Official Durham Applicants Thread 2011

There are always rumours, and when unis could see where everyone had applied (people used to have to rank them on ucas when they applied), it was probably true.

Definitely not true now though, a lot of the time Durham and Oxbridge pick the same people, but obviously for most subjects Oxbridge is more competitive so a lot of people get rejected from there but get into Durham....a significant number of people get into Oxbridge and not Durham though, probably because Oxbridge have entrance tests and interviews, and their courses are pretty different for some subjects.

Durham's much better anyway, a lot more clarity on what courses involve...and we have a castle! :P

Ye, its £80 one way too!!! Crazy figures! I'll probably get a railcard if I go to Durham as that will save a lot of money on train fares. I haven't tested my alcohol limits yet, but I imagine I wouldn't be the best of drunks

I don't have an eating problem, if that's what you're trying to imply



I effectively need it! And no, not boring. I know what I like so I stick to it Since you sound you're at Durham do the kitchens have hobs/ovens and whatnot if they're catered, or is just a limited fridge and micorwave thing?

Thank you! Have you got an offer too? Do you think you'll firm it? x

Don't, is my advice Alcohol limits should not be tested, just approached with caution BUT do get a railcard, saves so much money!

2 great pieces of advice there, which I will use I've heard that drinking water before you go to bed means you don't get a hangover, so I'll be trying stuff like that too

Why thank you And yeah, water does the trick for me. I'm prone to really bad hangovers, but despite liking the odd drink I'm also ridiculously sensible so I always have water before bed why 'the Piano Man', I've been wondering...

I've got what I thought was quite a generous offer from them, but it was meant to be my fifth choice (I'm a med applicant as well). Now that I have one medicine rejection, and unsure if I'll meet my predicted grades, I think I may be going here after all! I'm going to hopefully visit Durham on the Open Day in the spring, so fingers crossed!

Oh, so it does work then? I will be taking that advice then
Pianoman, that name really makes me cringe now!
Its cuz I play piano basically, I'm not even that good at it, anyone who gives me a piece to sight read is never impressed! I have the qualifications, like the grade 8 and the diplcm but want to work on the sight reading skills and repertoire!

Congrats! Don't worry too much, Medicine is really competitive but you still have 3 choices left, so keep your hopes up! I'm just waiting for King's College London to reply. If they don't give me an offer, i'll definitely be firming Durham! Yeah same, i've booked the open day on the 16th March. I live in London so i'm asking my mum to drive me there Have you also applied for Medicine at Durham?

Don't, is my advice Alcohol limits should not be tested, just approached with caution BUT do get a railcard, saves so much money!

Hahaha this really can't be avoided--unless one just refuses to drink to start with.

Ah, I need a hob, so maybe not all is lost. I have toast for breakfast and lunch, and for tea I have cheese on toast (I like toast, in case you couldn't tell), pasta, an apple, and occassionally dessert. There are other foods that I don't mind, but I couldn't eat them everyday...

I have signed up to a masters but there is still the option to stop the course at 3 years and get a BSc, or if I fail year 4 I get a BSc! I will try and stay at Durham for all 4 years, though that will require hard work to pass!
Does your course offer a 4 year option?

Very good point - I discovered mine a long time ago

I actually don't know if it does, I certainly haven't applied for it. As much as I love the look of Durham I think I'll want to do a masters elsewhere, perhaps the states.

Good, you'll come prepared then


Prepare to spend.

Just wanted to say I know EXACTLY what you mean, I am a vegetarian desperatly wanting to become a vegan, and the thought of someone else cooking my food - let alone not having a proper choice as to what it was - is pretty impossible for me! I definitely need to be self catering too (: and I thinn you've taken some of those comments extremely well! If someone patronised me saying my eating habits would 'get broader' eventually I would not be able to keep cool haha, vegetarianism isn't some kind of disease!

Hi!
I was just wondering how the college system worked, like is it easy to socialise with people from other colleges and go and use their facilities and hang around the other colleges or do you have to stick to yours with no contact with anyone from another college, how important is this system? Or does everyone just sort of go and do whatever they want? And if it's difficult to see people from other colleges or socialise with others than is it possible to move college? Does anyone really care which college you spend the most time at even if it's not your one? or is everyone kept seperate in their own colleges i.e. can't go to a social event at another college eg a formal dinner or ball or something like that? Because if so i may think about trying to move colleges (That is if i get in its still on Recieved by a college in AES!) Thanks