<p>I saw a couple folks mention they put down a housing deposit prior to even applying. What's this all about?</p>
<p>We put down a 50 dollar deposit to guarantee housing before d even got word of her acceptance. There are so few places to live on campus compared to the number of students applying that UT recommends doing this. Then, later, if you are accepted and still want to live on campus you send more money to them. I think it was 200 dollars more. We haven't sent that amount in yet. You can look all this up on their website. Priority for housing is given to those who sent in their deposits first. At least that's the way we understand it. </p>
<p>The bad new is that you lose this money if you don't go to UT so it's a gamble if you're not sure that you'll be going. It's a good deal for UT though, isn't it?</p>
<p>A friend told me she had put a deposit in two years ago to Scottish Rite dormitory (a very nice girls' dorm) for her daughter who is graduating this year!</p>
<p>I think that's a private dormitory. I hear that it's a nice one, too. </p>
<p>The deposit I mentioned above was sent directly to UTAustin for their dorms. And my d isn't even sure she's going to UT yet.</p>
<p>Yes, sorry - forgot to mention SRD is private. But imagine risking a deposit that far ahead!</p>
<p>We put down the deposit in September, or whatever the first day was you could register. Turns out, my daughter isn't even applying to UT. Money down the drain, but she really thought she would apply.</p>
<p>What percentage of students live on campus?</p>
<p>Is off-campus housing readily available, convenient and affordable?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>USNWR says 18% live on campus. From what I hear it's fairly hard to find housing near campus and it's not all that cheap. Maybe a current student would have better knowledge to answer that question.</p>
<p>I know that traffic in Austin can be horrible so if I were planning on going there I would think that a LOT of time would be saved by living near campus</p>
<p>Sounds like living off campus isn't really an option, then. I used to go to Austin occasionally when I lived in Houston ('79-'91) and didn't have much issue with the traffic then. I guess things have changed over the last 14 years. I wonder if the deposit is necessary for kids in their honors programs since they have dedicated housing?</p>
<p>Does the Deposit help when it comes to admissions?</p>