Otago Halls of Residence

[Sofia]

Carrington vs. Knox

Could someone please tell me a bit more about the lifestyle at Carrington and Knox? i'm not quite sure which one to put as my first pref. I've read that Carrington is separated into different houses, does this mean you mainly get to know the people in your house or do you get to know everyone at Carrington like at Knox? I'd really like a place with the whole college/hall social atmosphere but at the same time obviously want to keep academics in mind.
Also do the HSFY tutorials really help or is it not really worth choosing a college based on those? Thank you!!

 

[stevo140]

Could someone please tell me a bit more about the lifestyle at Carrington and Knox? i'm not quite sure which one to put as my first pref. I've read that Carrington is separated into different houses, does this mean you mainly get to know the people in your house or do you get to know everyone at Carrington like at Knox? I'd really like a place with the whole college/hall social atmosphere but at the same time obviously want to keep academics in mind.
Also do the HSFY tutorials really help or is it not really worth choosing a college based on those? Thank you!!

Hi Sofia, I wouldn't choose a College based on the tutorials as a) there's often different tutors year to year and b) if you want to get into Med/Dent then it's up to you to put the individual work in.
I can't tell you too much about lifestyles at Carrington/Knox but from an outsider's and unbiased perspective: The flats at Carrington don't detract too much from the collegiality and community vibe. But you do get to know those in your flats quite well. You could always be in the main block anyway! That said, Knox is easier to get into than Carrington, especially with their new Head of College who doesn't select based on your parents' occupations or community status anymore.

 

[Sofia]

Hi Sofia, I wouldn't choose a College based on the tutorials as a) there's often different tutors year to year and b) if you want to get into Med/Dent then it's up to you to put the individual work in.
I can't tell you too much about lifestyles at Carrington/Knox but from an outsider's and unbiased perspective: The flats at Carrington don't detract too much from the collegiality and community vibe. But you do get to know those in your flats quite well. You could always be in the main block anyway! That said, Knox is easier to get into than Carrington, especially with their new Head of College who doesn't select based on your parents' occupations or community status anymore.

Thank you! Wow Knox actually selected people based on their parents occupations and status' ? :S Also do u know if Knox only take you if you put them as your first preference?

 

[ZOOBAT]

I remember last year I was in the same shoes as you, I didnt end us going to Otago but a couple of my friends did. They are all med and one dentistry, they are currently at: St Margarets, Knox, and aquinta's (or sumthing I cant remember)

I agree with stevo, its all up to you and the work you put in. All ma mates have had a blast and are looking good for admission. Although I have heard that some pretty strange stuff goes down in St Margarets...

 

[static]

Thank you! Wow Knox actually selected people based on their parents occupations and status' ? :S Also do u know if Knox only take you if you put them as your first preference?

Knox is one of the colleges that fills up on first preference I believe. There's a bunch of them like Selwyn, Carrington, St. Margs and a couple others.

 

[stevo140]

Thank you! Wow Knox actually selected people based on their parents occupations and status' ? :S Also do u know if Knox only take you if you put them as your first preference?

Historically, yes you do need to put them #1, but with their new Head of College he doesn't like the old-school style Knox kids so he may be looking at the waiting list to fill up the College. Also, Knox has decreased in popularity of recent years so if you did put them at number 2, then i don't think it's necessarily a wasted pick.

Based on this year, the Colleges that will fill up on the first round in 2014 are Arana, Carrington, St Margarets, Hayward, Selwyn. So it's not advisable to put them #2 or #3. That said, all the Colleges at Otago are excellent, far better than most other Residential Colleges in NZ. It's what you make of it!

 

[Squirrel]

Hi!

Applications open in less than a week so I just wanted to clarify some things.

I was thinking along the lines of #1 St. Margaret's, #2 Knox, #3 Unicol or some other 3rd pick hall. Is this a logical order?

Also, can anyone give me more insight about St. Margaret's? Why is St. Margaret's considered the 'odd one out'?

 

[frootloop]

Also, can anyone give me more insight about St. Margaret's? Why is St. Margaret's considered the 'odd one out'?

 

[Squirrel]

Are they really all like that?

 

[platonically yours]

Are they really all like that?

Of course not! Some of them are Asian too.

 

[frootloop]

Are they really all like that?

Most of the Smag's people in my class are lovely. They just tend not to be the 'party hard' types....

 

[Squirrel]

What is it about 'Smags' that attracts those kind of people?

Also back to my initial question: #1 St. Margaret's, #2 Knox, #3 Unicol or some other 3rd pick hall. Is this a logical order?

 

[Zion]

Could someone please tell me a bit more about the lifestyle at Carrington and Knox? i'm not quite sure which one to put as my first pref. I've read that Carrington is separated into different houses, does this mean you mainly get to know the people in your house or do you get to know everyone at Carrington like at Knox? I'd really like a place with the whole college/hall social atmosphere but at the same time obviously want to keep academics in mind.
Also do the HSFY tutorials really help or is it not really worth choosing a college based on those? Thank you!!

First years students are put into different houses at Knox, typically 12-18 per house (some houses have more than the other and some have less), but about a third of first years live in the Tower Block, together with the second years. You get to know the people in your house in the first night or even earlier. Knox is a very close and tight community, mainly because we have much more extra-curriculum stuff go on within the College than the other halls and also because we all have a common "enemy".

At Knox we usually do things together. I'm sure other first years here still remember how we came to the sport day in O Week and each of us had a brick with us. So yeah, if you like "hall social atmosphere", definitely consider Knox.

Also back to my initial question: #1 St. Margaret's, #2 Knox, #3 Unicol or some other 3rd pick hall. Is this a logical order?

It looks alright. However if I was you I would put Knox as first choice Depends on you to be honest, St.Margaret's has their own fun.

 

[Squirrel]

Thanks Zion!

I read further back in this thread, something to do with a new Master? And not only selecting 1st choice people? Do you have any knowledge on that matter? Also, Knox seems to be one of the furtherest located Hall compared to, for example, St. Mags, is it much of a hassle? How do most people get to their lectures, and how long does it take to get to lectures?

 

[rustyedges]

Thanks Zion!

I read further back in this thread, something to do with a new Master? And not only selecting 1st choice people? Do you have any knowledge on that matter? Also, Knox seems to be one of the furtherest located Hall compared to, for example, St. Mags, is it much of a hassle? How do most people get to their lectures, and how long does it take to get to lectures?

The number of places at Knox has increased, and next year there will be a higher ratio of freshers, so it is likely to be easier to get into it with it as your second preference. As for the new master, he'd be selecting people he thinks have "something to offer the college."
Being far away would only really be a hassle if you're running late, or had an evening lab or something, but it isn't too bad. Most people walk, and that takes about 15-20 minutes.
To be honest, the distance isn't really a big deal. You end up getting a spot of exercise early in the morning. For some people living closer, they roll straight out of bed and into lectures, and, at least for me, that could cause some focus issues.

 

[Zion]

Thanks Zion!

I read further back in this thread, something to do with a new Master? And not only selecting 1st choice people? Do you have any knowledge on that matter? Also, Knox seems to be one of the furtherest located Hall compared to, for example, St. Mags, is it much of a hassle? How do most people get to their lectures, and how long does it take to get to lectures?

What rustyedges said.

I think putting Knox as your second choice would probably get you in. As far as I know, the new master is looking for residents who can "provide their help to the community that we live within" (ie doing community services). So if you do a lot of community services or just any volunteering, definitely put them in. He does, however look into your sport, cultural and academic records as well, and almost everyone here at Knox (or at least the people I know) is good at something.
About distance, I'm afraid you would have to walk to lectures and labs, but we have shuttles going from Uni to Knox every hour after 7pm every weeknight so it's not that bad anymore.

 

[Squirrel]

How does the application process work?
As in, if I was to go with #1 St. Margaret's, #2 Knox and #3 Unicol, would I get offers from all 3 and accept the desired one? Or will I have to decline my #1 pick (St. Margaret's) in hopes to get into the #2 pick (Knox)?

 

[rustyedges]

Nope, you will get one offer at a time. This could be from anyone of your preferences, or possibly one you haven't even chosen. But obviously with a strong application it is more likely to be your first choice. Beware that if you decline your first choice, there is no guarantee that you will be offered a place at your next one. I think you even risk not getting an offer at all. Good luck

 

[stevo140]

What is it about 'Smags' that attracts those kind of people?

Pretty much everything about the College:
- ~85-90% Health Sci every year; all high achievers
- Pick people with musical/choir backgrounds
- Quiet and formal College. You can literally hear a pin drop and you'll get fined if you drop one!
- With Carrington the most successful HSFY Colleges in terms of Med/Dent acceptances
St Mags always fills up on the first round because there are plenty of people who fit right in to this niche. It's an excellent College if your only purpose of first year is to get into your professional program of choice and a bit of choir on the side.

 

[Squirrel]

- With Carrington the most successful HSFY Colleges in terms of Med/Dent acceptances

Just out of curiosity, which hall gets the most HSFY into med/dent? I've heard Knox, now Carrington. Is there any proving stats out there? It wouldn't really affect my choice of hall, as I believe it is up to the individual.