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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Original poster

Still waiting to hear from Durham

255 replies

ryansbeat · 12/01/2015 09:56

Would anyone like to join me in the wait to hear from Durham....feeling so stressed on DDs behalf as she is convinced that she won't get an offer (having been rejected by Oxford). I think that if she doesn't get an offer there she's going to take a year out and reapply....she says she'll be more upset to get rejected by Durham than Oxford. Just wish they would make a decision either way so she can plan ahead. Anyone else waiting to hear....why do they take so long?

OP posts:
grovel · 17/02/2015 17:13

If she's been allocated Aidans it's great!

Merrylegs · 17/02/2015 18:19

Ryansbeat, sporty and huge is exactly what DS wanted! He's got small and trad. Do you think there might be some swapping allowed at offer holder day?!

Laquila · 17/02/2015 18:42

Ruanabeat, has your DD got HB? It's a fantastic place, and I say that as an extremely non-sporty person :)

Colleges are very important but I honestly, in my 4 years at Durham, don't think I ever met more than one or two people who really disliked their college and left the uni because of it. Everyone just seems to find their niche at the college they've been allocated!

RandomFriend · 17/02/2015 19:00

DD has been allocated to Hatfield. Can anyone tell me anything about this?

GypsyFloss · 17/02/2015 19:21

DD emailed about transferring but they don't consider it unless you can offer medical/ similar reasons why they can't support your needs at their college , backed up by medical evidence.
She's spent all day researching her allocation and is happier about it now and has booked onto the second set of offer days.

Laquila · 17/02/2015 19:46

RandomFriend - Hatfield is stereotypically known as one of the more traditional, more "public school" colleges, and whilst it's true that stereotypes are based on fact, I had some perfectly "normal" friends at Hatfield who loved their time there. It has great college spirit and was renowned, in my day, for its winter ball. I also remember them being very good at hockey and rugby. This is all 12 years ago, mind!

grovel · 17/02/2015 20:04

By chance my DS just phoned. He left Durham in 2013. He "rated" Hatfield as a happy college. DS was up the hill.

Molio · 17/02/2015 20:17

My husband was at Hatfield in the olden days. The locals still like to stereotype it ('If they can't bring the pony they bring the porche' (not going to attempt Geordie dialect)). But it's a great college. I advised mine not to apply there only because the five in question were applying either for law or history and both departments were/are (were in the case of law) two inches away and I felt that might limit them socially and physically. Definitely a great allocation.

Original poster
ryansbeat · 18/02/2015 00:34

Worth a try Merrylegs! Although it does appear that people enjoy their time at Durham even if they don't get their first choice college. We found lots of college information on the Internet and feeling a lot more positive.

OP posts:
RandomFriend · 18/02/2015 15:19

Thanks to everyone who commented on Hatfield! I feel very encouraged to hear it described as great college spirit, happy, and a great allocation.

I have looked at a map, and Hatfield appears to be right in the centre of things, which would suit DD. What struck me on the website was that Hatfield has a jazzband comprised of Hatfielders (is that the correct collective term?) which would also suit DD.

DD was excited just to have received an allocation because it makes her feel very wanted. Perhaps I should arrange a visit.

Molio · 19/02/2015 00:06

Surely she should try to go on the 16th or 17th RF? Is she not able to?

RandomFriend · 19/02/2015 15:39

She has missed so much school with the Oxford application, I was resisting having her go anywhere until exams are over. And Newcastle/Durham is more complicated logistically. But you are right, Molio, she should go. I'll look into flights.

Molio · 19/02/2015 15:51

If Durham is her top choice and it's only about the college/ seeing what it's like then I really wouldn't feel under any pressure RF. The process of distributing applicants amongst colleges has become far more fluid recently but Hatfield has always been very one of the top colleges for oversubscription. It's a really, really popular one. Unless she has doubts about which uni to firm, or time isn't an issue, then I'd advise just staying home and getting on. Whatever makes her more comfortable - but I'd say she was very safe with Hatfield!

Molio · 19/02/2015 15:53

always been very one always been one of the very

KeyBored · 19/02/2015 16:05

Anyone else been allocated St John's? DS actually put it down as his preference, but is now worried about the costs of catered vs self-catering.

grovel · 19/02/2015 16:36

Isn't St John's the very Goddy college? Is your DS reading Theology?

GypsyFloss · 19/02/2015 16:38

DD's schoolmate is going there , he's doing something sciencey I think.

I'd imagine that a change in circumstances regarding the cost of sc vs fc would be an area in which they might perhaps consider offering an alternate college if they were approached?

RandomFriend · 19/02/2015 16:42

It is not so much about the college, Molio. It is about whether to do a BA in Music at Durham; or a BMus at KCL. The advantage of KCL/BMus is that she would have singing lessons with someone from either RAM or RCM (I cannot remember which). The advantage of Durham is that it is a proper (my word) academic degree from a very respected university.

The disadvantage of Durham is that is is very far from Heathrow/my family; the disadvantage of KCL is that London is much more expensive and BMus is is possibly more limiting in terms of future career?

That is it in short! Facetiously expressed but those are the dilemmas. Do you think the BMus vs BA Music warrants a thread?

Laquila · 19/02/2015 16:45

St Johns traditionally has a lot of theology students, and is very near that department. It's also quite a small college and in a great location. And their bar is very cosy, but no less fun for that!

Meandthecat · 19/02/2015 19:14

DS is in his second year, lived in the first year and now lives out with five others, all new mates made when living in. He still spends time at Grey college especially in the bar! Goes to the formals and is on JCR. He loves it there, so much so we don't see much of him but that's how it should be.

If anyone is interested there is a just giving page, raising money to make the river safer, after the recent sad news.

www.justgiving.com/yimby/SafetyForDurhamStudents

GypsyFloss · 19/02/2015 20:25

Dd is off to Grey Meandthecat We've spent hours this week watching YouTube videos of the jcr , the grey army and the cheerleaders Smile

Meandthecat · 19/02/2015 22:50

Thank you GypsyFloss for the you tube info, just seen Ds and his husts speech. He went back just after Christmas so it was lovely just to see him, we all miss having him around.
Hope your Dd enjoys it there, if you have any questions please ask, I can still remember the discussions on what he wanted to take with him and what I thought he should take when he first went away!

Molio · 19/02/2015 23:24

Yes incredibly sad Meandthecat. I checked the local news frequently for updates that week hoping for good news, though didn't expect it.

GypsyFloss · 20/02/2015 07:32

Thankyou. I suspect I will have loads of questions!

lalamumto3 · 20/02/2015 13:45

Hi DD is still waiting to hear, anyone else still waiting ?

Any words of wisdom ?