The Student Room Group

Durham offer, can i change college?

Hi all,

I went to the St Aidans Open Day last week, whilst i really liked city and departments, I was rather disappointed with the college. I originally applied to Trevs, and had my application changed to St Aidans, which im still annoyed about.

Has anyone any idea whether its possible to switch colleges before i (hopefully) start there in Oct 2004?Is this a particuarly complicated process and will it basically be pot luck what i get, or will i be able to choose between Aidans and the alternative(s)?Will i have to wait to Aug results, before they can fill any possible college vacancies?

Apologies for all the questions, but thanks to those who reply!
my mate who got put into aidans wants to get out of it as well. He said its possible but u better ask soon. I don't know how good your chances are.
Reply 2
Have you any idea who he's spoken to about it? I don't exactly want to ring Aidans up and offend them!
Reply 3
I think it's marginally possible, but you can only transfer if the other college is undersubscribed, which may be applicable only to a few colleges. Presumably if Trevs didn't have enough room, then it's unlikely that you'll get in there. However, don't quote me on that, because I'm not 100% certain. Ring up the college admissions rep and inquire. I'd do it sooner rather than later, though.
Reply 4
I am thinking along the same lines - the college is nicer than van mildert which I stayed in last year, but Aidans will probably make you share a room, and there was just something about it that I didn't like.

What was it you didn't like about it Jack?
jack1268
Hi all,

I went to the St Aidans Open Day last week, whilst i really liked city and departments, I was rather disappointed with the college. I originally applied to Trevs, and had my application changed to St Aidans, which im still annoyed about.

Has anyone any idea whether its possible to switch colleges before i (hopefully) start there in Oct 2004?Is this a particuarly complicated process and will it basically be pot luck what i get, or will i be able to choose between Aidans and the alternative(s)?Will i have to wait to Aug results, before they can fill any possible college vacancies?

Apologies for all the questions, but thanks to those who reply!

Hello, it's a shame you didn't like Aidan's cos I'm going there and I'm great! :tongue: What didn't you like about it?

I can help you actually, they shoved me in St Mary's to begin with, so I rang up my department and explained my problem. They said they couldn't help but my best bet was to ring round all the colleges. I still suggest you phone your department first because then you can say they advised you to ring the college, which gives more weight to your cause. Then ring round the admissions secretary of each college in your order of preference, explain why you'd be much happier at their college and sound like you desperately want to go to Durham.

Try Trevs again - after the open days some people will be declining their places which may leave room for you.
Reply 6
serendipity
Try Trevs again - after the open days some people will be declining their places which may leave room for you.

That's true, actually. There's nothing wrong with trying - you won't put your place at Aidan's in danger anyway, so you've still got a place. Just play up the whole "I really want to go to Durham" thing.
Reply 7
Trouble is, how can you explain why you'd be much happier at their college when you're not really sure why yourself!!
Yeh I think you should ring them up and do the pitiful desperate to go to Durham act... Hmm.. but which other colleges to you have in mind? Castle is out of the question obviously because its so oversubscribed. I think you'd have a better chance of changing now than if you wait it out...

Give it a shot and tell us how you go! :smile: Good luck.
Reply 9
I applied as a postgrad at Durham and got an offer. I left the College field blank, so does anyone know on what basis they assign me to a College?
Yeh I think you should ring them up and do the pitiful desperate to go to Durham act... Hmm.. but which other colleges to you have in mind? Castle is out of the question obviously because its so oversubscribed. I think you'd have a better chance of changing now than if you wait it out...

Give it a shot and tell us how you go! :smile: Good luck.
Guiscard
I applied as a postgrad at Durham and got an offer. I left the College field blank, so does anyone know on what basis they assign me to a College?


Not entirely sure- all I know is that your department will pick a college for you, most likely based on the location of your departments facilities and your extra curricular activities...:smile:
Reply 12
apparently it is really easy to change college after you get to Uni.......it is harder to do it before because they will have filled their places.....but after the first week a few ppl always drop out or decide to take a GAP year or change college so spaces open up........that is why we always get loads of people swapping to Cuths apparently cos ppl get there realise it is the best and change.......
i changed colleges a couple of months ago from castle to van mildert. just ring round the colleges and see if they have any places left, good luck! :smile: