Applying To Downing

Why Downing?

So you've decided on Cambridge, and decided on a course. But there's another choice to make- for both your UCAS and Cambridge admission forms: which college?

What is a college? Students live sleep and work in colleges. Lectures are organised by your department across the whole University. Your Director of Studies is usually a member of your college and organises your supervisions. However, you will often have supervisions outside college – who supervises you depends on who has the expertise in that area and so will not necessarily be a fellow of your college. None of the colleges are really that different- they all have beds, food and libraries, and there will be Ôyour kind of people' in every one. Wherever you go (whether it was your choice or you were pooled), by the end of FreshersÕ Week you will be convinced that the architecture, people and sporting prowess of your college are the best of them all, and you wouldn't be able to imagine being anywhere else. Ask a Downing student why they chose to come here, and the most common answer you will find is "it's so pretty"- our architecture is unique (neoclassical), and stunning. However, you can't always judge a book by its cover- here are 12 more reasons why we love it so much:

• Freshers' Week – the best in the University! Activities during the day as well as parties in the evening, designed to make sure every kind of personality has a good time and feels at home in Downing.
• Very active students: from an enthusiastic JCR to entertain you, be a (loud!) voice for students within college, and be there when you need them, musical activities, the newly formed Blake society for smaller arts subjects, debating, the Downing Dramatic Society that is going from strength to strength (with purpose built college theatre as a prospect), a chess team, chapel choir (recently toured America & Canada), to Amnesty and SAFE charity groups, the Downing Enterprise scheme and more (some listed here). Even after graduation it doesn't end – alumni keep a strong bond with Downing and the Downing Association supports current students.
• A sporty college with a very well equipped (and enthusiastic) Boat Club, and teams for sports including rugby, football, hockey, tennis, lacrosse and netball. Lots of chances to get involved, whatever your ability – and if there isn't already a team feel free to create one! We also have a gym that is incredibly cheap to use.
• The Paddock , a big grassy area bang in the middle of College, for playing games and sunbathing.
• Very popular baguette bar that opens every lunchtime, making baguettes to order.
• One of the few student-run bars in Cambridge, open every evening with cheap drinks (it's a a non-profitmaking organisation), pool and table football as well as a party room below with a wide screen TV.
• Candlelit formal halls three times a week and very popular themed formal dinners for Christmas/Bonfire Night/Valentines etc and 'Superformals' (extra special ones with entertainment and even better food). Downing is generally seen to have some of the better college food in the university, and with the dining hall being refurbished very soon, new students will have even more beautiful surroundings for meals!
• Fast internet connections in rooms, and a computer room for anyone who doesn't bring a computer/whose computer has mysteriously broken/who needs printing facilities - with 24hr access.
• Amazing JCR website (!) with active forums for students – useful for getting a last minute formal ticket or finding out when pesky term dates fall, as well as an applicants' forum.
• Convenient for many central lecture theatres and faculties, and with prominently active history (Maitland), law (Cranworth) and science/engineering/maths/computer science (Danby) societies to organise social and career events.
• Not on the tourist trail (your work will not be disturbed by the visiting public), yet close enough to the very centre of town to make everything is easy walking distance.
• A newly reinstated May Ball, in 2007 'Danu', planned to run bi-annually: a chance to blow off all that post-exam steam with your college friends, and have mere metres to stagger to your bed afterwards!
• We have composed a set of Frequently Asked Questions to help you get to grips with what Downing is really like, and to guide you though the interview process. The College website also has a useful and accurate guide as to why you should consider Downing.

Page last updated 30 Aug 2007 (eaw45)