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01/22/2006 08:52:07 AM · #1 |
Just trying to gauge any international thoughts about oxford uni. Everyone makes out that its world-renowned, and that a degree from oxford really opens up doors everywhere, but is it really that big a thing?? I believe harvard is the US equivalent, but I wouldn't particularly notice if someone told me they had a harvard degree...s'all greek to me ;)
I've got an offer from Oxford to study Engineering, but think I might prefer to accept my offer from Sheffield for Mechanical Engineering with Spanish, partly for the course, but mainly because I've never really liked the idea of going to oxbridge for its elitism. Also I prefer the accommodation situation and student union at sheffield, but absolutely love the city of oxford,despite having hating cambridge (and its a better distance from home).
Should I be worried that by rejecting oxford I'm throwing away a really good opportunity?? Will it really significantly improve my career prospects? Like I've said in threads before, I'd like to get involved in engineering for sustainable development.. which will probably involve a lot of working for charities or NGOs, rather than high-end businesses that'll be impressed by an oxbridge degree.
Any thoughts? Have you heard of oxford? Does it mean a much to you? As an employer would it mean anything for an applicant to have an oxford degree? Or is there anyone out there who's studied at oxford??
Thanks,
Kirsty |
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01/22/2006 08:59:14 AM · #2 |
Go to Oxford if you get the chance. Sheffield (my home town) may provide the same course, the same teaching, but Oxford and Cambridge have an extra 'something' when it comes to the marketability of the degree.
Having said that a 1st from Sheffield is always going to be better than a 2.2 from Oxford.
Your choice I'm afraid, but giid luck whichever you choose. |
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01/22/2006 09:07:49 AM · #3 |
IMO there is no doubt that Oxbridge degrees make an impact on your CV. However, an engineering degree may be better from another uni such as Brunel. Look at the league tables for the college you have had an offer for at Oxford and compare it with Sheffield. Look at the % of graduates who have gained employment in the first year out of college. It also depends on whether the course on offer is what you are looking for - no use doing a course just because it is Oxford. The other areas such as accomodation also need to be considered but how much time will you spend in your Hall ? The course and what the college has to offer is more important than that.
Not sure what is worrying you when you say about elitism - what do you think may be a problem?
P
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01/22/2006 09:11:47 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
A visitor to Oxford University remarked to one of the gardeners on the incredible desnity and thickness of the lawns, and inquired as to what special techniques they used to achieve such magnificent and luxuriant growth.
"Oh, no special technique," replied the gardener, "just seed it, roll it, water it, and mow it."
"That's all?" asked the puzzled visitor.
"That's it," said the gardener, "just roll it, water it, and mow it ... and keep doing that for 600 years." |
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01/22/2006 09:15:18 AM · #5 |
If you want to stay in the UK after your degree, non-Oxbridge will be fine, I think. However, I'm studying in USA now, and to be honest, the only universities most people have heard of here are Oxford and Cambridge (generally speaking, of course). So in this respect, an Oxbridge degree would certainly open doors. Having said that, wherever you are, you need to be happy. If you take the Oxford offer and don't like it/don't feel comfortable living/studying there, you probably won't finish your degree. Of course, the same goes for every uni/city. Good luck whatever you choose!
Edit: Oh, and congrats on the offer, by the way!!!
Message edited by author 2006-01-22 14:21:45. |
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01/22/2006 09:16:31 AM · #6 |
Have I heard of Oxford? Yes. Does it impress me? Yes, to an extent. Why? Simply because to even get IN to Oxford (or Stanford, or Harvard, or...) you have to be exceptionally qualified, as a rule. The world being what it is, I'd think carefully before turning Oxford down. But there ARE other considerations, as others have pointed out. One that has not been mentioned is very personal; your "comfort level". If you can't be "you" wherever you choose to go, this may present a problem.
R. |
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01/22/2006 09:24:57 AM · #7 |
I personally think it might be a bad idea to throw away a good school as Oxford if its "prestige" is all that bothers you. If every person who goes there is elitist, then maybe, but i cannot believe that. But maybe I am wrong, as I really dont know much about the school.
...Also, I have heard that if you are considering graduate level work, the prestige of your college does come into play, especially for more competative programs. |
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01/22/2006 09:31:15 AM · #8 |
I say go for Oxford. A degree from another institution will still get you a good job, but a degree from a place like that will open doors you don't even know exist yet. I don't think Harvard has engineering, perhaps a better equivalent would be MIT, Stanford or CalTech .
Message edited by author 2006-01-22 14:33:57.
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01/22/2006 09:32:07 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Riponlady:
Not sure what is worrying you when you say about elitism - what do you think may be a problem?
P |
hmmm i guess theres a sense that even by applying there you're making a statement that you deserve to get in, that you're cleverer than the average student... and you have to live with the fact you have an oxford degree for the rest of your life ;) Also, cause I've always done well at school/college, people have expected me to apply (and get into) oxbridge, and part of me just wants to be different. But I need to be realistic as to what is best for me in the longterm.
Originally posted by GeneralE:
A visitor to Oxford University remarked to one of the gardeners on the incredible desnity and thickness of the lawns, and inquired as to what special techniques they used to achieve such magnificent and luxuriant growth.
"Oh, no special technique," replied the gardener, "just seed it, roll it, water it, and mow it."
"That's all?" asked the puzzled visitor.
"That's it," said the gardener, "just roll it, water it, and mow it ... and keep doing that for 600 years." |
lol
Though to be honest, I didnt get that impression from oxford, it just seemed a beautiful city. In stark contrast, I went round cambridge with my mum a month or so beforehand and I hated the tourist-y feel. My mum tried to keep remarking on how beautiful it was, but the lawns were very much for postcard photos rather than for playing football in the summer. I was really surprised at how much i liked oxford.
One of the things I worry about oxford is the accommodation - I've 3 older brothers who've all gone through uni and had similar halls, so I've always imagined the halls to be on a flat-basis, ie sharing a flat with 6 or so other students, and having that as a starting point for making friends. Also, they've all lived with mates in the later years, which i'd love. At oxford, however, pretty much everyone lives in the college throughout their course (all catered), and you live in a corridor - which means you meet more people but theres not the security of straightaway having 6 people to socialize with. I guess it would suit some people, but i dont feel it would suit how i am socially.
Anyway, thanks everyone. Anyone else have any input??
typos
Message edited by author 2006-01-22 14:32:53. |
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01/22/2006 09:32:56 AM · #10 |
Whatever I did here, I screwed it up. Please delete this.
Message edited by author 2006-01-22 14:35:49.
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01/22/2006 03:11:22 PM · #11 |
I've friends who went to Oxford and loved it but the one thing that I would say, is if you don't think the course there is right for you think carefully about going for it. It'll take up a lot of your time, particularly there, as the time tabling is even more intense than elsewhere. Personally, I'd go where you feel happiest and most confident. It's the reason I chose Edinburgh over Durham, where my school thought I should go. You've got a while, so give it a good think over.
Oh! there are advantages to corridor living over flat, as in a way it's actually more private though there are more people around. Plus you would have dinner to be able to socialise - one question, do you know what the food is like? If you're very fussy, it can be important.
Good luck! Well done whatever you choose to do :) |
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