Alcuin, James, or Vanbrugh College?

Social life is what you make of it. College doesn't matter a bit.

I'm pretty sure we can choose a college

That is true. But from what I've read it seemed as if Alcuin had a lot of areas that are bothersome to just pass by because of the key card system. I really have no idea, as I've never visited. The quietness of Alcuin everyone talks about sounds lovely, but at the same time quite lonely, so I'm a bit hesitant here.

Is that so? Then this makes choosing even more worrying.

This is one massive pro of old Vanbrugh, in my eyes - instead of flats it had open plan floors, about 40 people on each. Certain doors were keycarded, for security, but your keycard could get you through any door in the block (apart from obviously into people's personal rooms). I don't think the newer blocks have this system, I think you just have to stick to your own flat and knock on other people's doors (which is boring)

Yeah, I was reading about it a few minutes before I saw the thread

http://www.york.ac.uk/about/departments/support-and-admin/accommodation/new-students/undergraduates/ug-accomm-summary/

"When you apply for accommodation you will usually be able to choose a college, let length and room type."



I'm probably going to go for Derwent but Vanbrugh would likely be my backup

This is one massive pro of old Vanbrugh, in my eyes - instead of flats it had open plan floors, about 40 people on each. Certain doors were keycarded, for security, but your keycard could get you through any door in the block (apart from obviously into people's personal rooms).

That's what Derwent is like too, right?

That sounds much better. Does it ever get too noisy though? I've lived in a quiet suburb all my life, so though I hate extended silences, I still do enjoy a bit of peace now and again.



I went on to look at the guide, and I don't even know if I want a standard or en-suite anymore. But thanks!

Derwent sounded like a good place to stay as well, but the lack of shelf space on the sample photos kind of bothered me. I need all the clutter space I can get

Yes, I'm pretty sure it's the same



No noisier than anywhere else I don't think. It's not one massive block party, people tend to form smaller groups and aren't too noisy. The walls are very thin, but that's a hazard of all halls of residence.

Thank you very much for your input then! Now I'm just hoping to hear from Alcuin and James residents

I'm in Alcuin, and it's not at all as anti-social as people make it out to be. Everyone I know in Alcuin enjoys going out just as much as friends in other colleges and my block isn't at all quiet. Yes, you do need keycards to get into other blocks, but people are generally fine with just letting you in anyway, it's never been an issue for me at least. It isn't as loud as Derwent, but then, I don't think I'd want it to be.

As for other things, I find how close Alcuin is to the library useful and it's no more than a 5-10 minute walk to places like Vanburgh, James, Derwent and market square.

Plus it has rabbits and they're adorable.

None of the above - CHOOSE HALIFAX

I honestly didn't bother doing my research on other colleges because it'd make deciding even harder. I looked at the 360 room view of Halifax, and my god, that is the best room I've seen so far. The shelf space, and desk are HUGE! What are the college, location, and events like?

YAY! this makes me happy I know what you mean, Halifax rooms are so big, really spacious and really modern. I genuinely think we have some of the best accommodation on campus. To be honest, NO ONE really chooses to live in Halifax College. In my house of 11 people, none of us wanted Halifax accommodation but by the time we were able to apply, it was the only accommodation left so we had no choice but to live there. I was like you - hadn't even looked at anything that wasn't Vanbrugh, Alcuin or James but I am REALLY glad I live in Halifax now! Think it is seen as being away from the action as it's a little bit off campus which is the reason people don't really go for it but the fact it's not right on campus is not an issue at all. In fact, I would go as far as to say that I really enjoy the 10 min walk to and from campus each day (and ten minutes really is all it is).
Also, the way the blocks are set out at Halifax is just lovely. The houses (and yes, they are houses as opposed to flats!) are arranged in lots of little courts, like little courtyards which are really pretty and you just feel like part of a community living there. There are really large houses in St Lawrence Court with 20 people in each but the houses in other courts range from having like 8 -12 people I think.
The college events are fine. We don't have the reputation for being the most sociable college but at the same time, Halifax are far from unsociable. It's the biggest college so the events that are put on are usually pretty well-attended and they are usually good enough. And our Freshers week events were really well planned, I thought!
Anyway, I really do recommend Halifax college to you and am really pleased you are now considering it! EVERYONE I live with now was actually disappointed to find that Halifax was the only accommodation we could apply for but now, after living there for two terms, we are all so happy we ended up there. I don't think there would be many people who would have anything bad to say about living there.
Anyway, that's my contribution to your decision-making although it's still a long while before you'll even get to apply! Although being prepared in advance is definitely a good idea because last year I wasn't and ended up living in Halifax knowing nothing about it! Any other questions, just let me know but I hope I have sold living in Halifax to you!

Langwith. Double Beds. That is all.

Choose Derwent.

Derwent is like that one relative you see every couple of years at family reunions. There's the unusual smell and large amounts of asbestos, but you know we're heaps more fun than anything else.