Residential colleges at UoM

[azure]

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions/recommendations for which college to stay at.

[funkyducky]

Queens (it's so pretty/I've heard nice things from someone who lives there). another friend of mine described international house like this: think of the worst motel you've ever stayed at- now imagine living there.
From my own personal experiences, I would recommend trying to find a self-catered college if you are willing to go to the effort of cooking, I spent two weeks in a residential college and the food was awful, especially since I'm accustomed to having good quality, nutritious home-cooked meals most nights. If you're not fussy/not a great cook, then you'll probably be better off somewhere where meals are provided, but I personally hate overcooked steak with a passion.

[MuggedByReality]

  What do you prefer, in terms of: loud/boisterous vs quiet/relaxed?
                                                     intensely academic vs not sooo academic?
                                                     intensely sporty vs not sooo sporty
                                                    highly traditional vs highly informal?
                                                     religious vs non-religious?
                                                     high or (relatively) low intake from top melb private schools?
                                                     high or (relatively) low intake of international students?
                                                     and how important is it to you to be housed in an architectural masterpiece rather than a purely functional modern building?

[lexitu]

Queens (it's so pretty/I've heard nice things from someone who lives there). another friend of mine described international house like this: think of the worst motel you've ever stayed at- now imagine living there.
From my own personal experiences, I would recommend trying to find a self-catered college if you are willing to go to the effort of cooking, I spent two weeks in a residential college and the food was awful, especially since I'm accustomed to having good quality, nutritious home-cooked meals most nights. If you're not fussy/not a great cook, then you'll probably be better off somewhere where meals are provided, but I personally hate overcooked steak with a passion.

There's a really friendly atmosphere around Queen's and the kitchen staff are really nice. That's about all I know, but hope it helps!

[azure]

Queens (it's so pretty/I've heard nice things from someone who lives there). another friend of mine described international house like this: think of the worst motel you've ever stayed at- now imagine living there.
From my own personal experiences, I would recommend trying to find a self-catered college if you are willing to go to the effort of cooking, I spent two weeks in a residential college and the food was awful, especially since I'm accustomed to having good quality, nutritious home-cooked meals most nights. If you're not fussy/not a great cook, then you'll probably be better off somewhere where meals are provided, but I personally hate overcooked steak with a passion.

Thanks for the great insight! don't mind cooking so hmm... are some of the colleges listed in UoM's site self-catered? Or is there a different list for self-catered colleges? Are you staying at one at the moment?


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Thanks Lex Yep, that certainly does help

[azure]

  What do you prefer, in terms of: loud/boisterous vs quiet/relaxed?
                                                     intensely academic vs not sooo academic?
                                                     intensely sporty vs not sooo sporty
                                                    highly traditional vs highly informal?
                                                     religious vs non-religious?
                                                     high or (relatively) low intake from top melb private schools?
                                                     high or (relatively) low intake of international students?
                                                     and how important is it to you to be housed in an architectural masterpiece rather than a purely functional modern building?

Preferably a lively college....
Sporty/not so sporty doesn't matter
Leaning towards less traditional
Leaning towards non-religious
Mmm... I don't mind where the students come from.
Same as above...
Needs to be comfortable and pretty... haha. Just comfortable and not too much of an eye-sore would be okay for me.

Thanks, which one would you suggest?

[MuggedByReality]

         Queens, then; also check out Hilda's and UC (from what I can remember)

         
           I forgot to put size among the list of variables; some colleges have <100 ppl, some have >300
       

[funkyducky]

Queens (it's so pretty/I've heard nice things from someone who lives there). another friend of mine described international house like this: think of the worst motel you've ever stayed at- now imagine living there.
From my own personal experiences, I would recommend trying to find a self-catered college if you are willing to go to the effort of cooking, I spent two weeks in a residential college and the food was awful, especially since I'm accustomed to having good quality, nutritious home-cooked meals most nights. If you're not fussy/not a great cook, then you'll probably be better off somewhere where meals are provided, but I personally hate overcooked steak with a passion.

Thanks for the great insight! don't mind cooking so hmm... are some of the colleges listed in UoM's site self-catered? Or is there a different list for self-catered colleges? Are you staying at one at the moment?


--------------


Thanks Lex Yep, that certainly does help

Queens (it's so pretty/I've heard nice things from someone who lives there). another friend of mine described international house like this: think of the worst motel you've ever stayed at- now imagine living there.
From my own personal experiences, I would recommend trying to find a self-catered college if you are willing to go to the effort of cooking, I spent two weeks in a residential college and the food was awful, especially since I'm accustomed to having good quality, nutritious home-cooked meals most nights. If you're not fussy/not a great cook, then you'll probably be better off somewhere where meals are provided, but I personally hate overcooked steak with a passion.

Thanks for the great insight! don't mind cooking so hmm... are some of the colleges listed in UoM's site self-catered? Or is there a different list for self-catered colleges? Are you staying at one at the moment?  

No, I'm in year 12, but I stayed at John XXIII College in ANU for two weeks for summer camp, I have a friend who lives in Queens, and some friends of mine spent a week in the winter holidays at International House (UoM) for some IB Winter course thingy.

Just checked the website, looks like all the undergrad colleges have all meals included, so self-catered doesn't appear to be an option. At the very least, they will all have kitchenettes if you get sick of the college food, but maybe you could make an enquiry with the uni and find out what your options are - definitely go to the colleges on open day and ask students about the college, the food, the lifestyle (you may have to sign up for these college visits beforehand).

It looks like the only self-catered option is nearby hostel/student accomodation which are fairly similar to the colleges, the only one I can think of off the top of my head is College Square - google it

[Russ]

The kitchenettes are really basic, don't count on being able to prepare meals every night for yourself. College food isn't too bad, I just spent a weekend living at UC in the holidays. UC is actually one of the better all rounded colleges, not too big but reasonably sized, not too focused on sports etc.

At the end of the day it doesn't realllly matter. Just don't go to Trinity

[EvangelionZeta]

^^Trinity is pretty much a Melbourne Grammar/Scotch club, isn't it? :p

[Russ]

Horrible, isn't it

[azure]

Oh... Hm. What's exactly bad about Trinity?

[MuggedByReality]

  I remember at the open day, while most colleges' tour guides wore their college rugby tops, Trinity's guides were in black tie and academic gowns. Take from that what you will; for some people (I'm guessing for Russ) it would be a distinct turn-off, whereas others might find it attractive.

[mikee65]

Bear in mind parents pay the fees, it may all be a guise

[azure]

By the way, is Queen's directly opposite the cemetery?