Lonely Open Day Experience?

2

Hi,

After a frantic couple of days trying to narrow down the college's to visit in school and outside, I finally got to booking for the open days today. It resulted in Hertford, Oxford on the 1st July, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge on the 2nd, leaving it this late I was very lucky to get my first choices.

Anyway, the point of this post; I am going down (from York) alone on the train on the 30th; when I arrive in Oxford I'm staying the night in Hertford college, then attending the open day. That evening I will travel to Cambridge, stay in Cambridge overnight, then attend the open day.

Firstly, I am concerned about attending these days by myself, will I be cast to the back of the groups? Or will I simply not have anyone to talk too? Secondly, Trinity Hall's accomodation was full, so can anyone recommend a hotel / B+B very close to the college? Finally, it looks like I will be better coaching between Oxford and Cambrdige as its direct, rather than a minimum two changes on the train, does anyone have any better suggestions?

Thanks for any input,
Jason

Reply 1

xlx_bono_xlx

Do you go to St James' in Knaresborough by any chance?

Reply 2

JMP

OP

2

No; Fulford in York.

Why do you ask, is there someone you know in the same situation?

Jason

Reply 3

xlx_bono_xlx

JasonPaver

No; Fulford in York.

Why do you ask, is there someone you know in the same situation?

Jason

Am I wisr in making the presumption that people who go on open days tend to go with a friend from their school, or don't they? :confused:

You'll be fine! :smile:

Just enjoy it!

Reply 4

Acaila

17

Try and find someone who looks as lonely as you, wander up and introduce yourself. You probably won't be the only one there on your own, so I would recommend trying to get to know some people. It should be a bit easier if you're staying overnight.

What subject are you considering btw?

Reply 5

shiny

12

I dunno. You could give Trinity a call and ask if they can you let you stay the night in one of their rooms? If you explain the situation you might be able to get something. I don't really know of any B&Bs in the area and some of the Hotels are quite expensive.

Reply 6

xlx_bono_xlx

shiny

I dunno. You could give Trinity a call and ask if they can you let you stay the night in one of their rooms? If you explain the situation you might be able to get something. I don't really know of any B&Bs in the area and some of the <A TITLE="Click for more information about hotel" STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: medium solid green;" HREF="http://search.targetwords.com/u.search?x=5977|1||||hotels|AA1VDw">Hotel</A>s are quite expensive.

Yes I agree, shouldn't the uni provide him with some accommodation? Seems the right thing to do.

Reply 7

JMP

OP

2

It was due to me contacting Trinity Hall so late, at first the admissions officer said they were full, then I pleaded with her and luckily she gave in. Thanks for the idea shiny, I'll give Trinity a ring tomorrow. If they don't have any availability, could you possibly give me the names of the hotels?

I'm intending to apply for either Modern History + Politics at Oxford, or Social and Political sciences; dependant on how I feel after the open days.

Jason

Reply 8

xlx_bono_xlx

JasonPaver

It was due to me contacting Trinity Hall so late, at first the admissions officer said they were full, then I pleaded with and luckily she gave in. Thanks for the idea shiny, I'll give Trinity a ring tomorrow. If they don't have any, could you give me the names of the hotels?

I'm intending to apply for either Modern History + Politics at Oxford, or Social and Political sciences; dependant on how I feel after the open days.

Jason

Hope it goes well! :smile:

Reply 9

sixthirtythree

JasonPaver

No; Fulford in York.

Why do you ask, is there someone you know in the same situation?

Jason

Hey Jason,

I'm going to be attending the Merton Open Day on my own on the 1st July. At first, I was slightly reluctant about going as I couldn't convince anyone from my school to come (please note that this does not reflect Merton's wonderful popularity in any way, simply that the people at my school are, um...anti-Merton and...strange? Anyway, Merton's great). However, in the end, I decided it was more important to meet the tutors, see the college, et cetera, than any potential social problems you might have!

Although I'm still slightly apprehensive about going, I'm actually quite a forward person. I like meeting new people and I'll quite willingly introduce myself to anyone, quite randomly. After all, you can't get anywhere without confidence, right? And plus, it does develop your communication skills :smile:

I went to the Bath Open Day yesterday and there were some people on their own. I found myself going up to randomly chat to all of them and more or less adopted someone I met at the train station into the group of friends I went with (there were five of us). We ended up walking to Bath University together (stupid decision, 2 km, uphill) and it was fine.

Basically, as long as you make an effort, I think you'll be fine :smile:

After all, I'm hoping for much the same! Good luck and who knows, I might see you around :biggrin:

Reply 10

JMP

OP

2

Thats great news - I'm not going to be the only one to be wondering around alone !

I agree totally with it being more important to see the place etc, thats why I put my name down, even if I am slightly aprehensive. What are you planning to look at?

Jason

Reply 11

shiny

12

JasonPaver

It was due to me contacting Trinity Hall so late, at first the admissions officer said they were full, then I pleaded with her and luckily she gave in. Thanks for the idea shiny, I'll give Trinity a ring tomorrow. If they don't have any availability, could you possibly give me the names of the hotels?

I'm intending to apply for either Modern History + Politics at Oxford, or Social and Political sciences; dependant on how I feel after the open days.

Jason

This page has the hotels and guesthouses ...
http://www.roomstobook-cambridge.co.uk/index.php

Reply 12

JMP

OP

2

shiny

This page has the hotels and guesthouses ...
http://www.roomstobook-cambridge.co.uk/index.php

I'm actually able to get Moat House rooms for a massively reduced price - do you happen to know which one is closer to where I need to be? Sorry for pestering.

deianra

I'm pretty sure I'm applying to Merton, so I'm just basically getting nervous and over-excited about meeting the Economics and Management tutors :redface:

Ha, no prizes for guessing which subject I'm applying for. Anyway, hopefully it will be sunny and Oxford is a beautiful city to laze away an afternoon in... :smile:

What makes you so certain about Merton? It's taken me ages to get so many opinions from people to narrow my choices down, I'm still swayable.
One of the things I've heard from unreliable sources is that people from the countryside -myself included- tend to prefer Cambridge as a city due to it being smaller - is this simply an urban myth? (oh the irony)

Jason

Reply 13

shiny

12

JasonPaver

I'm actually able to get Moat House rooms for a massively reduced price - do you happen to know which one is closer to where I need to be? Sorry for pestering.

The Moathouse is only a few minutes away from Trinity Hall :smile:

Reply 14

JMP

OP

2

shiny

The Moathouse is only a few minutes away from Trinity Hall :smile:

Thanks very much, now its just a matter of trying to wangle a cheap room :biggrin:

Jason

Reply 15

Acaila

17

JasonPaver

It was due to me contacting Trinity Hall so late, at first the admissions officer said they were full, then I pleaded with her and luckily she gave in. Thanks for the idea shiny, I'll give Trinity a ring tomorrow. If they don't have any availability, could you possibly give me the names of the hotels?

I'm intending to apply for either Modern History + Politics at Oxford, or Social and Political sciences; dependant on how I feel after the open days.

Jason

Social and Political Sciences? And Tit Hall? Yay! I'm going to apply for SPS and to Robinson or Trinity Hall probably :biggrin:

Wish I could make it to the open day with you all :frown:

Reply 16

Helenia

20

deianra

I'm going to be attending the Merton Open Day on my own on the 1st July. At first, I was slightly reluctant about going as I couldn't convince anyone from my school to come (please note that this does not reflect Merton's wonderful popularity in any way, simply that the people at my school are, um...anti-Merton and...strange? Anyway, Merton's great). However, in the end, I decided it was more important to meet the tutors, see the college, et cetera, than any potential social problems you might have!

Honey, it's great that you're so enthusiastic about the place already, but you haven't even been yet, let alone applied/get accepted! :eek:

Reply 17

JMP

OP

2

How come you can't make it acaila?

The reason I decided to favour Trinity Hall over Trinity itself was simply the size.. I'd prefer some where close knit. What about you?

After reading the amount of work your putting in already towards the interview, it certainly appears any hope of mine is dashed.. Other than politics, which I take, my knowledge of Sociology and Psychology is limited and basic. Have you got any suggestions on book titles for some better knowledge?

Jason

Reply 18

Acaila

17

I can't make it because I live right up in the north of Scotland so it would be very difficult to travel. I've had a look round some colleges with a friend who is a student there, plus I've been to an Oxbridge conference (and the lovely lot on this forum for advice).
I think my top two colleges atm are Robinson and Trinity Hall, but I'm edging towards Robinson. En suites and squirrels. Very good facilities and decent in take. Applicants to places is slightly below average, whereas at Tit Hall it's slightly above average.
Have I been putting in a lot of work? What makes you say that? :confused:

I wouldn't worry too much about not doing the subjects. I'm doing Maths, Computing and Geography this year coming :biggrin:

. That's probably going to take some explaining at interview.
I'm trying to find out about recommended reading myself actually. There was a thread with the first year reading list around somewhere but I haven't bothered looking for any books. Might read some political biographies though.

Reply 19

JMP

OP

2

It was your comment in the 'odd oxbridge questions' column or similar which made me think you clearly had a decent knowledge around the subjects.

I guess it's just me trying to make myself concerned, even though I haven't even written my PS yet - never mind got an interview :s.

Thougth about flying to Stansted then training to Cambridge?

If you do find any useful books would you mind PM'ing me?

Jason

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