NB: This review is largely for the benefit of grad school-bound American (or other international) students who are, as I once was, trying to choose a Cambridge college guided only by tea leaf divination and Google "I'm feeling lucky" searches.
I've done my fair share of sampling the wonders of other colleges, and to be sure, there is something wonderful about every college. Still, I cannot say enough about Pembroke (my college) for those who seek the best overall "Cambridge" experience as a grad.
I chose Pembroke because it is pretty (my father sent me a postcard of it when I was about seven), not knowing much else about it.
I love Pembroke because it's centrally located but not overrun with tourists, it offers better welfare support than anywhere else in the University, the aesthetic and culture are traditional while the infrastructure and administration are fairly progressive, the (recently renovated and absolutely lovely) library is the only one I know open 'til midnight every night, the people are interesting and kind, and the Graduate Parlour (the grad social hub) incurs the envy of every non-Pembroke friend I bring in for its coziness and free tea.
The Master of Pembroke (Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6) described Pem to me as "not one of the grander colleges, but one of the prettiest." That being said, by American standards, I think Pem rather "grand" in the sense that it was the third college out of today's 31 at Cambridge, it was founded in 1347, it is home to Christopher Wren's first architectural commission (our chapel), and it is the only college to still have a bit of architecture from every century since its founding.
It also has a fairly large and secure endowment, which is more of an issue around here than one would think. It has really nice grad housing (I live in the college--most colleges don't have in-college housing for grads, and it's heartbreakingly beautiful to walk to my room at dusk) and a great location for most people in the humanities/some sciences--it takes me two minutes to go from my room to any of my classes (check to see where your prospective dept. is on a map). And it's very intimate-feeling, which is my peeve with the so-called "grander" colleges. The vegetarian/vegan/omnivore-friendly food is better and cheaper than most (arguably all) college canteens, and Pem's dining hall is ranked as one of the highest in Cam (every dining hall is different here, and some are very, very bad).
It's into sustainability. It's a stone's throw from the Fitzwilliam art museum. It's got opportunities for students to gain employment as Teaching Assistants for international students (like intrepid first reviewer Felicia C.) over vacations. It's got really active and diverse extracurricular societies. In short, it's perfect for me. May you find a college as perfect for you. read more