Andrea H.
4/5
If you are a prospective student who likes their privacy and ability to prepare your own meals, then this is the college for you. Jo Butler is the only college with self-catering options, and all the rooms come with ensuites and lovely furniture. Flats are compact, with only 6 roommates as opposed to large floors of up to 20 students sharing bathrooms at some of the other colleges. There are also weekly cleaners who vacuum your bedroom and kitchen, and take out the trash. It is up to you to clean the dishes though, and the cleaners will get upset if you leave the kitchen a real mess, since it prevents them doing their job.
The college has its own gym, albeit pretty small and shared with Ustinov college, and you do have to purchase a gym membership to use it. The laundry rooms are located next to it in the Howland's building, and it bears remembering that its a bit of a walk to lug your clothes up there in the cold winter weather.
The bar is enormous. Like an aircraft hanger. Since I graduated I believe a lot has been done to make it feel more intimate and cozy. The principal is extremely strict about drinking games, and when I was at college this dissuaded a lot of students hanging in the bar for long periods, as they preferred to go to other college bars or city bars. It also deterred other college students from visiting, also with the fact this college is at the top of the hill.
Over all I had a good time at this college and having small flats, where you can fill in a survey to place you with students with similar sleeping habits etc, means you will make friends for life.