Hardest Colleges in Oxford to Get Admitted Into?

Hello everyone! With Oxford on my wishlist, I've been hearing a lot about how tough some of their colleges are to break into. Can anyone shed more light on this? What makes these colleges challenging to get accepted into?

Hi there! Firstly, it's key to understand that admission to Oxford is based on your academic ability and potential, rather than what college you apply to. That being said, some colleges can seem "harder" to get into simply because they receive more applicants, particularly for certain popular subjects.

For example, the smaller colleges like Mansfield and Lady Margaret Hall, which take fewer students, often have a higher ratio of applicants to places, making them appear more competitive. However, it's important to remember that these statistics can skew perceptions of competitiveness because they don't factor in the redistribution of applicants through the "pool" system. If you apply to a college that is oversubscribed for your course, you may be pooled, where other colleges with fewer applicants for the same course have a chance to look at your application.

On the other hand, some of the traditionally "prestigious" colleges like Christ Church and Magdalen tend to attract a lot of applicants because of their reputation, making them seem more selective. But again, keep in mind the pooling system.

Another factor to consider is the type of courses offered by the colleges. Some colleges might not offer certain subjects, making those colleges impossible to get into for those courses.

In conclusion, what makes a college "hard" to get into can often be more about perception, applicants-to-spots ratio, and choice of course rather than the college being inherently more difficult to get admitted into. I would advise choosing a college that you feel would be a good fit for you - considering factors like location, accommodation, atmosphere, and the specific tutors who will be teaching your subject - rather than simply going for what seems the most or least competitive.