Which Durham college is best?

I recently received an offer from Durham and am now looking into the accom. Unlike all the other universities I applied for, Durham has multiple colleges and I am not sure what the benefits of each college is. (I missed the open day, planning on going on the offer holder days).
If anyone is considering Durham and has looked deeper into the colleges or are currently at Durham, any information on the colleges e.g. things to watch out for would be greatly
appreciated.

Hiya,
Congratulations on your Durham offer! 🎉
You’re definitely not alone, the college system can feel confusing at first, I remember feeling the exact same as you last year. I am in Van Mildert, and although it wasn't my first choice, I absolutely love it here - and you will find that the colleges are actually one of the best parts of Durham once you’re here.
At a basic level, your college is your main social and pastoral hub, not your academic department. Teaching is done centrally by your subject department, so colleges don’t affect the quality of teaching or your degree. There isn't specific colleges for certain degrees, and there will be students studying across all disciplines. You will get to meet so many new and diverse students.
Here are a few key things to know:
What colleges offer:

Differences between colleges
Colleges mainly differ in:

There’s no “best” college academically, and stereotypes are often exaggerated. What matters most is what you value (location, catering, budget, room type).
What I considered when choosing a college:
I decided whether I would prefer catered or self-catered, as this affects cost and lifestyle.
For me I definitely liked the Hill colleges more despite the slightly longer walk, but often newer rooms and great community vibes.
Offer Holder Days are really helpful for getting a feel for different colleges, so it’s great you’re planning to go. My advice is to narrow down your favourite colleges and aim to visit 4-5 you're considering.
Most people end up loving whichever college they’re allocated, even if it wasn’t their first choice (I certainly love mine!!) Durham students are very loyal to their colleges once they arrive.
I would check out the Durham website college pages in great detail here.
This undergraduate college guide here.
As well as this playlist of student blogs on colleges here.
If you have any preferences (budget, catered vs self-catered, subject, or whether you like being closer to town), feel free to ask and I can give more tailored advice. 😊
Best of luck in deciding! Remember it honestly doesn't matter as much as you think, and you will love your college regardless when you arrive in September! Enjoy the offer day visit.
-Lacey, DU Student Rep

Thank you for the rundown! This was very useful, have been researching the different colleges and plan to sign up for an offer holder day when the email gets sent through. My last question would be is the college decision system a first come first serve or is there a specific deadline. I ideally want to visit Durham and visit the colleges before going onto the student hub and putting down my preferences but is waiting going to reduce my chances of going to a college.
Thank you for your time, Hadley.