I am an upcoming senior and UF has been and is my top choice. I am very confused about how UF Housing works so I was wondering if that could be clarified. From what I understand, your pick of housing is determined by when you submit your application (applications open for Fall 2016 in August) and pay the housing fee. How early should I do that and once I do, do I just wait until they tell me when I pick my housing and how far down the line I am? Is there an option to pick roommates? Also, I am curious about the best housing. From what I have read Beatty, Windsor, and Jennings are nice but I’m not sure. Sorry for all the questions but this is something that is very important to me! Thank you!!
True, that’s the way it works. You can pay the housing fee, before submitting your final application (at least last year you could). If you pay the fee in September, you’re fine. Even in October is fine.
Yes, see the following link for details.
http://questions.ufl.edu/faq/how-do-i-request-a-roommate/
http://www.housing.ufl.edu/undergrad/room-signup/
First, Windsor is a private housing, that’s not related to the university. It is right next to campus, and some really like it, but it’s similar to getting an apartment and doesn’t follow the normal UF housing process.
Otherwise, it’s really hard to tell which is best for “you’. They all have pluses and minuses. Typical freshman dorms are Jennings and Broward. Others can share their opinions.
@Gator88NE - do you have any idea how hard it is to get a single room?
My son is a rising senior too, and I’m wondering if this is do-able without some sort of accommodation request. He’s social but also needs down time and quiet to focus.
I was just curious, not a huge deal either way. Thanks for asking your question @thewaywayback . I wasn’t aware you could pay your housing deposit that early.
Thank you so much for your help! @Gator88NE
@SouthFloridaMom9 Sorry, I should have said the “Housing Application Fee” ($25), The housing deposit is only paid after you’ve been accepted to the University.
It’s fairly hard to get a single (without an accommodation request). Some of the housing options allow you to have a single room in an “apartment” style room, such as Lakeside Complex. However, to be honest, for a freshman, having a roommate and being in one of the more social dorms is a plus. This is when they start building their circle of friends and learning how to deal with a roommate. The more social dorms are also located closer to classes and the library.
The new Infinity Hall looks nice (as do the “single suite” layout, but I don’t know how available it will be for Freshman.
http://www.housing.ufl.edu/area/infinity-hall/
Good Luck!
More on Infinity Hall…
http://www.alligator.org/news/campus/article_11a98fba-30f7-11e5-a452-8bfd69cdc244.html
My son got very lucky and got a single room in Jennings which was his top choice. He didn’t apply for housing until early November because we weren’t aware of the housing process until he received an email. When he was initially able to select a room he couldn’t even get a double in Jennings. He was able to go on a waiting list for a Jennings single. I honestly thought there was no way he would get it, but he did. So it may not be likely, but it is possible. Definitely apply for housing early.