Hi. I'm applying for a BCL for next year and am interested in people's views about choosing the right College. As you can only make two selections it's important to choose the right one for your level of application.
I'm unlikely to get into Magdalen/ Balliol as I don't have a medal but I have a good 1st class degree and I was in the top 10 in my year at a prestigious Australian University. I also have good (but not fantastic) community service.
I'm aware that if you don't get your first choice, often your second choice college will be already full and therefore you will get sent out in the pool. So it's important to nominate a first choice college you're likely to get into.
Does anyone have any views about which Colleges might be good choices for someone who would probably be in the top half of the applications submitted in terms of marks etc but not at the top top? For instance, would it be too high to aim for somewhere like New, University or Brasenose?

Hi Fugito
That's a tricky question as it all appears to be a bit of a gamble. Perhaps you could consider some of the smaller but good law colleges like Lincoln or Keble - does anyone else have any thoughts?

Unlike the BA, teaching of the BCL is centralised and not conducted through the colleges. To this extent, which college you graduated from is less relevant. Having said that, it is not uncommon that, when told that you graduated from Oxford, you be asked the question 'from which college did you graduate?'. Also, your BCL degree certificate will indicate your college affiliation. If these factors are important to you, then choosing the 'right' college would become relevant.

Assuming that the BCL candidate selection process is still the same, this is how it is done. The Faculty will first consider whether to accept you into the BCL. Once you pass the first stage, your application is passed on to colleges of your choice. If you are not successful at any of your choices, you will be placed in a 'common pool' as you have correctly pointed out, to be considered by the remaining colleges. I am actually one such case.

You may be pleased to note that a significant fraction of Magdelene BCLers are Aussies (second only to the Brits if I am not mistaken).

Hi again. I had some people recently suggest that Herford or Merton might be good options.

Alternatively, does anyone on this board have views on University and New Colleges? I'm not sure how likely you would be to get into those as opposed to say Magdelen or Bailiol. Assuming M & B are unlikely given their popularity - would you get into any of the above?

ultimately oxonian is right. i believe college choice doesnt matter if one can get into the courses one wants to enroll, one can be tutored by good tutors, and if the accommodation and food are decent. and equally important, if one can be happy, authentic, respected and non-conformist (if one wishes), regardless of one's nationality, ethnicity, social status and academic pedigree.

Almost all the Magdalen BCLers are Australian. A couple don't have a medal. But if you don't want to risk it:
- Keble is very good for law and has a great reputation.
- New is very good too, as is Univ. they could be worth a try.
- Lincoln has a very strong rep for law, although the disadvantage is that unlike the above colleges, its MCR and social committee aren't that great. Not a very social college. Probably the best food though!
- LMH has the greatest number of BCLers and a great MCR/social life but it is a newer college and a bit further away from the centre of town than the others.

If it were me, and I was really worried, I'd put down Keble or Lincoln, because both are terrific for law but easier to get into than Balliol etc. If I wanted more of a social time, i'd put down Keble.

If I wanted to take a bit more of a risk, but less of a risk than Magdalen, Merton or Balliol, I'd put down New or Univ.

Does anyone have any insight about Harris Manchester College?

And what about Exeter College?