Hi awojc,

Balliol is a pretty popular choice for BCL students, although I'm not entirely sure why (even though I listed it as my second choice). It could be a reputation thing, or simply the fact that the Megaron is Oxford's only bar run on The Honour System. Also, Holywell Manor (the primary grad residence) is right across the street from the Law Faculty.

Unfortunately I don't know much about college life at Balliol. I made my choices based on food and accommodation and, looking back with hindsight, I'm not sure what if anything I would have done differently.

Best of luck!

Paddy

Thanks PADDY.

Hey AlvinSee,

Yes, I'm presently at Merton doing a DPhil.

All the best,

Paddy

Hi AlvinSee,

The price of accommodation at Merton is fairly reasonable compared with other colleges. I believe grad students next year should expect to pay somewhere in the neighborhood of 4000-4500 pounds for the full 12 months.

While the quality of the accommodation is highly variable within Merton (ranging from single rooms to one bedroom mini-suites to shared houses - all assigned randomly in your first year), even the worst that Merton has to offer is still better than most of the grad accommodation at other colleges. Perhaps this is why no one ever seems to leave their rooms here...

Happy to answer any other questions.

Cheers,

Paddy

With regard to Cambridge Ms Wade told me that I would hopefully have a decision by the end of this week. However it's past 6 o'clock so I doubt that will happen! Next week folks! It is nerve wracking but I have been accepted to UCL and LSE for criminal law so that eases the pain to a great extent. Any thoughts on which of the 2 i should take in the likely event Cam say thanks but no thanks old chap?

I know this might sound strange considering the posts made in this forum: But has Cambridge Law Faculty already sent out offers? My Status in CamSIS is still on "applicant" and when I called the Graduate Board today I was informed that no offers have been made by Cambridge Law Faculty so far.

Can anyone clear me up?

thx

I don't know much about the BCL itself but I thought I could share some info about the colleges...

Merton- It's a very nice college albeit quite small (I myself, so prefer smaller colleges). Rooms are huge in comparison to other colleges but since priority is given to undergrads, it's very likely that even if you're accepted into the college, you'll have to find your own accommodation outside college grounds... or stay in one of Merton's housing accom. Mertons has it's reputation of academic excellence. Some friends of mine were under a bit of a pressure when they were there... but it's personal preference I think. May be you'd like it.

Balliol- Small as well but a very nice college. City center so you don't walk as far to the Law Department. Some do say because many public school students go there, the college might not be the most friendly on to be in... but I myself has never had a bad experience with Balliol. Very nice chapel as well.

Keble- Very different. Your either love it or hate it; I belong to the first category. It's next to the University Park as well so it's very nice in the summer. Keble's grounds itself is nice, one of the nicer larger colleges imo. Drawback is that it is so far away. People there are nice as well.

Worcester- Nice college, nice garden, medium sized. Out of the 4 I probably would choose this one. Central enough so you could walk everywhere but it's a bit hidden so not many tourists visits as well. Very nice people and nicest food, imo, out of the 4 colleges.

I'd recommend New, Exeter, Magdalene (many law students I know goes there) as well.

Thanks very much, that's very kind. Strangley enough, I visited Oxford back in October to get a idea of the place and didn't end up visiting either Keble or Worcester- everythings based on webstites and online guides etc.

In regard to Keble, I love the look of the architecture. It's certainly very striking and although out of kilter with a lot of the well known medieval colleges, very charimastic. I didn't really comprehend the size of the student body at the college but I guess that will create a vibrant community. Based on maps, I knew it was a little further out but I didn't see it as being too far- not as bad as somewhere like St Annes (I think) which does look a long way out.

I know much less about Worcester so that's good news. Good food and nice people sound about perfect.

Actually, Exeter was on my shortlist, along with Wadham and Lincoln and Brasenose if I remember rightly. I did visit Magdalene but thought it might be a really competitive one to get into and I tried my best to pick 2 which I thought would prevent some random drop into a grad only college or similar. Turns out, Merton is the one on everyones list!

Thanks very much, that's very kind. Strangley enough, I visited Oxford back in October to get a idea of the place and didn't end up visiting either Keble or Worcester- everythings based on webstites and online guides etc.

In regard to Keble, I love the look of the architecture. It's certainly very striking and although out of kilter with a lot of the well known medieval colleges, very charimastic. I didn't really comprehend the size of the student body at the college but I guess that will create a vibrant community. Based on maps, I knew it was a little further out but I didn't see it as being too far- not as bad as somewhere like St Annes (I think) which does look a long way out.

I know much less about Worcester so that's good news. Good food and nice people sound about perfect.

Actually, Exeter was on my shortlist, along with Wadham and Lincoln, if I remember rightly. I did visit Magdalene but thought it might be a really competitive one to get into and I tried my best to pick 2 which I thought would prevent some random drop into a grad only college or similar. Turns out, Merton is the one on everyones list!

Oh, I think your exaclty right Cederic. Probably the most generous college to BCL/MJUR students from what I can see. Still, it's quite funny that everyone puts themself forward for that but think to go with St Anne's as a first choice, probably because it's a little less fashionable, where they would have a massive chance of getting something. They offer 2 £2000 or £3000 BCL scholarships I think.

Although, saying that, I decided against applying for Hughes Hall at Cam even though they seemed to say they give LLM students who put them down as first choice and take up their place £1000.

I would like to draw your attention to the Facebook groups of the BCL/Mjur and Cambridge LLM. If you get in please join us.

BCL/MJur 2009/2010
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=60060313446

Cambridge LLM 2009/2010
http://www.new.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=75890311368&ref=ts

See you in the UK!

Unsuccessful at Cambridge Suzanne Wade just mailed me:(. Oh well life goes on, I didn\'t expect to get in and I have my UCL and LSE offers for Criminal LLM. Any thoughts on which to go for? Is LSE\'s lib really way better? Hearty congrats to everyone who got into Oxbridge, enjoy what will be a great year! This board has been very interesting and enjoyable throughout the application process

Cornor- I'm sorry to hear that, and congrats on your LSE/UCL offers. Do you mind me asking whether you emailed Cambridge to ask for the decision?

I e mailed miss wade earlier this week and she said she would get back to me as soon as a decision was available, which was today, So Cam is working sat for us LLMers! She is very nice so send her a friendly earnest mail and im sure she will do her best for you! Good luck!

Hi S_Dimelow,

Unfortunately, I don't know a thing about either Worchester or Keble. Sorry.

With regards to Oxford's 'research pyramid', the Faculty's preferred option is for students to progress through the BCL - MPHIL - DPHIL. I believe it sets that out on the website somewhere. That said, there seems to be a pretty diverse mix of routes taken to the DPHIL.

Cello - Your info on Merton accommodation is actually incorrect. For the past several years all first year grads who wanted it received Merton graduate accommodation. I believe that trend is likely to continue this year. Also, Merton grads are not in competition with undergrads for rooms. We have our residences, they have theirs.

Cheers to all,

Paddy

Thanks a lot Paddy. Your comments have been very helpful.

Thats odd as she got back to me quite quickly. I'd say there is nothing to be lost with a quick phone call. Good luck!

I can confirm from personal experience that going directly to the DPhil (or rather, starting as a PRS) without a BCL/MPhil is possible, although Paddy may know better than I how often this course is taken.

On a different note, anyone have thoughts about Univ and Lincoln? They're my 1 and 2, respectively.

Hey HRoark,

I went directly into the DPhil, and I actually think there are a fairly significant number of us who did. That said, I haven't got any hard data and I'm not at all sure what the faculty means when they say they prefer candidates to take the BCL-MPHIL-DPHIL route.

Cheers,

Paddy

NB: Don't know too much about Lincoln, but its library is in what appears to be a de-consecrated church. Cool.