RCSI Accommodation

[alincoln]

THE PROBLEM:

Accepted to RCSI and looking for accommodation? The Atlantic Bridge Program will usually guide you to www.mercercourt.ie:

Mercer upsides:
1. It's a 3 minute walk to class
2. It's across the courtyard from the library
3. Utilities, internet, cable-TV maid-service etc. all-included.

Mercer downsides:

1. Prices: (http://www.mercercourt.ie/students/rates.html) 1BR for E1,000/mo. Twin (sharing with someone else) for E750/mo.
2. 9 mo. leases -- not a full year.
3. Each suite (Mercer) is composed of 4 bedrooms -- 2x1BR, and 1 double room with 2 twin beds (two people sharing) -- and a "lounge" area adjoining the kitchen. You're sharing approx. 600sq ft. with 3 other people.
4. Phones in Bedrooms cannot dial out -- you can only receive calls.
5. Decor is nappy old blue carpets, painted cinder block walls, and horrible ancient electric kitchen appliances.

(You'll notice the www.mercercourt.ie website doesn't have all that many closeup photos of the dorm rooms)

THE SOLUTION:

1. Get familiar with maps of Dublin city centre http://www.softguides.com/dublin/maps/centre.html

2. Check www.daft.ie for housing (biggest availability is in May/June when the student population turns over for the summer)

3. Email me here on this site if you wanna know whether certain things are a good deal -- I'm totally willing to help you out.

The Upshot:
Dublin's expensive enough as it is, don't lock yourself into crap accommodation for extortionate prices at Mercer/Millin. You'll be wicked bitter the first time you go to an "off-campus" party and ask the host what he/she's paying.

So do your research and you'll have a phat life your first year.

Again, send me an email here if you'd like "a consult." I won't even charge you. 🙂

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[LavenderLoraine]

I agree with you here. Mercer and Millin aren't good value for money. For the downside, you forgot to mention the expensive washer/dryers! I don't live there, but my friends have mentioned spending about €5/laundry load.

I know not everyone may have the time or money to do so, but if you can arrange and afford it, try to take a trip to Dublin in July/August before school starts and scout some places out. That's what I did. I was armed with info about possible apartments and houses from www.daft.ie and spent 5 days here checking them out. I found somthing I liked and signed a lease before returning home!

 

[zeyad]

I think one thing positive thing about Mercer court that you didn't mention is that its for RCSI students only. For first year overseas students, it can provide a good opportunity to meet and socialise people from the college. Although I hear that Mercer court is crap, I'm still booking a room there for the simple fact that i'm an 18 year old overseas student who isn't willing to live in an apartment in dublin alone from first year! Second year, i'll be www.daft.ie-ing alot though!

 

[evanston]

Hey Zeyad,

So you've finally decided on RCSI over HYMS in the UK, have you? What finally tilted you in its favor? Good luck in Dublin, by the way! I'm still waiting to hear from Trinity and UCD.

Evanston

 

[zeyad]

Hey!

Yeah, i think i've made my mind up with RCSI. Although I still haven't heard from Trinity, but I don't think i'd go there because of the PBL system. I chose RCSI for several reasons.. a) its has a very international student population b) its in dublin, i'm a big city fan c) speaking to people there, they highly recommend it, d) Due t o its internatoinal outreach, I'd be much more identifiable If I come back to work in Qatar in later years than say from Sheffield medical school or HYMS (even though the level of education is on par).. and at the end of the day, its gut feeling! What dya think?

 

[bananaboat]

Hey!

Yeah, i think i've made my mind up with RCSI. Although I still haven't heard from Trinity, but I don't think i'd go there because of the PBL system. I chose RCSI for several reasons.. a) its has a very international student population b) its in dublin, i'm a big city fan c) speaking to people there, they highly recommend it, d) Due t o its internatoinal outreach, I'd be much more identifiable If I come back to work in Qatar in later years than say from Sheffield medical school or HYMS (even though the level of education is on par).. and at the end of the day, its gut feeling! What dya think?

those are all great reasons and it really doesn't matter what we think! if you have that gut feeling, you should go with it, regardless of what we tell you 🙂 you've done your research, and you are making an informed decision.

 

[evanston]

Exactly, bananaboat. Couldn't have said it better. Good luck, Zeyad!

Evanston

 

[Victoria Hall]

There are many cheap student accommodation in London, one is Victoria Hall.