I have been accepted to Penn State UP starting in summer 2016 and I am pretty positive it is where I will attend. I have not visited the school yet because I am out of state but I will be later this month. If Penn State is the school I choose, I want to put my deposit down and sign the housing contract asap to avoid getting supplemental housing. It says online if I do that after April 1, I have a higher chance of getting supplemental housing. If I make my decision around that time (late march, early april) how much will it affect my chances? Also, will beginning in the summer affect my housing in the fall?
Starting in summer will not affect your fall housing as summer students move out of their summer dorm into a fall dorm. You will not stay in the same dorm. You won’t get supplemental for summer as there is plenty of room for everyone - but you may get supplemental in fall if you commit too late. But, some people really like supplemental housing. Either way, you are guaranteed housing freshman year no matter when you commit as long as it’s before May 1st. Good luck on your visit. I am sure you will love it!
Thank you @jlhpsu! Do you know how long students typically stay in supplemental housing for?
It all depends on when spaces open up. Spaces open up from kids who transfer or drop out etc…I’ve heard of students being in supplemental from a few weeks to the whole year - and others who were given the opportunity to get out of supplemental who didn’t. Supplemental housing just means that they convert a lounge or something to a dorm room. It’s still a private area like a dorm room, but instead of having one roommate, you may have 4 or 5 because it’s a big lounge area. Some students end up really liking that. Do a search of the Penn State thread for ‘supplemental’ and you will find a lot of questions and answers about the subject over the years.
Also, they are starting to renovate some of the dorms in East. So they are losing at least a 100 rooms or more. So regular housing will fill up quicker.
@jlhpsu Thank you! I am planning on putting my deposit down tomorrow! Do you think I still have a good chance of getting into East or Pollock?
@HH9108 It’s still march, so yes, I think you will be fine.