I am being swamped with the college process right now.
It’s best of me to stay in state because of costs, so I will likely be attending FSU. I was admitted for Fall 2018, applied to Honors and I have these few questions:
—Housing: I STILL haven’t applied for housing yet (rip me), I just made me FSU ID and I’m waiting for the system to verify me. What are my chances of getting a good dorm at this point? Which are the good dorms? Which should I avoid and what should I expect, considering how late I am? I’m kinda hoping to get in for Honors, and is the honors housing any good? What about LLCs?
—Major: Listed major is biochemistry, but I’m seriously contemplating biology. Is there any way to change this before I enter, when and if I decide to change majors?
—Term: I would really love to start during Summer so I can transition better and more importantly get my education started right away. Is there any way possible to change from Fall to Summer???
Re Housing, Honors or an LLC will be your best choice and probably a good idea to apply to an LLC as well. Without those two options dorm choice will likely be limited so pursue Honors or LLC for sure.
Best to call Admissions re start term and major. Report back as others may also be interested in an earlier start date. Good luck!
LLCs guarantee you a spot in the building that houses them, so if you want to live in a specific building, that or Honors (if you want Landis) are the best bet. Make sure you apply by any LLC deadlines, and make sure that you are applying to the LLC because you’re interested in the LLC, not just the building it’s in. If you’re expecting to get into Honors, keep in mind that you can turn down an LLC offer.
The only “bad” dorm on campus anymore in my opinion is Salley, because the bedrooms are tiny because of the study room. The beds are bunked and pretty much have to stay that way. It’s due to get a renovation so at least there’s that, but if you want to live on campus, apply ASAP and pay that deposit.
Your major that you have listed doesn’t matter at this point. As an underclassman you aren’t actually part of that major yet, and you can switch at any point. When you attend Orientation, talk to the advisor that they set you up with about changing your major, and they should give you some good information. For most freshmen, the first semester or two are pretty similar in terms of schedule in that a lot of gen ed/pre-reqs for the major will comprise the schedule, instead of actual major classes, so changing in the first semester won’t really matter at all.
This is something that you need to contact admissions about, but don’t expect them to be very receptive to this idea. You will need a REALLY good reason for them to make the change.
I was in the same situation as you last year. I committed to FSU extremely late and ended up getting a housing number in the late 5000’s. I would highly recommend doing an LLC, otherwise you’re very likely to end up in Salley Hall (not recommended) or overflow housing.
Are you female? I am a biochemistry major and I did the WIMSE LLC (women in STEM). I highly recommend it, and I’m happy to tell you all about it if you’d like. You would automatically get to live in Cawthon Hall, which is the nicest out of all the historic dorms (I believe it was renovated recently while most of the others are due).
If honors applications are still open, try your best for it because if you’re admitted you will have a better chance at getting a space in Landis, which is the honors dorm. Keep in mind that honors is highly selective and the application is very important: a high GPA and SAT matter but they won’t get you in without stellar essays.
If you do get into honors, you should still consider an LLC. They’re extremely beneficial to the college transition process and they’re a great way to get involved on campus from the very start. Plus, admission to honors doesn’t guarantee Landis. I believe it fills up every year. I know there are overflow honors spaces in Gilhrist Hall (which is conjoined to Landis) but even those spaces could fill up if your number is particularly bad.
Changing from a fall to a summer start should be relatively easy – check with someone in admissions because you’ll need to have your orientation sooner. Changing your major should also be pretty easy. They really only use it at this point to make sure you’re on track for fulfulling your requirements.