Pooling in Oxford Colleges - What it is and What it Means

By Matilda Brown

If you’ve just received an Oxford offer, a huge congratulations to you! But even if not, you may have had experience with the ‘pooling’ system during your Oxford application. So, what does it mean to get pooled, and what does it mean for your offer?

I originally applied to Lady Margaret Hall, was pooled to Christ Church pre-interview, and then was also interviewed by Regent’s Park College and finally St Peter’s College, which is where I ended up! If anybody knows what it’s like to be tossed from college to college, it’s me. I’m not an admissions tutor, so I can’t give a comprehensive insight into the specific reasons why and how applicants get pooled, but generally, Oxford wants to give each candidate they see fit to interview a fair chance, thereby interviewing them with other colleges if they don’t have space in the one the applicant originally applied to. This doesn’t mean the initial college doesn’t want you, more that they do, but they don’t have the interview slots for you.

If you’ve applied to a college and been accepted elsewhere, what does this mean for your Oxford experience? You may have mixed feelings about being accepted into a college that you didn’t apply to. Don’t worry, this is totally normal. Whichever college you attend becomes yours in both a literal and sentimental sense. Now, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere but Peter’s, even though at one point I felt as though I couldn’t identify with it. You really do get to know the heart and soul of your college, no matter what.

So, my advice for these mixed feelings? Embrace your uncertainty. Get familiar with your college: go to an offer holder’s afternoon or do a video tour online. Work hard to get your grades (if your offer is conditional), and whichever college you end up attending, you will grow to love it as your own.