The Student Room Group

Getting a catered college durham without a proper medical record?

Hi! I just got one of my durham offers (I've applied for history and politics and just politics) and I ranked all the catered colleges first and all the non catered colleges after. I've had issues with disordered eating in the past that I didn't go through camhs for and just dealt with in the family and with a programme at school, and because of that I really want a college that is catered so I have to go to 3 meals a day. I've seen some people getting self catered even when they've ranked all catered first, and that you can only ask for a swap with medical records? I was wondering if I explained this to them would it count as a medical reason even without a doctors note or anything?

Thanks.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! I just got one of my durham offers (I've applied for history and politics and just politics) and I ranked all the catered colleges first and all the non catered colleges after. I've had issues with disordered eating in the past that I didn't go through camhs for and just dealt with in the family and with a programme at school, and because of that I really want a college that is catered so I have to go to 3 meals a day. I've seen some people getting self catered even when they've ranked all catered first, and that you can only ask for a swap with medical records? I was wondering if I explained this to them would it count as a medical reason even without a doctors note or anything?
Thanks.

There's no point in pre-empting the whole issue, which might not arise, by trying to bend the system. You've got plenty of time to get the evidence now, and then submit it if you need.
Reply 2
Original post by threeportdrift
There's no point in pre-empting the whole issue, which might not arise, by trying to bend the system. You've got plenty of time to get the evidence now, and then submit it if you need.

I just wanted to know if me telling them this as a reason would be good enough and if anyones had an experience like this to know wether ill need to try and get some evidence since it could take time.
Original post by miac16
I just wanted to know if me telling them this as a reason would be good enough and if anyones had an experience like this to know wether ill need to try and get some evidence since it could take time.

But that's what you've already heard isn't it? It might take time, but all the more reason to start now. It doesn't make sense to box yourself into a corner and make the situation potentially harder, when you can begin solving it now. If they want evidence, then you need to get evidence, and of course that makes your case much stronger.
Reply 4
It seems a bit early to be ranking colleges tbh and weren’t there rumours the allocation process was going to change again?

If allocation hasn’t changed - the best way to ensure you are initially allocated a catered college would be to not put the most popular colleges - Castle, Chads, Collingwood and St Mary’s in the top four slots. Maybe use 2 possibly 3 slots (very unlikely you will get either Castle or Chads unless it is first), but then fill the other top ranks with your choice of catered hill colleges or Hatfield. St John’s is very small so include that in the stop 2/3 slots if you like it. I haven’t included St Cuths as I don’t know how the allocation works between the Bailey and the Parson’s Field rooms and I also don’t know what the current Hild Bede situation is.
Reply 5
Original post by Sheppi
It seems a bit early to be ranking colleges tbh and weren’t there rumours the allocation process was going to change again?
If allocation hasn’t changed - the best way to ensure you are initially allocated a catered college would be to not put the most popular colleges - Castle, Chads, Collingwood and St Mary’s in the top four slots. Maybe use 2 possibly 3 slots (very unlikely you will get either Castle or Chads unless it is first), but then fill the other top ranks with your choice of catered hill colleges or Hatfield. St John’s is very small so include that in the stop 2/3 slots if you like it. I haven’t included St Cuths as I don’t know how the allocation works between the Bailey and the Parson’s Field rooms and I also don’t know what the current Hild Bede situation is.

I've had an offer and got the option to rank them on the student portal so I did in case it was better to get it done quick. The top 5 I put were St Chads, St Mary's, St John's, University, Hatfield and then the rest of the catered. Do you think there's a decent chance of me getting at least one of them? Sorry I have no clue how any of this works x
Reply 6
In any position other than 1st Castle is pretty much a waste of rank. Pick your favourite of Grey, Trevs, VM and Aidens and have that in your top 5. It is not first come first served at Durham so there is no hurry plus there will be offer holder days when you can visit the colleges. As I said before the allocation process may well be changed for this year - reading this carefully and luck is key.
Original post by Anonymous
Hi! I just got one of my durham offers (I've applied for history and politics and just politics) and I ranked all the catered colleges first and all the non catered colleges after. I've had issues with disordered eating in the past that I didn't go through camhs for and just dealt with in the family and with a programme at school, and because of that I really want a college that is catered so I have to go to 3 meals a day. I've seen some people getting self catered even when they've ranked all catered first, and that you can only ask for a swap with medical records? I was wondering if I explained this to them would it count as a medical reason even without a doctors note or anything?
Thanks.

Hello!

Although I am not aware of Durham's process for allocating accommodation for this year, last year when I applied they did ask me in my college accommodation form if I had any medical conditions, food allergies or other considerations that the university should be made aware of. If Durham's still using the same process this year, I believe you can inform them of your history through this (as far as I am aware, they usually ask for medical records but I am sure they will try to work something out for your situation!).

I would also recommend that if your preliminary allocation to a college is self-catered one, you should immediately contact the Accommodation and Allocations Office (their contact details was in my preliminary allocation email that I received. If they are not for you, I'd recommend contacting the university switchboard instead T: +44 (0)191 334 2000) and inform them as well so that they can reassign you to a different college. It is possible for your college to be changed up until A Level results day so I am sure something can be figured out :smile:

I hope you get one of your preferred colleges!
Best,
Lesath (DU Rep.)
Original post by DurhamRep Lesath
Hello!
Although I am not aware of Durham's process for allocating accommodation for this year, last year when I applied they did ask me in my college accommodation form if I had any medical conditions, food allergies or other considerations that the university should be made aware of. If Durham's still using the same process this year, I believe you can inform them of your history through this (as far as I am aware, they usually ask for medical records but I am sure they will try to work something out for your situation!).
I would also recommend that if your preliminary allocation to a college is self-catered one, you should immediately contact the Accommodation and Allocations Office (their contact details was in my preliminary allocation email that I received. If they are not for you, I'd recommend contacting the university switchboard instead T: +44 (0)191 334 2000) and inform them as well so that they can reassign you to a different college. It is possible for your college to be changed up until A Level results day so I am sure something can be figured out :smile:
I hope you get one of your preferred colleges!
Best,
Lesath (DU Rep.)

Hello Again,

I've got a bit more information for you about making college transfer requests.
I would recommend checking out Durham's process for College Transfer Requests here, and as far as I can tell, you do likely need to have some sort of medical evidence to transfer colleges.

Again, I really would recommend liaising with the university directly about this so that they can let you know how they can help you :smile:

Lesath

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