<p>I was wondering, when do you find out who your roommate is?</p>
<p>I'm also kinda freaking out, b/c I just signed into my housing application today to see if I could find out who my roommate was, and it happens to be that I never accepted the housing offer >.< I paid for everything, but I just never hit continue on the accept your offer section until today. Does it matter at all?</p>
<p>I don't know about the housing application, but we will find out about our roommates in "early August". Based upon old CC posts, it seems like people found out on August 3rd last year.</p>
<p>Did you get that email today from the housing people. I did'nt realize how much of a rip off it was until I saw how much I had to pay each month.
$1,345.50 >.< I guess I should go open a checking account now :(</p>
<p>I would call berkeley pretty fast. It could be that since you didn't accept the housing offer in a specified period of time they dropped your app. Honestly, I think you're probably OK, but again, I'd call to make sure and to clear up anything.</p>
<p>I think they will put you on the waitlist. You have to remeber that they already gave out housing assignmets a while ago. Here is what they put on the housing service FAQ for the dorms:</p>
<p>"4. I forgot to return my housing contract by the deadline. What should I do?
Unfortunately, if you did not return your housing contract by the deadline or called and received an extension, we have rescinded your offer. We apologize but we have 6200 students to place in a small window of time and have to ask you to adhere to deadlines. If you do not return the contract, we offer the space to the next person on the waiting list, under the assumption that you have made other plans."</p>
<p>jimmy, i'm a bit confused. You paid for everything, but forgot to accept your contract? I thought you're suppose to accept your contract before you can pay.</p>
<p>omg T.T</p>
<p>I did all the online signatures and paid the 300 advance payment, I just never completed the last step on the housing application for phase 2.</p>
<p>does this basically mean I won't get housing for 08-09?</p>
<p>Call them ASAP.</p>
<p>omg I'm dead</p>
<p>I didn't get the email, but my CARS statement says that the minimum balance due is around 1400. I'm guessing that's for housing.</p>
<p>i feel bad for you jimmy :(</p>
<p>Did they cash your money? Maybe you can see if you get anywhere by saying THAT was "accepting the contract."</p>
<p>When you call them, emphasize that you paid for everything properly, all before the deadline, which was a way of "accepting" and keeping your contract. When you call, if possible have the date of the monetary transaction,whether it was by check or Visa, etc. (date is helpful, not essential, so don't spend all day looking for it..). </p>
<p>It's not much but that monetary transaction (and perhaps the online signatures) are your best argument that you were trying to "accept the contract" that day.</p>
<p>Tell them, "My real error was how I processed the website, for which I'm sorry." but the fact that you paid that day proves you accepted the contract. It's a thin straw, but try it. Ask to talk to supervisors, etc.</p>
<p>PS, also mention that you filed the online signatures; maybe they have those on record? What did that mean, if not that you were accepting the contract.</p>
<p>WHen you phone, immediately try to get the other person on the phone onside with you. Say you have a problem, and you heard she's the problem solver, so perhaps together the two of you can solve it. If she ends up saying no, keep going up higher til you find someone who can say yes (general rule for dealing with bureaucracies). Good luck.</p>
<p>I suggest, though not all would agree, that this is important enough to make the call in front of one of your parents. If the call goes South, your parent might jump onto the phone. Again, not all would agree but for serious things like this, I try to let my kid handle it first, but will back him up if it doesn't work. It's easy for a school clerk to brush off a kid, harder a parent. </p>
<p>At the very least, clue your parents in on what's happening here before you call, and say this is how you'll handle it; could they listen in the same room, please, just for moral support.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice...
I've yet to tell my parents - I think they will be angry >.<
I tried calling but their office is closed for today, so I sent an email.
But I'm going to call in anyways first thing tomorrow.
Would there be any "good time" to call them? Their office is open from 8AM to 5PM I think. Maybe calling in early when they are fresh would help?</p>
<p>So if this doesn't workout, what are my alternatives for living in Berkeley?
I would want the next best thing to dorms, since I would be missing out on the social aspects and overall experience of living in dorms -.-</p>
<p>Well, if you don't live in the dorms next year, your parents will notice. Maybe it's better to clue them in now, while they might be able to help you. Your call. Every family works differently, and you know yours.</p>
<p>I always try to call fairly early in the morning, when people feel refreshed and before everyone starts getting on their nerves as the day wears on.</p>
<p>Haha sorry I think you misunderstood. I will definitely tell my parents. I was actually talking about the residence hall office</p>
<p>Oh, that's funny! My bad.</p>
<p>My hope is that this will be worked out as a website mistake, especially if you are extremely nice on the phone. I'm rooting for you.</p>
<p>oh gosh I'm so nervous T.T
What would I say to start off the conversation on the phone? I know you suggested the problem solver thing, but how exactly would I say it?
thanks again for the help</p>
<p>"Hi, my name is X, upcoming freshman for 2008. Yesterday I discovered I might have a housing related problem. </p>
<p>"I'm calling in today for your help to solve this problem. I really need some help. Maybe together, the two of us can solve it. Okay? (she'll probably say "Yes" right then unless she's truly nasty, because most people like to think of themselves and helpful and positive. So that readies her mind to work with you productively).</p>
<p>"I emailed last night -- did you receive that?" (she might ask you for a student ID or Social Security Number, so have them ready). (Wait and let her get your email up onto the screen and read it; otherwise, read it off to her from your screen, slowly!)</p>
<p>Then, listen carefully to what she says, but don't get upset at anything.
As she talks, check off where she's hitting any of your talking points (which you wrote down on a list in front of you). Then reply, with the points you've kind of written out for yourself. That way, you won't bring up new arguments where she didn't see any.</p>
<p>Practice in advance with a parent, if you want to role-play it before you call.
Believe it or not, this is what we do in our house. Not to order pizzas, but for difficult calls. </p>
<p>Also, before you call, visualize that after the call it will all turn out OKAY so you sound non-anxious and pleasant on the phone. </p>
<p>If she makes a negative point, let her finish. Then say, "I understand, but...." and say your point-by-point response, focussing on just one point at a time.</p>
<p>You can do this!</p>
<p>Thanks so much!
wish me luck</p>
<p>hmm well I got an email titled: "UC Residence Hall Housing Contract Confirmation" listing the dates when my payments for housing are due.</p>
<p>Is this a good sign in anyway, or is it one of those things that the system spits out, regardless of when you completed the contract?</p>