The Big 'Recommend Me A College' Thread

Cuth's is a good college to consider, as a Postgrad you'd be in Brooks House which is ensuite and self-catered, we have quite a supportive postgraduate community and there's plenty of integration with undergrads if you want.

Well I originally applied to St. Cuths but it was more of a spur of the moment decision because I really really just wanted to get my UCAS sent. Anyway, I realised that you might have to share rooms at Cuths, the reputation of it being full of post grads and that there isn't guaranteed full catering? I'm thinking of ringing up UCAS and asking if I could swap somewhere else.

I was thinking of Van Mildert (best bar and ducks? hell yeah) and Castle (because it's in a freaking Castle) but wasn't too sure because apparently Mildert has a smell thanks to the lake and Castle is so hard to get into. Basically, I just want a college that's not too traditional (though I suppose I wouldn't really mind gowns), has got a good bar, doesn't share rooms (sharing for a year at boarding school was bad enough) and isn't too sporty or artsy (I do want a good gym though but I don't want cliquey hockey/netball people ) Any opinions on colleges? I'm pretty set on Van Mildert at the moment because of it's TV, it's bar and it's gym but I figure I should put more thought into this rather than making a decision at 5 in the morning...

Nah, you don't get a second choice (although I think you should). However, I should also say college allocation is entirely random, so you have exactly the same chance as any other person applying to university.

I'm pretty sure college allocation is not entirely random. I was under the impression there was a quota for each subject and that they also considered the benefit you'd bring to their college.

Found this on the university college website -
"Gaining a place in this College is dependent on academic merit and on the contribution we think you can make to our community, based on your personal statement."

Well you're right about quotas, but the rest is entirely random, they don't look at personal statements or grades anymore. A computer allocates colleges based on the best fit of preferences disclosed.

Found this on the university college website -
"Gaining a place in this College is dependent on academic merit and on the contribution we think you can make to our community, based on your personal statement."

I'm pretty sure college allocation is not entirely random. I was under the impression there was a quota for each subject and that they also considered the benefit you'd bring to their college.

Found this on the university college website -
"Gaining a place in this College is dependent on academic merit and on the contribution we think you can make to our community, based on your personal statement."

I'm pretty sure college allocation is not entirely random. I was under the impression there was a quota for each subject and that they also considered the benefit you'd bring to their college.

Found this on the university college website -
"Gaining a place in this College is dependent on academic merit and on the contribution we think you can make to our community, based on your personal statement."

Nah, you don't get a second choice (although I think you should). However, I should also say college allocation is entirely random, so you have exactly the same chance as any other person applying to university.

Yes, University is hard to get into - have a look at this for an example
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AtmBRjxXlts9dFFkVkxpNkJad0d3SFFHSTlQMFlzY0E#gid=0
As said, you'll be allocated elsewhere if you don't get in, and we're not entirely sure how the process works.
Generally speaking, people who are assigned to a different college learn to love it pretty quickly - they're all good places to live, and have fantastic stuff going on.





If anyone finds out for sure, I'd love you to bits if you could update the entry in the forum FAQ. Information about the process has been really dodgy for the past couple of years, largely because it keeps changing.

Hey, so basically i have had a right mare and have only decided today that i really want to do sport, exercise and physical activity at durham uni, i haven't visited the uni, and ive just realised i need to put down a college, its in durham city, but i am literally clueless about any of this stuff..

i am an athlete so track facilities are quite important to me, is there any particular college that is suited to athletics or is particularly good at sport that would suit my application?

HELP!

Hey there, I was thinking of applying to either Collingwood or trevelyn college. I was just wondering how their gyms compare, which one is bigger and less busier for example? cheers

Can talk about Collingwood gym since I've used it, no idea about Trev's gym though sorry! Collingwood gym is of a moderate size but very well equipped, recently had some new things brought in, haven't been in a while. Generally busier in the evenings compared to the rest of the day but you can always find a time slot when you'll have it to yourself, more or less. I'd say it's very good compared to St Aidan's which is the only other gym that I have seen.
Hope that helps.