My rising senior son will be auto admit to UT. He is not sure what he wants to major in or if UT is even his top choice.
I am feeling a little overwhelmed with all the housing options. Are there advantages of living in on campus student housing vs. off campus student housing? Should he apply for housing even if he doesn’t know for sure that he will attend UT? I am okay with losing a deposit if he decides to attend a different college if that means he gets into a better housing situation.
He has not done an official tour at UT, but has spent a couple of days on campus for state UIL contests. From friends, we have heard that the tour wasn’t terribly informative. We may make a trip to visit and see the campus during the fall so we can check out potential housing options then if someone has some suggestions.
Thank you!
If he has any interest at all in UT and living on campus then 100% he should apply for housing as soon as his application is done and the housing application is available. This date puts you in “line” for housing selection. If you wait until decision time, he will be put toward the end of the line if contracts are even still available. I believe you would lose $50 if he chooses not to attend UT, but it’s well worth it if he does go there and needs housing. (FWIW I lost this $50 twice! ugh!) Good luck!
Thanks! Did you ever make it to the point of actually choosing housing, or did your kids choose a different college before that point? Or is there really even much choice as a freshman?
Two of mine were transfers. One was CAP and went straight to an apt with friends.The other applied for housing which was a waste. I was told that the first transfer was behind hundreds of freshmen who weren’t going to get housing. The third was an auto admit, so he applied for housing super early and got his first choice (San Jac w/private bath). The 2nd year he lived in Jester in a single. They have changed the housing selection process to giving the student a date and time to log on, see what’s available, and pick a room. Seems to be working pretty well. Let me know if you have any other questions. With 3 kids there, I pretty much should own half the place! LOL
Thank you so much! It’s very helpful to hear from a parent how this all works.
You are very welcome. Feel free to message me if you have more questions!