@greenbutton here are last years rates. https://hfs.psu.edu/fall-2018-spring-2019#up_undergrad
I tried to find the $ amounts for ‘enrollment deposit’ and ‘housing deposit’ on the Admissions website. Anyone have these amounts?
Is there a selection for new and/or renovated? Do you have a MUCH better shot at your choice if you submit deposit early?
@Sophley how did your daughter get in the new dorm??
@HelenH , once you pay the deposit, you are put on the housing list. The higher your spot on the list, the more likely you are to get your first preference. Your son or daughter can log in to eLiving (once fee is paid) and indicate what housing area (East has the most renovated dorms and is all freshmen) and select renovated or unrenovated. You can change these preferences a gazillion times thru May 1st, or whatever date is listed on eLiving. Housing is assigned based on the date when deposit was paid, not when you indicate preference in eLiving. So there’s no rush.
@Sophley Thank you!! Thinking of submitting deposit and chancing losing it if decide to go elsewhere. Worth it to get decent housing. In your opinion, if I put deposit in now do you think I’ll still be in a good position on the list?? I’m thinking it’s only about a month after decision came out so hopefully will be in a good spot!! Fingers crossed.
@HelenH, that’s really hard to tell as decisions have been rolling out and this year appears to be an anomaly with respect to the number of EA students. I’d hate to give you bad advice because it involves money. That being said, if you are waiting for financial aid and require it, I wouldn’t put down the deposit as PSU is notoriously stingy. If cost isn’t a concern and PSU is your top choice, then yes, I’d do it.
@Sophley Thanks for that advice. I was curious about the financial aid aspect - received a letter stating scholarships will be awarded in February - crossed my mind that if I put deposit in prior I may nix my changes for $$. Just curious, in what month did you put your daughters deposit in?
@HelenH , my daughter was notified on 2/1 after midnight…so technically 2/2. She applied on the first day the app was open that year and was supposed to hear by 1/31, but they had a problem with the portal. She put her deposit down immediately. However, she found a roommate who accepted her offer and put down the deposit in early December, so getting into the new dorm was really based on her roommate’s day of deposit. Back then, there were only two new dorms (Earle and Robinson). Next year, there will be several, so it’s a slightly different situation.
@HelenH - if this helps - My son was admitted 3rd week of Jan last year, accepted offer before Jan 31 and secured renovated east hall housing.
@krabbiek Thank you!
If you accept your offer anytime before late March, you are very likely to receive your first choice. After April, your chances decline, but the housing is not so different that you need to be anxious. There is also a room exchange board on eLiving to trade assignments, but that can be more work than it is worth. No worries!
Anyone have advice on best way to find a roommate at University Park? PSU doesn’t have a roommate match website. Social Media, Random??
@emonstr403 My D17 found her summer and fall roommate on a facebook group that usually gets started somehow. Both worked out great. Also was able to connect with a group of girls in our area before starting at PSU. They would get together a few times during their senior year. Definitely worth checking into.
anyone know chances of getting housing on campus AFTER freshman year? don’t like the thought of scrambling to find apartment off campus. prefer staying on campus throughout 4 years.
@HelenH Chances go up if they are part of a SLO (https://housing.psu.edu/special-living-options) Or if they become an RA. Otherwise, it’s a lottery, and of course, there is no way to give the odds of winning a lottery. I do know of a lot of kids who’ve stayed on campus for two years. It is less common to stay on campus all 4 years. Most students move off campus at some point.
@helenH, it can also be cheaper to move off campus, mainly because you aren’t required to pay for on campus dining.
when is the deadline for accepting the summer session offer?
Summer Session Housing consists of Pollock or South Halls? Any preferences of one over the other?
@off2co11ege Pollock and South are adjacent to each other, so same area of campus. South has some renovated dorms but I’m not sure if they put summer students in them. My daughter was in Pollock for her summer program and loved it. But I don’t think you can go wrong with South - especially if you can get into a renovated.