, and subjects. plus overall and alternative) and a comprehensive web-site. can you be more specific about what information you cannot find?</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
What do you do on a typical day/week for instance?
[/QUOTE]
I'm a scientist too. Science students tend to have a lot of timetabled time. In the first year probably 12 hours of lectures per week plus 3 afternoons of lab work and 3-4 tutorials. For those tutorials you will have questions or essays to prepare so that may mean another 3-4 hours work for each of these in your own time. Arts students have a much more flexible timetable with much less contact time.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
And more generally, what are my chances of getting into a top graduate school after Oxford?
[/QUOTE]
</p>
<p>What kind of question is that? No, you will never get into any grad school having been to Oxford. If you really believe that going to Oxford is going to damage your future terribly, you obviously don't want to attend, so don't.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
My subject is scientific -- is that Oxford's strong side?
[/QUOTE]
Oh gawd! This old chestnut. Over 800 years cambridge has produced a few more scientists than Oxford, and Oxford has produced a few more who excel in the arts than Cambridge. For some reason this has lead to the impression that Oxford is terrible for science and Cambridge is terrible for arts. That is so ridiculous. terrible compared to what? I've attended both and they are much more similar than different. If you want to do nothing but science night and day, go to Imperial College in London for pure science focus.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Is there support among students or is it "everyone on their own"?
[/QUOTE]
Certain subjects attract more competitive types than others (law and politics mainly) but the whole point of the college system is you end up with a strong group of friends in your college. Sciences are quite sociable anyway because of all the lab classes.
[QUOTE]
What do you think about the fact that your grade depends solely on how well you do in the final?
[/QUOTE]
It doesn't in sciences. You also have a final year project which counts 40% ish, maybe more. I do think you have to be the kind of person who likes exams though.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Is there a sense of community in the colleges?
[/QUOTE]
Yes, very much so. Also everyone joins lots of societies (as in all British universities) for sports and hobbies and so you make friends that way too (I'm sure there will be a French society). I'm in lots of music things, and a charity. Not into sports myself but most people are.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Do students have a good time (and I don't mean parties and booze, I mean intellectual give and take)?
[/QUOTE]
Well I do and I barely drink. It depends who you hang out with. The 8 week term is very intense so there is a work hard, play hard kind of attitude. It certainly can be very stressful at times, but I am quite a relaxed person so it's ok with me.</p>
<p>It sounds to me like you applied either not expecting to get in, or because others pressurised you (teachers or parents?). Now you've got in, you really don't want to attend. If that's the case you'll only be unhappy and it's probably best to go elsewhere. It's your life.</p>
<p>I've just re-read my post from yesterday and I think it sounds very negative! I didn't mean it to come out like that. I just meant to say that if you have your heart set on the US, Oxford isn't going to make you happy. It's a lot of stress to go through if you're heart is not in it. Not to mention expense.</p>
<p>Hello cupcake, your response was very informative and helpful. Yes a little negative at the end but then that's useful too. </p>
<p>You are actually right about your last point. But it's only because I can't really imagine the everyday atmosphere in Oxford, I'm really not familiar with the culture in the UK. Maybe that's why I'm reticent. Fear of the unknown... </p>
<p>In any case, if I will be surrounded by smart people like you, then maybe Oxford IS the place for me. I'm not sure this will be the case in the US. Thank you. I will write again.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
You are actually right about your last point. But it's only because I can't really imagine the everyday atmosphere in Oxford, I'm really not familiar with the culture in the UK. Maybe that's why I'm reticent. Fear of the unknown...
[/QUOTE]
I am sure the culture of the UK is more similar to the culture of France than the US is to France. Did you not go to Oxford for interview? Don't believe that the US is just like the movies, if you haven't been there! English people like buying holiday homes in France. It is something of a status symbol. People will no doubt like to talk to you about this, at length. </p>
<p>As to fear, well remember if you're in England you can go home for a weekend cheaply whenever you like (my sister lives in Brittany in fact. Flights from Southampton airport to Rennes cost about £45 return and take 45 mins). Not the case if you go to the US. </p>
<p>Americans are generally more open than friendly than English people, and Europeans in general. English people can take this badly and find Americans to be "fake" and even scary (I can see what they mean sometimes!). I think this has a lot to do with the fact US accents are used to sell things here. I don't know how French people feel about this. Or at least I am sure you will know more than me.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
In any case, if I will be surrounded by smart people like you, then maybe Oxford IS the place for me. I'm not sure this will be the case in the US. Thank you. I will write again.
[/QUOTE]
I think at any good school there will be lots of smart people., US included There will also be people who are clever, but slack once they get in. There is a certainly a small percentage here who do. Often they are the very wealthy who will never need to get a real job, or know they will go home and work for Daddy. But the vast majority of people are not like that (and those who are are not necessarily unpleasant. They just have different priorities). There will also be people who are party animals wherever you go. I think the fact that Oxford is such an expensive place to live reduces this here though!</p>
<p>Thanks once again for your elaborate reply cupcake. I actually know the US better than the UK. I spent many summers with my totally American cousins! </p>
<p>Now an academic question: do you find the tutorial system at all stifling? I can see the great sides, but in your experience, does having such a small group (often one to one) for a learning environment feel claustrophobic at times? I'm just being the devil's advocate here, splitting hairs. </p>
<p>All I want to say is I appreciate the advantages of the tutorials, have you or your friends experienced any disadvantages?</p>
<p>I just want to point out that I'm a graduate student at Oxford. I've never had an undergraduate tutorial here. In fact I've given a few tutorials to undergrads myself, when my PhD supervisor has been away. I was an undergrad at Cambridge though, so i had many tutorials (known as supervisions there) back then.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Now an academic question: do you find the tutorial system at all stifling?
[/QUOTE]
Obviously not because I've never really considered this possibility till now. See below.
[QUOTE]
I can see the great sides, but in your experience, does having such a small group (often one to one) for a learning environment feel claustrophobic at times? I'm just being the devil's advocate here, splitting hairs.
[/QUOTE]
As a scientist you'll hardly ever be alone. Usually you will have at least 1, possibly 2 other students with you. If you remember you interview, I alwasy found tutorials pretty much like that. An academic discussion. First you ask about any questions from recent lectures that you may have. the you discuss that weeks lectures and any work/questions/essays that you submitted to the tutor previously. </p>
<p>I did once have tutorials with a very quiet girl who hated them! She just didn't want to speak because she was too shy. She actually did very well in her degree, but preferred to self-study than interact. I mean, I am quite a quiet and shy person too, but I have never found the process that intimidating. I think this may also depend on the tutor. One of my friends had a tutor she really despised but she asked to changed and that was allowed, no questions asked (if you are studying a very niche area that might be difficult though). So I can see that for some people tutorials may not work.</p>
<p>I suggest you go to <a href="http://www">www</a>. the student room .co .uk
(remove the spaces) and ask there for more info.</p>