The department of resident life does not guarantee on campus housing for juniors (even though our tour guide said that they do). What is a good strategy for junior year? Get a priority number in March for an on campus dorm and go on the waitlist until August? Try to get into the Courtyards or South Campus Commons (sign up is in January)? When should students give up and look for off campus housing?
@Engineering713 - My D is a sophomore and just went through this. The applications for Courtyards and South Campus Commons opened the day after winter break and had to be submitted by Feb 11. Everyone who submitted an application got a priority number on March 11. This number is ONLY for Courtyards and Commons. New lease signing appointments started on March 21.
The best strategy is to get 4 students who want to live together in an apartment and go to the lease signing appointment of the one with the best lottery number. Priority is given to rising juniors (current sophomores). They ALL have to be present. but proxies can be set up. The one with the best number picks an apartment and “pulls in” the other three. They each have to provide 2 checks $30 for processing and $300 towards 1st months rent. It is a 12 month lease.
There are 1, 2 and 3 room apartments, but most are 4 bedroom. My D was in a group of 3 and they got the last 3 bedroom unit that was left and they had an appointment on the first day. Students currently in a apartment have the choice of staying before others get in.
The rent is more than dorm costs. Approximately $900 a student. Terrapin Row (technically an off campus complex) is opening this fall and they or just across the road from Commons, but the rents seem to start at $1000 a month per student.
So the best strategy is a group of 4 and a good lottery number.
I hope this helps.
SoofDad, my son just went through the process, too. I would like to add to the above strategy…start with four people but have a plan of splitting into two and two if needed. My son’s group of four had to do this and he got the last 2 bedroom in Courtyards.
@Twillsmomnp - Thank you. That’s a very good point