<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I'm a mother whose daughter is joining this year as an international freshman. We're confused about dorm options and I'd like some advice from a senior.</p>
<p>I’m not a senior (most of them are off enjoying their last few days at UVa), but I think I can help. There are two options: traditional housing and special interest housing.</p>
<p>At UVa, traditional housing is called “the first-year program”. The room styles are mostly doubles or suites. Special interest houses are called “residential colleges”. The room styles vary in the residential colleges.</p>
<p>The major difference is that traditional halls are almost all first-year students while the residential colleges have all different class levels in them.</p>
<p>Once the student picks the style of hall and submits their paperwork, the assignment will be made by a computer system.</p>
<p>The official explanation from the Housing Division’s website:
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<p>When will I get the housing information? I have yet to receive anything in the mail since sending in my deposit. I have, however, set up my uva email address.</p>
<p>You should receive the My UVA book in the mail after sending in your deposit. You can sign up for housing and a meal plan on-line. I don’t think you will get forms in the mail to submit for these things.</p>