Darwin College Accommodation - Frank Young House

Hi! I've been accepted at Darwin and have been allocated to a room at Frank Young House, which was not one of my preferred options. Because of COVID concerns, I wanted to stay in an ensuite room, but FYH does not have any. Moreover, I've been allocated to one of the most expensive rooms at FYH.

Can anybody who has stayed or is staying at FYH please tell me whether they've had a good experience or not? In addition, how likely is it for my room allocation to be changed if I ask the Accommodation Manager?

Thank you!

Hi! I've been accepted at Darwin and have been allocated to a room at Frank Young House, which was not one of my preferred options. Because of COVID concerns, I wanted to stay in an ensuite room, but FYH does not have any. Moreover, I've been allocated to one of the most expensive rooms at FYH.

Can anybody who has stayed or is staying at FYH please tell me whether they've had a good experience or not? In addition, how likely is it for my room allocation to be changed if I ask the Accommodation Manager?

Thank you!

It's very normal (at every university) to be allocated a room that isn't of your preference. If there are financial concerns with you being able to afford FYH, then speak to the Accommodation Manager. Otherwise, they will have a long list of students wanting to change rooms just because they prefer a different one. But without much further reasoning the answer tends to be a no, in my experience. Your best bet would be moving into FYH and then seeing if anyone at the college is willing to swap with you.

Hi Merel,

In the end, I didn't stay at FYH.

Initially, I accepted the room but was also added to a waiting list if any ensuite room freed up. The Acommodation Manager told me that was the wise thing to do. Otherwise, had I said no to the FYH room, I would have ended up without any College accommodation at all. Then, about three weeks later -late August- I was told an ensuite room had freed up at Mount Pleasant Halls and I took it.

I can tell you what I know from friends that stayed at FYH and from the few times I went there.
The pros
The cons:
Another thing I've been told is that it can be less social, you might not ran into people often. That could be both positive or negative depending on your personality and the time of the year, e.g., during exam periods you might appreciate the quietness.

If you've been allocated to FYH, I would recommend you take the room and ask if you can be added to a waiting list for a room of your preference. If you're deciding between College or private accommodation, I would strongly recommend College accommodation as it is cheaper.

Hope this helps and that you have a nice experience at Darwin!

Martin

Hi Merel,

In the end, I didn't stay at FYH.

Initially, I accepted the room but was also added to a waiting list if any ensuite room freed up. The Acommodation Manager told me that was the wise thing to do. Otherwise, had I said no to the FYH room, I would have ended up without any College accommodation at all. Then, about three weeks later -late August- I was told an ensuite room had freed up at Mount Pleasant Halls and I took it.

I can tell you what I know from friends that stayed at FYH and from the few times I went there.
The pros
The cons:
Another thing I've been told is that it can be less social, you might not ran into people often. That could be both positive or negative depending on your personality and the time of the year, e.g., during exam periods you might appreciate the quietness.

If you've been allocated to FYH, I would recommend you take the room and ask if you can be added to a waiting list for a room of your preference. If you're deciding between College or private accommodation, I would strongly recommend College accommodation as it is cheaper.

Hope this helps and that you have a nice experience at Darwin!

Martin