OK--parents of hs seniors or college students...

[TimeforMe]

Got another question for you. DD has (finally!) decided on the college that she'll attend in the Fall. Only one drawback-----they only have enough housing for 25% of their students! Isn't that ridiculous? And freshmen are not given priority. There are two possibilities, however 1) she will be a music ed major and the chairwoman is advocating for her with the housing department and 2) she applied to the honors program (a long shot) and if she gets in she'll be guaranteed housing.

Now, the other option of course is off-campus housing which I'm not crazy about since she'll only be a freshman. Any of your kids live in an apartment their first year? Any comments or suggestions? How about financial aid? Will it help pay for their rent? I'm clueless at this point.

 

[almacdonald]

College residence is a crazy thing sometimes! I got in my first year of uni (good thing, i was only 17 -- couldn't rent an apartment if i tried!) But it was really competitive to get in and even though i'd lived there a year it was tough to get back in for my 2nd year!

Does your daughter have any friends going to the same school? They could maybe look for a place off campus together. Go apartment hunting early, early summer maybe. If you can afford to rent the apartment over the summer you can move her out in stages and maybe have a few practice nights in the apartment. Not to mention the selection should be better once all the former students clear out for the summer. If you can't find a decent place near campus, check the bus routes and look for a place which has convinient bus access. I know it's different at all schools but i found it pretty expensive to pay for parking every day.

Good luck to your daughter. College is an exciting time. I'm sure it will all work out. While living in residence is pretty convinient, it's nice to have some piece and quiet when you want it!

 

[Beth76]

Is it on a first come, first served basis or lottery? If it's first come, then I would suggest personally taking the application to the housing office as soon as you get it. Like the same day, if it's possible. I know that's what people did at my school in order to get the air-conditioned dorms. Good luck.

 

[momrek06]

Got another question for you. DD has (finally!) decided on the college that she'll attend in the Fall. Only one drawback-----they only have enough housing for 25% of their students! Isn't that ridiculous? And freshmen are not given priority. There are two possibilities, however 1) she will be a music ed major and the chairwoman is advocating for her with the housing department and 2) she applied to the honors program (a long shot) and if she gets in she'll be guaranteed housing.

Now, the other option of course is off-campus housing which I'm not crazy about since she'll only be a freshman. Any of your kids live in an apartment their first year? Any comments or suggestions? How about financial aid? Will it help pay for their rent? I'm clueless at this point.

Mom: There is NO WAY in this world, that either of my sons (who went away to college) were going to live OFF-CAMPUS in an apt their first year. We did not know the STATE let alone the City or the Campus (well-enough) the first year!

I just do not know what to say to you other than desperately try to get her ON CAMPUS. I just do not think 1st year students should be off campus in an apt. College life is so much fun! Your DD will get to know everything about the college living on campus and then for her Sophomore year she will then be able to make a good decision about where exactly to live. But WHY would this college only offer housing to 25% of the students. That being said, I would push hard to find out NOW if she will be on campus and then make a serious decision if that is where she should go. Does her back up school offer housing?

My oldest son (grad 2004 college) lived off campus his 3rd and 4th year. By then he was on the "edge" of campus requiring NO car and easy walk to campus. He also lived with roommates from his 1st & 2nd year. They were boys that he knew comfortably and knew he could get along with them for their final years at school. As well as DH & I knowing their parents very well having met them many times at the college.
They spent a good portion of their 2nd year waiting on this one house as it was the SPOT to have so close to campus and they finally got it as they knew that there were seniors in there ready to leave.

It is really hard for you now from home to make the determination as to the best apt for her.

As far as money, DS' rent was FAR less than the housing at college. That was a nice break for us.

I can tell you are concerned about this hence the Thread...I would really research it and def get her on campus for sure.

 

[TimeforMe]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, it's on a first come, first served basis. She already has an application in with Housing however is not "in a good spot" on the waiting list. She and DH were there yesterday for her honors interview and looked at two of the apartments, both of which are within walking distance. One is VERY nice (too nice according to DH ) and has great security i.e., a guard 24/7, you have to be buzzed in, etc. and he said the other was also nice and he'd be OK having her at either of them.

She doesn't have any friend with whom she can room at this point.

 

[poohandwendy]

Only one drawback-----they only have enough housing for 25% of their students! Isn't that ridiculous?

Actually, I think it is typical. My DD goes to a smaller sized state university and they only have enough housing for 30%...but they really don't need much more. Trust me, if a college felt there was a huge demand for more on-campus housing, they would definitely build some more buildings to house them. They make tons of $$$$$ off their on-campus students. And they know what the demand is from many years of experience.

I would just turn in the application as soon as you can and try not to sweat it too bad. Most of the upper-classmen have no interest in living on campus because it is more expensive and restrictive anyways. And you also have those who back out last minute, so that frees up even more housing.

My DD is a freshman this year (on campus) and will be moiving off-campus next year. She had no trouble getting a dorm room. I highly doubt yours will either.

 

[momrek06]

I am just confused WHY Freshmen do NOT get priority housing . They are the new students knowing nothing about the college or campus OTHER than being accepted to it. The FIRST year is vital for students to live on campus (IMO).

At my DS' college (one grad 2004) and other is a Sophomore, it is MANDATORY living ON CAMPUS for 1st and 2nd year, unless you are a communter living at home with parents. That being said they are constantly building new dorms. If after Sophomore year you want to get your apt. FINE!

Majority students end up staying right on campus as they see all the benefits of having EVERYTHING right at their finger tips...cafeteria, classrooms, library, bookstore, sports and music complexs, mailroom, PROF's offices, health ctr. EASY & EASY

My Sophomore decided AFTER ONE YEAR he was not getting an apt off campus like older DS. He just loves everything 24/7 there is offered to those living on campus. HE IS STAYING PUT!!!

 

[poohandwendy]

I wanted to add, why not make a call to the campus housing department and ask them how many students are turned away? They would know if there is a real housing problem for the students.

They are going to tell you to get the application in early as possible, no doubt. But, I'll bet the demand is not as high as you think. And that the odds of a freshamn being turned away usually has more to do with applying late than anything else.

 

[TimeforMe]

poohandwendy: I think this particular school's housing problem is truly a problem. All of the university officials with whom I spoke related that it was an ongoing issue and one that they wish they didn't have. My best friend started her college career there and had to live off-campus as a freshman because she couldn't get housing. I think the reason they don't have enough housing is because of its location. It's in a city and there just isn't any available real estate near the campus itself.

The fact is that she IS having trouble getting a dorm room. She's going to be a freshman, they can't guarantee housing (even though she's been offered a music scholarship) and she's not in a good place (according to the Housing Office) on the waiting list.

Hopefully, eventually it will come through, but it'd be a lot less stressful right now for all of us if we knew for sure she'd be in a dorm in the Fall. I think most colleges with housing deficits can at least guarantee their incoming freshman a place to live.

edited to add: her application is already filed with Housing.

 

[poohandwendy]

I am just confused WHY Freshmen do NOT get priority housing . They are the new students knowing nothing about the college or campus OTHER than being accepted to it.

My guess is that the reason is that freshman student applicants are the most likely to change their mind last minute. They have to form the housing lists by a certain date and many, many freshman get their names in on multiple college lists and then make the decision after all of the colleges they have applied for respond. Then they pick the best one.

The college wants their housing full. If they give priority to freshmen, the remaining returning students, who are turned away, have to find other accomodations. Then, come late august...you have freshamn who decided to go elsewhere and empty spots that may not be easy to fill.

I am sure it works differently on campuses where there is requirements for freshmen and sophomores (like your DS's)

 

[va32h]

I lived off-campus all my years at college, including my freshman year.

I didn't have a car, but the city (Tucson, AZ) had a great bus system, and I never had a problem getting anywhere.

It was fine, really. I was probably too young and naive to worry about break-ins or things like that.

Now I'll grant you, I wasn't involved in any campus activities - but I worked all the way through school and didn't have a lot of time for that stuff anyway.

 

[poohandwendy]

poohandwendy: I think this particular school's housing problem is truly a problem. All of the university officials with whom I spoke related that it was an ongoing issue and one that they wish they didn't have. My best friend started her college career there and had to live off-campus as a freshman because she couldn't get housing. I think the reason they don't have enough housing is because of its location. It's in a city and there just isn't any available real estate near the campus itself.

The fact is that she IS having trouble getting a dorm room. She's going to be a freshman, they can't guarantee housing (even though she's been offered a music scholarship) and she's not in a good place (according to the Housing Office) on the waiting list.

Hopefully, eventually it will come through, but it'd be a lot less stressful right now for all of us if we knew for sure she'd be in a dorm in the Fall. I think most colleges with housing deficits can at least guarantee their incoming freshman a place to live.

edited to add: her application is already filed with Housing.

In that case, I would check out collegeboards.com for other freshman girls looking for roommates for that college. There might be a group who just needs one more girl, or another girl in the same boat. And you could check out the area and the people, before hand. You will need to have a back up plan if it is that much of a problem.

Did they tell you when you would find out if she gets a dorm?

Also, in regards to the freshman priority (lack of), if there really is a problem with housing...then it would not be in the best interests of the college to make it harder for returning students either. So the idea is probably keep it fair for all students.

Good luck to you and your DD, I know it is really stressful. BTDT!

 

[minniecarousel]

ugh! this reminds me of the position that my older son was in when he transferred to the college he ended up graduating from (he transferred in as a Junior). He applied for off-campus apartment housing run by the University. They cashed our check in April, then informed us in June that he didn't have housing!! I fired off an angry letter letting them know that I didn't appreciate them cashing the check and then not having housing available. (This University is now on first come-first served policy, with Freshmen getting guaranteed on-campus dorms.)

I guess I'd just keep in touch with anyone who has any pull to get her into on-campus housing. It's good that the off-campus apts look fine, but it's tough to find roommates when you're new to a school. Her second year should be much easier in finding both the housing and the roommates.

 

[tar heel]

We ruled out the only school on our original list that didn't guarantee housing for freshmen -- Virginia Tech -- b/c of that. My son was not ready for an apartment. Of course, you did have to pay a nonrefundable deposit by a certain date (May 1, I think) to get the housing. The school my second son is going to doesn't specifically guarantee housing for freshmen, but there's no problem getting it unless you apply late. We sent his deposit in February.

My only advice is to make sure not to get caught in the new scam similar to the used car one. In this one, foreign students answer ads for housing, send a cashiers check as a deposit, then something happens and they have to cancel. They ask for the $ back, and in many cases the bank hasn't yet figured out the cashiers check is bogus. The fake checks may go to a renter, but they also sometimes go to other students who are busily arranging an apartment full of kids.

 

[vettechick99]

Living in off-campus housing is quite common at my alma mater. In fact, very few of my friends lived in a dorm except for me. My parents insisted I do, but I didn't care because I was just happy to be out of the house!

Anyway, I don't know the school or town she is going to be living in, but as long as the complex is gated, the parking lot is lighted, and she has roommates, I'd feel very comfortable with her in that living situation.