Final UK undergrad ranking is out as if last night (The Times)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is the housing/dorm situation at Durham? Old/new? Renovated/needs update? Near classes or not?

Sorry as I almost missed this one. We toured just Castle (University College) as this is their quintessential Durham college and hall. We walked but Jevons and tried to peak in….it looks like the rooms were more modern, but couldnt really see it. Jevons is Hatfield College. My son really liked the atmosphere and traditions at U College and Castle. We walked into two rooms (1 by accident). The one they showed us was obviously modernized and it looked great. The other one was larger (shown to us by a student) but it looked old… This is similar in vibe to St Salvator’s hall at St Andrews. But the collegiate system at Durham is really cool. But it is somewhat of a lottery as you have to list your preferences for Colleges and there are no guarantees…

[Anonymous]

At St Andrews it wasnt a fair comparison. We got lucky with sunny weather and the dorms were not official tours. But we a friend of ours introduced us to a couple whose kid is finishing up his 1st year and he was kind enough to show us his shared room at McIntosh and his friend’s room at St Salvator’s. Incredibly enough both were in their 3rd or 4th floors and they were both facing the ocean..….And what a view that was. Incredible. Hard to beat that view.

In the end he liked the collegiate system better at Durham, but liked the two dorms at St Andrews the best given their locations. But again, he has not decided yet and at both places, there are no guarantees of what College or accommodation halls you will end up at.

[Anonymous]

At least at StA, possibly also elsewhere, university housing is somewhat limited and rentals are pricey. So any student going there needs to focus early on lining up the next year's university housing.

I don't understand the specifics of the process, but UK unis do not remind students about administrative deadlines for matters like housing.

[Anonymous]

I have been to the UK many times. I have never had the good weather described. More usually, it is somewhat cloudy, cool, damp, with a breeze. Just an FYI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the housing/dorm situation at Durham? Old/new? Renovated/needs update? Near classes or not?

Sorry as I almost missed this one. We toured just Castle (University College) as this is their quintessential Durham college and hall. We walked but Jevons and tried to peak in….it looks like the rooms were more modern, but couldnt really see it. Jevons is Hatfield College. My son really liked the atmosphere and traditions at U College and Castle. We walked into two rooms (1 by accident). The one they showed us was obviously modernized and it looked great. The other one was larger (shown to us by a student) but it looked old… This is similar in vibe to St Salvator’s hall at St Andrews. But the collegiate system at Durham is really cool. But it is somewhat of a lottery as you have to list your preferences for Colleges and there are no guarantees…

Very helpful. Thanks. Less about Durham shows up on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been to the UK many times. I have never had the good weather described. More usually, it is somewhat cloudy, cool, damp, with a breeze. Just an FYI.

Are you implied I lied or that we got lucky? Just go back and look at the weather last week….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least at StA, possibly also elsewhere, university housing is somewhat limited and rentals are pricey. So any student going there needs to focus early on lining up the next year's university housing.

I don't understand the specifics of the process, but UK unis do not remind students about administrative deadlines for matters like housing.

The reality is different. Unless you are applying as a second or third or 4th year to stay in uni housing, you will likely not get any rentals in town until the summer. There is no planning ahead. Those units only become available in the summer as students move out….I don’t like it. But that is how it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been to the UK many times. I have never had the good weather described. More usually, it is somewhat cloudy, cool, damp, with a breeze. Just an FYI.

Are you implied I lied or that we got lucky? Just go back and look at the weather last week….

No suggestion of lying. Post at 23:04 said "got lucky" with weather at StA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least at StA, possibly also elsewhere, university housing is somewhat limited and rentals are pricey. So any student going there needs to focus early on lining up the next year's university housing.

I don't understand the specifics of the process, but UK unis do not remind students about administrative deadlines for matters like housing.

The reality is different. Unless you are applying as a second or third or 4th year to stay in uni housing, you will likely not get any rentals in town until the summer. There is no planning ahead. Those units only become available in the summer as students move out….I don’t like it. But that is how it is.

Was suggesting that to avoid _needing_ (expensive) private housing, student needs to stay on top of deadlines for getting the university housing.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely yes. If your kid wants to stay in university housing you have to be willing to play attention to deadlines and commit. You can’t change your mind later. You can, but it will be costly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At least at StA, possibly also elsewhere, university housing is somewhat limited and rentals are pricey. So any student going there needs to focus early on lining up the next year's university housing.

I don't understand the specifics of the process, but UK unis do not remind students about administrative deadlines for matters like housing.

I dont have the numbers but the vast majority of second years simply go off campus for housing in year 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At St Andrews it wasnt a fair comparison. We got lucky with sunny weather and the dorms were not official tours. But we a friend of ours introduced us to a couple whose kid is finishing up his 1st year and he was kind enough to show us his shared room at McIntosh and his friend’s room at St Salvator’s. Incredibly enough both were in their 3rd or 4th floors and they were both facing the ocean..….And what a view that was. Incredible. Hard to beat that view.

In the end he liked the collegiate system better at Durham, but liked the two dorms at St Andrews the best given their locations. But again, he has not decided yet and at both places, there are no guarantees of what College or accommodation halls you will end up at.

McIntosh and Sallies (St Salvator’s) are arguably the most desirable dorms if your kid is willing to share a room. The rooms are hit or miss. Some a really small others are super large. But location wise, you cant beat Sallies. McIntosh is also a great spot. I think those are the only two dorms you have rooms with views of the ocean.

[Anonymous]

St.Andrews makes people jealous for some reason but its as good as Oxford and Cambridge for many majors.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do overseas school for 18 year olds. Covid and war type things are scary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St.Andrews makes people jealous for some reason but its as good as Oxford and Cambridge for many majors.

No one is jealous, just exhausted by delusional boosting like this.