Housing for Freshman Fall 2010

<p>I am waiting to hear from one more school before I decide on Maryland or not. I understand that the dorms situation is first come first serve. Does anyone have any suggestions concerning housing? I am worried that I will be in a triple vs a double because I have to wait for a final decision from another school. The housing office said that the longer you wait the worst of the choices you have. And what dorms would be good for a freshman not in the honrs program but central to campus? Any suggestions? Thanks....</p>

<p>Your class will be the first to live in Oakland Hall sophomore year.
<a href=“http://www.resnet.umd.edu/oaklandhall/oakland/[/url]”>http://www.resnet.umd.edu/oaklandhall/oakland/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Looks so nice. Maybe in 2011 I will be able to get a slot in there. Should I be worried about not getting a double (vs a triple) this upcoming fall? The housing office was a little short with me about the fact that I have to wait for a few more weeks.
Thanks…</p>

<p>The later you wait, the more likely you will get a triple. D1 waited, like you, as did her roommates freshman year, until almost the end of April and were in a (planned) triple. Did UMD go back to requiring a deposit in order to say you wanted housing? Last year, they did not–choosing housing and saying you were going to enroll (and paying deposit) were 2 different things. Prior to last year, some people in your predicament would pay the deposit anyway to keep from being in a triple. </p>

<p>FYI, I’m not sure you’ll have a lot of choice on which dorm you are in. Most of the freshmen (with some exceptions) are in the North Campus high-rises.</p>

<p>Son and two high school friends were all accepted and are interested in rooming together. What are the negatives to being in a triple?</p>

<p>Just what you’d think…lots of people in a little room! The “planned” triples (which your friend would probably get if they all request early) are better, but most still only have 2 closets. Guys usually have less crap than girls, so I think the lack of space isn’t quite as bad. D1’s freshman year was in a triple…they made the most of it and didn’t mind it so much… If all 3 know and want to live together, it should be better than 3 strangers trying to live together, too.</p>

<p>I would suggest that anyone going into a triple that is planned or unplanned, reserve a loft system for at least one. It will help them feel like there is more room. Many kids do the loft and put a futon type sofa/love seat under it to give more seating room. Guys do it so they have a clear vision to the tv for their Xbox.</p>

<p>Even for guys the closets are small. I would say they are no wider than 3 feet. This might seem large, but remember unless you live close enough to go home and switch out your summer close for fall/winter, you will be taking your entire wardrobe, and that becomes tight.</p>

<p>The other negative for the closets is that most students will put their laundry hamper in it, which takes up room and you will find the bottom filled with only 4 or 5 prs of shoes. Thus, for girls it becomes a bigger issue. The closet doors are bi-folds, which means behind the door racks will not work. There is only one door that you could use and that is the door to the room. I might be wrong, but I believe that is where the school has placed the full size mirror, which makes that option a no go.</p>

<p>My daughter is waiting to hear about merit aid and got accepted into the scholars program. Housing is guaranteed however do they put students in triples in the scholars program or do they only get doubles? This is a long waiting game!</p>

<p>They do both. Basically, the sooner you submit your housing request the better number you get and less likely to be placed into a triple, or a flex room. Flex rooms are certain dorms that they have designated to be converted from a double to a triple, or a triple to a quad.</p>