<p>For past transfer or anyone who has any insight:</p>
<p>Transfer decisions won't be released until May but for many schools the housing deposit and housing decisions are due around March. Is there a way to get around paying the deposit but still get housing if transfer plans fall through?</p>
<p>Also, what is the best way to approach friends who are asking you to live with them next year, especially if they do not know your plans? On the one hand, I don't want to put them in a difficult situation by backing out, but I also do want to live with them if I'm still here next semester.</p>
<p>This is one of the sticky parts of transferring. You likely have to call housing at your school to see what their withdrawl policy is.</p>
<p>As far as roommates, it seems like the only ethical thing to do is to tell them the truth and let them decide if they want to take a chance with you or put in for a single/not designate a roommate. At least at my D's school they said that if she was planning to room with someone and she withdrew, the roommate would either have to pay the total price of a double or be put in an open pool and get a random roommate. That left no choice except to tell the girl that she was planning to room with that she couldn't since she might transfer.</p>
<p>i chose not to apply for housing, and will just take my chances. if i do transfer, great, if i do not, then i will still have a few months to secure a lease on an apartment near campus (which happens to be cheaper than on-campus housing - gotta love GW.)</p>
<p>note: i am applying for junior standing, i'm not sure if all schools allow sophomores to live off-campus so i'm not sure if this applies.</p>
<p>Living off campus is really uncommon/undesirable at my school so I think I will look into what the withdrawal policy is.</p>
<p>In terms of telling my potential roommates, it looks like it's what I'm going to have to do. Of course once I tell one group of people then everyone that I know on campus will probably find out too. </p>
<p>I'm only applying for one school, and it's pretty difficult to get into, so there's a very real chance that I'll still be here next year.</p>
<p>AHHH I signed up for housing today and two hours later got my first acceptance letter! So annoying. </p>
<p>But I just told my mom I'll pay the void fee if I transfer, because I'd rather be safe then sorry. </p>
<p>Personally I told the girls I'm living with there's a chance and they were okay, they just want to know as soon as I make my decision. I'm not gonna say anything until I'm 100% sure I'm leaving though so they don't know I got accepted or anything yet. I think being as up front as possible with the smallest number of people necessary is the best way to go, and ask your friends genuinely to be respectful enough to keep it on the down low for you. If any of them has a heart they'll do it. </p>
<p>Yeah, I figured that I would tell people that I'm just applying to keep my options open, and if I get in then I will make the decision at that point. I guess that's mostly true.</p>
<p>@whatisthewhat, out of curiosity, what was the void fee at your school?</p>
<p>It's a hard situation. Telling your potential roommate is difficult as, at least for me, nothing is sure at all; everything is up in the air. Plus, once one person knows, everyone knows and some people seem to view you differently because you want to transfer. I've already met a bit of criticism, along with support, however.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm afraid that some of my friends will take it personally. It would be easier if I could just leave and have no regrets, but I certainly don't want to lose the friendships I've made. I'm starting to think it's pretty inevitable that I won't be able to maintain the "level" of my friendships if I transfer.</p>