I’m a transfer student, going from community college to a university in Baltimore. This might sound stupid but I was really looking forward to the “college experience,” with a dorm and everything. Got an email today that said they can’t guarantee housing for any transfer students because of overenrollment.
Anyone else experience this? Any tips for looking for affordable-yet-safe housing in August when you’re not able to view apartments in person?
Oy. Nice of them to give you the heads up. Let your fingers start doing the walking. There must be some info on the school website about off-campus housing resources. You are not the only person in this situation - there may be a way to hook up with folks on Facebook.
The housing office might have listings of student apartments, those looking for roommates. Some of the Baltimore schools are very close to other Baltimore schools, so check those schools too for ‘looking for a roommate’ situations.
Sometimes you just have to rent sight unseen. It’s likely there would be pics on the internet.
I’ve been hearing over enrollment stories at many, many schools, my daughter’s included. They miss calculated yield. At least at my daughter’s school, the college is spear heading getting students into off campus housing and trying to match roommates. There is also an active FB group. Call housing at your college and see if they have any suggestions for off campus housing. At some campuses, off campus housing can be adjacent to campus and even more convenient than some of the dorms.
Same story at my kid’s school. Sounds like everybody over-enrolled this year. We’re just hoping that the still-under-construction sophomore dorm will be finished in time for her move-in in 2 weeks.
Craigslist is one place to look for housing. Both my kids have used it from afar.
I’d contact ResLife and find out 1) when you will be given a definitive answer/ do they expect housing to open up? and 2) if they can suggest any resources for off-campus housing.
I don’t blame you for being disappointed – hope something works out well for you.
Thanks everyone, for the prompt responses.
happy1, the wording in the email directly: “While the assignments process is fluid and spaces may open up as we get closer to orientation, as of this moment we cannot guarantee transfer students space on campus. We strongly urge transfer students to begin your search for off campus housing. We are exploring every option we can to accommodate your requests and will continue to do so in the coming weeks. If we are able to find you on campus housing we will contact you immediately and let you know for sure if on campus housing is available by August 15th or sooner.”
Basically: Maybe there will be housing, but I doubt it 
I requested access to an off-campus housing FB group and I’m currently looking at apartments in the area. Neither of my parents have ever rented an apartment so I’m Googling like mad haha. I’ve heard a lot of naive students get scammed with sight-unseen apartments so I’m scared/cautious about everything.
I’ll have to contact them soon regardless — I have to figure out how refunds works, given that I already paid for housing in my tuition. I mean, it’s not like they can just take that money and not give me the housing… right?
No, certainly keeping your housing $ would be unethical on top of their already poor planning and projections. Let’s plan for the worst, but hope and pray for the best.
On a side note, one state school I know of didn’t have the newly constructed dorms completed in time, so they put everyone assigned to those dorms up the Hilton across the street until they were ready :-j
I’d look for other housing options if I were you.
However, I still can’t believe that this happened to you, I’d expect them to be more organized about the overall housing process.
Terrible. I am so sorry this happened to you and hopefully you get your typical college experience and dorm housing after all but I wouldn’t count on it. After you get your off campus apartment, dive into everything else campus life wise to avoid feeling like you are missing out. Join clubs/organizations/Greek life, study groups, go on school initiated trips, maybe get an on campus meal plan, etc. Good luck.
I have seen this happening at some colleges. Where it has happened, the college has usually warned students about the housing situation (not enough dorm space for all incoming students) and said dorm space is first come, first served. Then they use a apartment locating service to help the ones without dorm rooms. Since there are always some incoming freshman that do not actually attend the college, some dorm space may open up. In the instances where this has happened, deposits were always returned when no space became available.
If the university has a student housing Facebook page, it’s a great resource to see what’s available and get reviews/opinions on things you come across.
This is a transfer student. The school may not have completed transfer acceptances until after May 1 freshmen, so I understand them not getting notices to all transfers about housing.
To OP, if you can find an apartment or a room really close to the dorms you might consider getting a meal plan so you can eat with other students.
My student was looking at apt housing in Baltimore for a possible job, and there seemed to be a number of apt. buildings which are privately owned near the University of Baltimore, and rented only to undergrads and very recent grads. There are various roommate and # of bedroom options, and students can often sign up for a roommate matching service. I think the “Varsity” was one building we looked at. My son didn’t wind up going to Baltimore, but there seemed to be off campus options which offered more of a “campus” community than just getting a random small apt in the city.
One big state school has an ingenious solution to this - they put 3 students in 2-people room, all 3 get discounted room fee … and get this… by semester/year end, one of the 3 will drop out.