Freshman housing - how soon to request?

<p>Hi, my D2 was happy to find out that she was accepeted to PSU Smeal Business School last week. She loves Penn State but there are a few other schools that she won't hear back from for several months so probably won't be able to make a decision until March. Do you think that is too late to get her requested dorm? How late do the people who end up in supplemental housing usually commit? Thanks.</p>

<p>My D accepted her offer and put a deposit on housing in early February. She finalized her housing contract in early April after she settled on a roommate. She preferred Pollock or South, the roommate wanted East. My D settled on putting East as their 1st pick with Pollock or South 2nd and 3rd. They were notified in mid July that they were placed in Pollock. I know they say that housing is a first come, first served amenity. According to my D’s results, you need to complete your housing contract prior to April to get your first choice. We thought that accepting in February would pretty much guarantee her a first choice, but I guess it goes by when you complete your housing contract. </p>

<p>By the way, my D and her roommate are really happy with Pollock. It’s very centrally located for classes and close to downtown. In fact, they eat mostly at South (across the street from their dorm) because Pollock is so crowded with kids from East. My D says it’s because the food is better, but it might be because it’s just too far to walk back to East if you are between classes or meeting people for dinner on their way back from class.</p>

<p>I have a feeling that the kids would be happy where ever they end up. I don’t know what your D2’s preference is but there are plenty of freshmen in Pollock and South, so making friends hasn’t been an issue at all. The only dorms I don’t know anything about are West and North, as far as freshmen.</p>

<p>Thank you for the info, that was helpful. My D thinks that she wants to be in East but it sounds like other areas are great for freshmen also. We will see what happens in the next few months with other acceptances. Once she makes a decision I will make sure that she moves quickly on the housing request. Thanks.</p>

<p>Housing is like getting in line – when freshmen accept their admission bid, they also need to indicate a choice of housing. The key here is don’t worry about the roommate issue, etc. too much. Before April, students can go back in to the eLiving site and indicate a choice of roommate, or change their priority (you have to pick what matters most to you – the roommate, the location, or the SLO) or what they’ve asked for. For right now, just get in the line! </p>

<p>Best results are to those who get it done before the end of March. April/May and you are pushing the envelope but not necessarily doomed. Particularly this year, when it is likely the admission yield may be less, and the long-term goals of the university were already to reduce the size of the incoming freshmen classes.</p>