Otago Halls of Residence

[Lego Man]

Hi Guys! I don't know if this thread is still active or not but ive spent literally all today reading all 138 pages and this thread has really given me insight to what colleges I would like to stay at for next year.
Basically, im thinking of having
1. Knox
2. Hayward
3. Cumberland Collage

I havent seen anyone mention exchanges, so I was wondering if they would help me get into a college, specifically knox. I was hoping it would show cultural success? idk. But last year, in L2, I spent 6 months on a high school exchange in America. I got l1 with excellence, however, since i was away for half of last year, I only got l2 with merit. DO you think this will impact my ability to get into Knox or Hayward? I don't have much extra curriculars. Only 1 or 2 school groups that i just help in - im not a leader or anything.
So what do you guys think. Do you think my exchange is good enough to get me into my choices?

Hi Poisonivy,

Welcome to MSO btw!

The hall administration staff look across a wide range of attributes when deciding whether a person should be offered a place or not. Only one of these is academic achievement; others could include leadership skills, cultural skills, sporting success ect. Hostel staff do not only seek students who have the highest grades; they also seek to ensure their halls have a diverse student base and that everyone more-or-less is able to settle in to the hall environment as opposed to creating an environment of only high-achievers. Many factors come in to play.

I would definitely recommend mentioning your exchange if you are able to: exchange trips show initiative and leadership potential; they offer students insights into other cultures; they allow you to find your way and live in an environment that is totally unfamiliar to you (similarly to a hostel); and they provide personal skills and experience that you may not otherwise have the opportunity to develop. In my opinion (I have no affiliation with halls though lol), you'd have the potential to gain more from an exchange trip overseas than you would by gaining an Excellence endorsement over a Merit endorsement at Level 2.

I think it has potential, and given the above I'd definitely include it. Whether or not an exchange trip will "get you in" can't really be answered. However, those who choose spots at hostels have most likely done this for years, I'd be confident that they'd be able to recognise the benefits of doing an exchange trip

Good luck!! I hope you get some good news towards the end of the year.

-LM

 

[Zion]

Hi Guys! I don't know if this thread is still active or not but ive spent literally all today reading all 138 pages and this thread has really given me insight to what colleges I would like to stay at for next year.
Basically, im thinking of having
1. Knox
2. Hayward
3. Cumberland Collage

I havent seen anyone mention exchanges, so I was wondering if they would help me get into a college, specifically knox. I was hoping it would show cultural success? idk. But last year, in L2, I spent 6 months on a high school exchange in America. I got l1 with excellence, however, since i was away for half of last year, I only got l2 with merit. DO you think this will impact my ability to get into Knox or Hayward? I don't have much extra curriculars. Only 1 or 2 school groups that i just help in - im not a leader or anything.
So what do you guys think. Do you think my exchange is good enough to get me into my choices?

Hi poisonivy,

I'm not sure about Hayward or Cumberland but Knox definitely looks at the kind of diversity that you would bring to the College (it's even mentioned in the Student Handbook, I think). So do mention the exchange in your application, along with what you did during your time in America, it would give you a great advantage. I wouldn't be too worried about the Level 2 achievement, as long as you get good and solid grades in Year 13, Level 2 wouldn't be too relevant (plus Level 2 with Merit isn't that horrible anyway). Extracurricular activities are really important at Knox as we compete for the Cameron Shield and Neville Cup with Selwyn, but it's not the end of the world if you don't have that many extracurricular activities.

Out of curiosity, why do you choose Knox?

 

[poisonivy]

Thanks LegoMan and Zion. Knox just stood out to me over the other halls. It's got a really beautiful building, and I like walking, so I don't mind it being so far away. I also want a hall with a good party atmosphere - im good at studying in any environment, so im not too concerned about being in a quiet hall. And I like the idea of traditions and stuff at Knox. I have a few cousins who were in that hall and they told me all about it - although i've heard that in the last couple of years alot of those have gone away. I did some community work in my town in America - alot actually because there was nothing else to do lol - and some sport with the school. However, I can't get a reference or anything to back that up. Will that matter?

 

[bninibibi]

Hi guys,
Just wanted some more info on whether the distance away from the uni is an issue when staying at carrington? I'm considering applying for carrington, arana or st margarets for my first choice but carrington seems like a good balance of the other two because I'm quite quiet but want a good mix of study and fun.

 

[inflow]

Hi guys,
Just wanted some more info on whether the distance away from the uni is an issue when staying at carrington? I'm considering applying for carrington, arana or st margarets for my first choice but carrington seems like a good balance of the other two because I'm quite quiet but want a good mix of study and fun.

It is literally two minutes walk. There is NO issue in distance. Carrington is the best hall by far (no bias).

 

[stevo140]

It is literally two minutes walk. There is NO issue in distance. Carrington is the best hall by far (no bias).

I can confirm that Carrington is an excellent Hall and it should meet your needs based on what you're looking for Laura!

Inflow, we try not to say particular Halls are overall the "best" in this forum as every Hall is different and no one Hall is for every individual.

Laura, just be careful when making your picks. If you have Arana, Carrington and St Margarets as your top 3 picks, then you're virtually wasting your 2nd and 3rd picks. All those colleges usually fill up in the 1st round so they don't need to look at #2s and #3s. That said, St Margaret's is declining in popularity so you might be OK with them.
If you're after a College with a good study/fun balance and a quiet atmosphere, you could also try Te Rangi Hiroa or Aquinas. Aquinas doesn't fit your requirement with being close but they provide free shuttles every half hour so it's no problem. Te Rangi is the new College and you will pay a bit extra as they have ensuites for every bedroom. I've heard it's not that friendly there however.

 

[sweetangel99]

Hello there!

I am looking into Otago residential halls too - for HSFY, and am so confused between 4 halls!
In no particular order: Cumberland, Hayward, St Margaret's, and Te Rangi Hiroa.

My thoughts so far:
(All provide single-sex areas, disability facilities (yes, I am disabled -no wheelchair or crutches though, just a limp that makes it difficult for me to climb up stairs, especially stairs without a rail).

Cumberland: nice and friendly environment, moderately Academic, and heaps of rooms -so a good back up - have no idea of the bathroom situation! :/

Hayward: Big rooms! Bathrooms are stated to be accessible for disabled students, and have lifts. moderately Academic.

St Margaret's: Exception - no single sex areas or alcohol areas...Expensive too, but has great academic standards and reputation! Good bathroom accessibility too (although not communal)

Te Rangi Hiroa: Ensuite bathrooms!!! Has alcohol free areas too! I'm not Maori or Caucasian... don't if they have mostly Maori students - if they did, I wouldn't mind, but it would be hard to fit in and hard to feel like I belong...

So my priorities now are:
1. St Margaret's (Expenses and single sex issues.... :/) / Te Rangi Hiroa (If they are multicultural)
2. Hayward
3. Cumberland.

So my question is do you thing my non-finalized list is appropriate? What do you think?

Is it worth putting St Margaret's first despite the single sex issues and the cost? Especially knowing the risk of possibly not getting in because of it being so competitive. Because if I put it first, I lose my chance at other colleges like Te Rangi Hiroa -because they'd fill up!!

I just have Cumberland as a back up too... not really that keen on it. So what order do you think is better? :/

I am looking mainly into Dentistry as a future careers, or medicine otherwise. So I really need to be able to concentrate in my first year!
I am not at all a party type person. I am a prefect, have volunteered in several places, am a leader of the SADD committee, a Head librarian, and also am a co-leader of a cultural group. (Have done debating, choir, peer mediation, and peer support too!)

 

[stevo140]

Hello there!

I am looking into Otago residential halls too - for HSFY, and am so confused between 4 halls!
In no particular order: Cumberland, Hayward, St Margaret's, and Te Rangi Hiroa.

My thoughts so far:
(All provide single-sex areas, disability facilities (yes, I am disabled -no wheelchair or crutches though, just a limp that makes it difficult for me to climb up stairs, especially stairs without a rail).

Cumberland: nice and friendly environment, moderately Academic, and heaps of rooms -so a good back up - have no idea of the bathroom situation! :/

Hayward: Big rooms! Bathrooms are stated to be accessible for disabled students, and have lifts. moderately Academic.

St Margaret's: Exception - no single sex areas or alcohol areas...Expensive too, but has great academic standards and reputation! Good bathroom accessibility too (although not communal)

Te Rangi Hiroa: Ensuite bathrooms!!! Has alcohol free areas too! I'm not Maori or Caucasian... don't if they have mostly Maori students - if they did, I wouldn't mind, but it would be hard to fit in and hard to feel like I belong...

So my priorities now are:
1. St Margaret's (Expenses and single sex issues.... :/) / Te Rangi Hiroa (If they are multicultural)
2. Hayward
3. Cumberland.

So my question is do you thing my non-finalized list is appropriate? What do you think?

Is it worth putting St Margaret's first despite the single sex issues and the cost? Especially knowing the risk of possibly not getting in because of it being so competitive. Because if I put it first, I lose my chance at other colleges like Te Rangi Hiroa -because they'd fill up!!

I just have Cumberland as a back up too... not really that keen on it. So what order do you think is better? :/

I am looking mainly into Dentistry as a future careers, or medicine otherwise. So I really need to be able to concentrate in my first year!
I am not at all a party type person. I am a prefect, have volunteered in several places, am a leader of the SADD committee, a Head librarian, and also am a co-leader of a cultural group. (Have done debating, choir, peer mediation, and peer support too!)

Hi SweetAngel!
Don't worry about Te Rangi Hiroa being for Maori students, I understand they're only at around the 20% mark (compared to other Colleges at around 7 or 8%). Their staff aren't Maori either so fitting in will be no problem. They're about 3 blocks from Uni though, and 5 blocks from St Davids (where most HSFY lectures are held). Is that too far to walk for you? Cumberland and Hayward are a bit closer.
Also don't worry about St Mags having no alcohol free areas, there's very little drinking happening there anyway. The single sex option isn't that important either as St Mags is around 70% female I've heard.
Based on your needs/desires, I would think twice about Cumberland. It's probably one of the highest party culture halls, though i understand the current management is opposed to that. That said, it would be a safe backup option as it's not very popular, though Te Rangi Hiroa wasn't popular last year either.

Hope this helps!

 

[sweetangel99]

Hi SweetAngel!
Don't worry about Te Rangi Hiroa being for Maori students, I understand they're only at around the 20% mark (compared to other Colleges at around 7 or 8%). Their staff aren't Maori either so fitting in will be no problem. They're about 3 blocks from Uni though, and 5 blocks from St Davids (where most HSFY lectures are held). Is that too far to walk for you? Cumberland and Hayward are a bit closer.
Also don't worry about St Mags having no alcohol free areas, there's very little drinking happening there anyway. The single sex option isn't that important either as St Mags is around 70% female I've heard.
Based on your needs/desires, I would think twice about Cumberland. It's probably one of the highest party culture halls, though i understand the current management is opposed to that. That said, it would be a safe backup option as it's not very popular, though Te Rangi Hiroa wasn't popular last year either.

Hope this helps!

Hello Stevo140,
Thank you for your views on the various halls! Much apprecited!

I am well assured about Te Rangi Hiroa now, thank you. However how far exactly is 5 blocks? :/ Because in the prospectus it said 5mins away (which would mean 7/10mins away for me which i don't mind )

Haha and St Margaret's sounds awesome too, so now again its a battle between Great facilities (Te Rangi Hiroa) and Academic support/reputation (St Margaret's)! :/

What do you think of Hayward? It possibly can't be a back up because its smaller compared to Cumberland and bigger halls. It can be a good 2nd though.

Also Cumberland being the highest party cultured halls!? I'm surprised, i thought Unicol was. But yea I was never keen on Cumberland anyway so it would make a good back up.

Which order would you put it in if you were me?

Your opinions are well appreciated and useful for me!
Thanks!

 

[Zion]

Hello Stevo140,
Thank you for your views on the various halls! Much apprecited!

I am well assured about Te Rangi Hiroa now, thank you. However how far exactly is 5 blocks? :/ Because in the prospectus it said 5mins away (which would mean 7/10mins away for me which i don't mind )

Haha and St Margaret's sounds awesome too, so now again its a battle between Great facilities (Te Rangi Hiroa) and Academic support/reputation (St Margaret's)! :/

What do you think of Hayward? It possibly can't be a back up because its smaller compared to Cumberland and bigger halls. It can be a good 2nd though.

Also Cumberland being the highest party cultured halls!? I'm surprised, i thought Unicol was. But yea I was never keen on Cumberland anyway so it would make a good back up.

Which order would you put it in if you were me?

Your opinions are well appreciated and useful for me!
Thanks!

Based on what you wrote here I think Salmond would make a pretty good 3rd choice for you. It's pretty quiet and the facilities there are decent. The only problem would be that it's 15 minutes walking away from uni but it has shuttles going from uni back in the afternoon. Hayward has slowly become one of the top halls so it might be a little risky to put it 2nd though. Te Rangi Hiroa would make a great 2nd choice, I guess since it's relatively new. So if I was you I would have:

1. St Margaret
2. Te Rangi Hiroa/Hayward
3. Cumberland or Salmond if you liked the sound of it.

 

[sweetangel99]

Based on what you wrote here I think Salmond would make a pretty good 3rd choice for you. It's pretty quiet and the facilities there are decent. The only problem would be that it's 15 minutes walking away from uni but it has shuttles going from uni back in the afternoon. Hayward has slowly become one of the top halls so it might be a little risky to put it 2nd though. Te Rangi Hiroa would make a great 2nd choice, I guess since it's relatively new. So if I was you I would have:

1. St Margaret
2. Te Rangi Hiroa/Hayward
3. Cumberland or Salmond if you liked the sound of it.

Thank you Zion for your views!

I now think St Margaret is gonna be my first priority. I have emailed them, and they have assured me that the can put my in the Clyde wing or on ground floors of other wings so I wouldn't have difficulties with stairs. Also I described to them about me, and asked if they thought I would have a chance, they said "You look like a good candidate, but it would be best to put on your application that you need to be on the ground floor because of mobility." So after reading this I'm assured I can apply to St Margaret's as my first.

For my second option I'm keen on Te Rangi Hiroa, because from what I've heard Hayward will be filled in no time! So hopefully Te Rangi Hiroa maintains its low popularity (for this year at least) because of it being new so it can be my second back up!

Thirdly I am gonna have to stick with Cumberland, Sorry! Salmond sounds awesome too but the distance....and the shuttles I think are arranged for the evening only, and my parents are really keen on Cumberland.

Thanks so much! I've finally got them in order! (I really like Hayward....but it doesn't fit in with my sequence, so, no.)

1. St Margaret's - 224 rooms
2. Te Rangi Hiroa -126 rooms
3. Cumberland -327 rooms

If you guys have any better ways to arrange these please let me know (If i could possibly put in Hayward instead of Cumberland?)

Thanks for your help!

 

[stevo140]

Thank you Zion for your views!

I now think St Margaret is gonna be my first priority. I have emailed them, and they have assured me that the can put my in the Clyde wing or on ground floors of other wings so I wouldn't have difficulties with stairs. Also I described to them about me, and asked if they thought I would have a chance, they said "You look like a good candidate, but it would be best to put on your application that you need to be on the ground floor because of mobility." So after reading this I'm assured I can apply to St Margaret's as my first.

For my second option I'm keen on Te Rangi Hiroa, because from what I've heard Hayward will be filled in no time! So hopefully Te Rangi Hiroa maintains its low popularity (for this year at least) because of it being new so it can be my second back up!

Thirdly I am gonna have to stick with Cumberland, Sorry! Salmond sounds awesome too but the distance....and the shuttles I think are arranged for the evening only, and my parents are really keen on Cumberland.

Thanks so much! I've finally got them in order! (I really like Hayward....but it doesn't fit in with my sequence, so, no.)

1. St Margaret's - 224 rooms
2. Te Rangi Hiroa -126 rooms
3. Cumberland -327 rooms

If you guys have any better ways to arrange these please let me know (If i could possibly put in Hayward instead of Cumberland?)

Thanks for your help!

Just remember, sweetangel, that when you said you wanted a study/fun balance, I would say that St Margaret's probably has the least fun of any College. Very formal, very quiet and very academic oriented. I know some people who really haven't enjoyed it there...but then others have
They also have old bedrooms in the main block which aren't in great condition compared to a lot of other Colleges who have had recent redevelopments.
Sorry to make things more confusing!

 

[frootloop]

Just remember, sweetangel, that when you said you wanted a study/fun balance, I would say that St Margaret's probably has the least fun of any College. Very formal, very quiet and very academic oriented. I know some people who really haven't enjoyed it there...but then others have

(Stevo, I know you know this, I'm just clarifying for the young 'uns)

By 'least fun of any college' I'm pretty sure he just means the least drinking. And even then that's debatable, the 2nd year SMags crew in my year were pretty rowdy haha. But yeah, the fact that it's a less-alcoholic college than some of the others, doesn't mean you wouldn't have fun there.

They have a slushy machine. How can a college with a slushy machine not be fun

 

[Voldemort]

[OFFTOPIC]

They have a slushy machine. How can a college with a slushy machine not be fun

*Heavy breathing* [/OFFTOPIC]

 

[sweetangel99]

Just remember, sweetangel, that when you said you wanted a study/fun balance, I would say that St Margaret's probably has the least fun of any College. Very formal, very quiet and very academic oriented. I know some people who really haven't enjoyed it there...but then others have
They also have old bedrooms in the main block which aren't in great condition compared to a lot of other Colleges who have had recent redevelopments.
Sorry to make things more confusing!

Haha thanks Stevo140! Don't worry I'm still slightly confused anyway!
So now I asked someone whose at Otago currently, about the new college. She said its close to New Wold, and also has decent rooms and a decent reputation at present. (Don't forget the ensuite bathrooms (y))

And since the battle is between St. Margaret's and the new college, her statement just upped the new college! So now I think Te Rangi Hiroa should be first and I should forget about St Margarets..... :/ since as you say the rooms are old (so maybe more colder?). Maybe 1. Te Rangi Hiroa 2. St Margaret's/Hayward 3.Cumberland. (I know i probs shouldn't put St M and Hay at 2nd place they'd get filled first).

Still confused,
Help me decide!!!

Thanks!

 

[sweetangel99]

(Stevo, I know you know this, I'm just clarifying for the young 'uns)

By 'least fun of any college' I'm pretty sure he just means the least drinking. And even then that's debatable, the 2nd year SMags crew in my year were pretty rowdy haha. But yeah, the fact that it's a less-alcoholic college than some of the others, doesn't mean you wouldn't have fun there.

They have a slushy machine. How can a college with a slushy machine not be fun

Hey Frootloop!
Oh....I see what 'least fun of any college' means. Well then I guess I wouldn't be affected much by how fun it is or it isn't! Thanks Frootloop for clarifying, I am the young 'uns) And Slushy machine?! Woah cool!

 

[Zion]

Haha thanks Stevo140! Don't worry I'm still slightly confused anyway!
So now I asked someone whose at Otago currently, about the new college. She said its close to New Wold, and also has decent rooms and a decent reputation at present. (Don't forget the ensuite bathrooms (y))

And since the battle is between St. Margaret's and the new college, her statement just upped the new college! So now I think Te Rangi Hiroa should be first and I should forget about St Margarets..... :/ since as you say the rooms are old (so maybe more colder?). Maybe 1. Te Rangi Hiroa 2. St Margaret's/Hayward 3.Cumberland. (I know i probs shouldn't put St M and Hay at 2nd place they'd get filled first).

Still confused,
Help me decide!!!

Thanks!

The closest New World is about 15 minutes walking from St Margaret's so yes, that is definitely something to consider. There is really no point of putting St Margaret's second so you might as well put Hayward second since there is more chance of you getting into Hayward as your 2nd option than St Margaret's.

 

[sweetangel99]

The closest New World is about 15 minutes walking from St Margaret's so yes, that is definitely something to consider. There is really no point of putting St Margaret's second so you might as well put Hayward second since there is more chance of you getting into Hayward as your 2nd option than St Margaret's.

Thanks Zion,
I think thats right, and so i'm gonna stick to this one:
1. St Margaret's
2. Te Rangi Hiroa
3. Cumberland
Sounds like the best way to put em down so far.

 

[bninibibi]

Thanks stevo140 for your reply only checked back on this thread today. I really like the thought of Carrington or St Margarets for my first choice but am a little stuck for second choice halls :/ . I think Studholme would be nice for a second choice but am unsure if it is a safe choice because I'm unsure of its popularity/ if it's mostly first choice etc. For third choice halls is it mainly limited to Unicol and aquinas?

 

[stevo140]

Thanks stevo140 for your reply only checked back on this thread today. I really like the thought of Carrington or St Margarets for my first choice but am a little stuck for second choice halls :/ . I think Studholme would be nice for a second choice but am unsure if it is a safe choice because I'm unsure of its popularity/ if it's mostly first choice etc. For third choice halls is it mainly limited to Unicol and aquinas?

Hey Laura,

Studholme is a solid #2 pick. They mostly fill up after the first round but there are usually a few spots available. I think there's about 6 Colleges that you could safely put at #3 and still have a chance: Unicol, Cumberland, Toroa, Aquinas, Salmond, City College.

Of those 6 Colleges, they're quite different. Unicol and Cumberland are the biggest two Colleges and therefore the noisiest. Toroa and Aquinas are two of the smaller Colleges and therefore fairly quiet. Note you have to walk to the Uni to get your meals if you're staying at Toroa. Salmond and City College are medium sized (~250) and both take Polytech students (the Polytech factor is not necessarily a negative). Aquinas is a 15 min walk to campus so probably doesn't fit your requirement of a nearby College. Though having said that, they're the only College to provide free shuttles all day. Aquinas isn't very popular (due to the distance I presume) but everyone I've talked to who's been there has absolutely loved it. Same with City College; great location, modern facilities and a good vibe.