Housing Questions!

<p>Hi everyone! I was accepted to UT-Austin a couple of days ago and I know that it is where I want to go. I have been anxiously awaiting a housing contract, because everyone's been telling me how important it is to get your housing stuff in early, but I haven't seen anything about it and I don't know if I'm missing something. </p>

<p>I've paid the $50 housing application fee as well as the $200 initial deposit for UT so those shouldn't stop me from receiving the contract.</p>

<p>So I guess my questions are:
1) When should I be expecting a housing contract?
2) Will it be mailed to me or will it be on my 'Be a Longhorn'?
3) Are there any more forms/payments that have to be completed (besides the $50 and the $200) before I can get my contract (i.e medical forms, personal forms, ect.)?
4) What is the order of housing priority based off of? When you submit your initial $50 housing application fee or when you submit your housing contract?
5) I know I want to stay in San Jacinto but I have heard that it is pretty competitive to get into because it's so popular. Can you please recommend another dorm to stay in if I don't get into San Jacinto. I am in the BHP and would love to stay in a social dorm that is in a good location (preferably near McCombs).</p>

<p>I know I'm asking a lot of questions but everyone is getting me so nervous about this housing thing and how I have to apply for it ASAP! Thank you in advance for your help!</p>

<p>Hi Haley!</p>

<p>Can’t wait to see you here at UT/BHP!</p>

<p>In terms of housing, everything is based off the $50 fee; that’s what everyone tells to turn in ASAP. If you’ve already done that, then there’s no rush to do anything else. Everything else should be accessed online through mystatus on the housing tab (if I remember correctly). For dorms, I’d highly recommend the honors quad. It’s extremely social, but quiet if you need it to be. It has 6+ study places/common areas in it, convenient location (right by the drag; next to Littlefield cafe; it’s a 6 minute walk to McCombs). Everyone is extremely friendly, and there are always a ton of events to go to. :)</p>

<p>No one gets a contract until July, so you have done what needs to be done. Finding a roommate is also helpful to get the dorm you want. If they have to place you, you may not get the dorm you want. Those with roommates get placed first in the dorm of their selection.</p>

<p>Have you considered private dorms? Hardin House and SRD are very social and are a short walk (couple of blocks) to campus. Hardin House is predominantly Greek while SRD is a fairly even mix of Greek and nonGreek and both are all girl. The new Calloway House is a new (still under construction) coed dorm for freshmen that will be opening in time for fall semester.</p>

<p>Congrats on your acceptance to UT!</p>

<p>To answer your questions:

  1. The housing contract will be issued after the $200 deposit is paid.
  2. The housing contract will come electronically.
  3. No more payment at this point.
  4. Housing priority is based on the DATE you submitted the $50 application fee.
  5. As far as location near McCombs goes, I think Jester is the most convenient dorm. IMO</p>

<p>Thanks for your help everyone. Guess it looks like I’ll have to wait until July for my contract. I would have thought UT would give it to me MUCH sooner but I guess not. I’m just so excited, I want to get everything filled out and sent back!</p>

<p>Don’t they send you your contract right after you pay your enrollment deposit? That’s what I’ve been led to believe through several counselors and such.</p>

<p>@Cwillbounds </p>

<p>I’m not sure! I was just going off of what @lisiatc said. Also, I’ve submitted the enrollment deposit already but I have not received a contract yet. How long should it take to receive my contract after I’ve paid my enrollment deposit?</p>

<p>In my son’s experience, he applied for housing in January of last year and received the contract in July.</p>

<p>As the deadline for current students to apply for housing is at the end of January, and all of them get housing, it doesn’t seem prudent for contracts to be offered to incoming freshmen at this point.</p>

<p>The website certainly leads you to believe the contract might come right away.</p>

<p>Last year, they had many more students who wanted to live in the dorms than they had room.</p>

<p>Okay thank you. They didn’t really specify. Thanks for the correct information!</p>

<p>It seems very late for students to receive contract in July, when it is almost time for the dorm assignments to be released. lisiatc- I am curious when did your son submit his enrollment deposit last year? My son is a sophomore now. For 2011-2012 school year, he received his housing contract within one or two weeks after he enrolled in March (or Feb, can’t remember exactly).</p>

<p>Last year my daughter paid her deposit in October, chose her preferences online and received her contract to sign in December. After that she could choose the dorm preferences, roommates etc. </p>

<p>In July she got her room assignment. Everyone did.</p>

<p>As far as I remember students who signed contract (or paid deposit??) before the middle of March got regular contracts (though usually not 1st preference if they paid deposit after New Year). The rest got supplemental contracts or nothing.</p>

<p>The only people who skipped the line and got priority housing were Longhorn scholars, These people get priority in everything and are always first in any line, they got regular housing even if they applied for housing in May.</p>

<p>So, ideally, a person would expect to get a housing contract in January/February, in applied before New Year? I submitted by $200 deposite and paid the $50 about two and a half weeks ago.</p>

<p>For on campus housing, they typically start sending out contracts in application date order in early December, once the rates for the new year have been approved. In order to receive a contract, you need to have turned in the $50 housing application and turned in your $200 enrollment deposit.</p>

<p>perfect! thank you so much, everyone, for clearing that up for me!</p>

<p>Does it matter if I turn in my housing deposit and app late if my roomie is turning hers in soon? I don’t want to pay $50 until I know for sure I’m going (and I won’t be getting my letter til February/March!)</p>

<p>If you like San Jacinto, Jester East is almost the same. Renovations will be finished on the entire building by this May (all the rooms are already done, they’re now working on the lobby), so everything is new, with movable furniture that’s the same as what’s in San Jac except that you can loft the beds all the way up if you want. There are very few (10 in the whole dorm, I think) private bathrooms in Jester East, but there are many connecting ones (you share with one other room) on the lower floors, though you’re not guaranteed to get a private or connecting bath in Jester East. It’s a fun, social building, but not party central like people say. There are study rooms on every floor (at least two) and Jester is very close to the business school and dining halls.</p>