What Now?
If you applied to Rochester and Rutherford Hall but weren’t selected in the first round of offers, please remember we have only just started – there is still time to be considered! There will be additional offer rounds continuing until late January 2026, so there are still opportunities to join the Hall.
“ … I had been on their radar, but due to the sheer number of similar applications, I had initially missed out ”
Current Resident | 2025
When I first found out I didn’t get into R&R, I was really upset. I knew I had a strong application through leadership in my school and church, which made me feel frustrated and disappointed that I wasn’t offered a spot. While I wasn’t ringing the hall every other day to check in on my application, I still felt confident that I would have a chance at a place. It didn’t help that all my friends and people I knew had got into their halls. I felt more disappointed rather than stressed, as I knew I still had a chance of getting a place in a different hall through the general waitlist, but this was obviously not ideal as I felt as if R&R would have been a good hall for me. I felt upset that I wouldn’t get to experience what R&R had to offer for my first year of university, as I really liked the hall and had heard many great things.
One afternoon I finally got a phone call from R&R, saying that they had an opening in the hall and asked if I would like a place to join the 2025 cohort. The feeling was incredible. The Principal explained that I had been on their radar, but due to the sheer number of similar applications, I had initially missed out. I was so grateful for the phone call, and it made my day. I went from a feeling of disappointment and sadness to a feeling of excitement and gratitude. I must have thanked R&R at least 100 times on the phone call!!
Key Things to Know
First preference priority: Students who select Rochester and Rutherford Hall as their first preference will have their applications prioritised.
Waitlist process:
We do not keep a chronological waitlist. Instead, offers are made based on a combination of factors, including:
Geographical location
A balance of school communities
Gender balance
Degree or programme of study
Scholarship winners
Pastoral needs
Extracurricular involvement
Contribution through leadership and community
Please note:
We receive many high-calibre applications each year to fill the 194 spaces available in our Hall.
If you are given an offer in another Hall and you wish to still be considered for an R&R selection, you will need to reach out and communicate with us directly.
Please communicate via email to Kate O’Brien at office@rochester-rutherford.org.nz
A Message from Charlie
Charlie is one of our current residents here at Rochester and Rutherford Hall, and she’s a key part of the community that makes this place so special. Charlie has been exactly where some of you might find yourselves now - she didn’t receive an offer in the first round of placements. Instead, she was offered a place later, and has gone on to make the most of her time at R&R. She knows firsthand what it feels like to wait, to wonder, and to not have certainty right away. But her journey is a reminder that the first round isn’t the only opportunity to join our community.
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Physical Self-Care
Taking care of your body to stay healthy and energized.
Get regular exercise (e.g., walking, team sport, gym)
Maintain a balanced, nutritious diet
Get 7–9 hours of sleep each night
Stay hydrated (drink enough water)
Attend regular medical checkups
Take rest breaks when tired
Practice personal hygiene
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Emotional Self-Care
Understanding and managing your emotions in healthy ways.
Journaling thoughts and feelings
Talking to a trusted friend or therapist
Practicing self-compassion and kindness
Allowing yourself to feel and express emotions
Engaging in activities that bring joy or peace
Setting emotional boundaries
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Mental Self-Care
Stimulating your mind and reducing mental stress.
Reading books or doing puzzles
Limiting screen time and social media
Learning new skills or hobbies
Taking breaks from work or studying
Listening to music, podcasts, or audio that inspires
Seeking therapy or counselling when needed
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Social Self-Care
Maintaining healthy relationships and social connections.
Spending quality time with loved ones
Joining clubs, communities, or groups with shared interests
Asking for help when needed
Saying no to things that drain you
Communicating openly and honestly
Setting boundaries in relationships
Making time for fun and connection
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Useful Links
Waiting for or missing out on a hall offer can be disheartening. Here are some resources to support your wellbeing:
Wellbeing topics | University of Canterbury
Self-care | University of Canterbury