Halls...

[Genna]

Need some advice again! So having got my offer for St.Andrews, do I apply for halls now even though its a conditional? Do they allocate you a hall before you get your exam results?

[SchizophrenicCabbage]

From memory, I think they'll send you an application form in the post in a few weeks. You won't find out what halls you're in until after results come out in August. However, if you already had your results, you would find out a lot quicker.

[SchizophrenicCabbage]

Oh sorry, just re-read your post.

1) I think they'll send you the form once you've confirmed that they are your first/second choice university.

2) I'd go catered, at least. For me, I thought a large halls and not e.g. Fife or Albany would be better as there seemed like there would be more chance to meet people. You can either ask on your form to be put in a certain hall or even name someone you might know who is also coming to St.Andrews and ask to share a room with them.

[pgm9]

When I had my conditional offer applying from 5th year you still had to apply. You have to apply regardless by the deadline for accomodation so that you are guranteed a place in halls. They keep it on hold until you receive your exam results in August. Once your place is confirmed they then process it and allocate it. I think I received my contract about 2 weeks after I had my offer confirmed.

[Genna]

Yeah I was a bit worried I'd be put in Fife park or Gatty and wouldn't meet anyone! I'd prefer to have self-catered ( cheaper!) but again, not sure if part of the socialising where you meet people is actually during meals....

[kimando]

I've been in Fife Park for the past 3 years, I even requested it for my first year. I'll agree that it can be harder to meet people, but I made amazing friends there. Fife Park has 6 rooms per house, and if you are allocated in a house with 5 other nice people you will have a good year. And save yourself some money too, at ~£50 per week inc. bills and fast internet.

[Freaker]

A surprising amount of socialising in the bigger halls happens around mealtime - not only because you sit and eat with people and get to chat with them, but also because it makes everyone come together three times a day. Unlike Gatty or Albany, the centre of the community is all hall-residents, and not just your flat. It is a whole lot easier to get to know people that way, and by just popping by their rooms on your floor, etc.

I lived in a catered hall in my first year, and then moved out to Albany in my second year, which I enjoyed a lot (and it was a lot cheaper) - but I never would have wanted to miss the fun I had in first year in good old Hamilton Hall.

Quoting Genna from 22:49, 1st Feb 2008
Yeah I was a bit worried I'd be put in Fife park or Gatty and wouldn't meet anyone! I'd prefer to have self-catered ( cheaper!) but again, not sure if part of the socialising where you meet people is actually during meals....

[hr]

I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.