<p>I'm applying to a lot of different schools, and UF is pretty low on the list of schools I want to be at (even though I live in florida). So the question is- should I wait until I receive all of my admissions decisions before I apply for housing, or should I apply now? Is UF so big that I would get a terrible dorm or no dorm if I waited until March to apply for housing?</p>
<p>It would seem unlikely that you would get on campus housing if you waited until March. You could always get an apartment off campus though.</p>
<p>My roommate and I both faced this decision last year. We both applied to many OOS schools and were hesitant to apply for the housing. I chose to apply, while she chose to wait slightly longer than me. I applied on the second earliest date; she applied in December. The lesson we learned: APPLY EARLY, even if UF isn’t your top choice of schools. </p>
<p>You sound exactly like we did! Neither of us was really gung-ho about UF. I ended up not getting accepted many of the audition-based programs I was going for, and my roommate didn’t get in to most of the top-tier schools she applied to. UF ended up being a better decision financially than our other options. We decided UF was for us, and we realize now what a great decision it was. UF is really an excellent place to spend your college years.</p>
<p>We are really glad that I signed up for housing so early. My roommate would have otherwise ended up in a triple as a result of her extremely late housing date.</p>
<p>Definitely sign up now and then live in Beaty, best decision you will make.</p>
<p>Absolutely apply for housing! My daughter was a recruited athlete, UF was her Plan B, and we applied for and paid the housing deposit even though the chance of her attending was pretty low. College admissions is very competitive, so no guarantee you will be admitted to those schools higher on your list. And while OOS schools sound great, the reality is that often times UF is a better decision financially.</p>
<p>Like the above said, APPLY. You never know what can happen, and applying late would probably be a nightmare.</p>
<p>uhmazingmallory, I’d love to know more about what made you hestitant about UF o begin wih and especially what is is that now makes you feel that UF was a great choice. I think a lot of people are in that situation, where there is a dream school out there, but UF is a much better choice financially.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Sure! This may be a bit long.</p>
<p>Really, it wasn’t just UF that I was against. I was against the idea of Florida schools in general. However, here are the reasons I can think of as to why.</p>
<p>At the risk of sounding pretentious and/or conceited, I had a bit of a prejudice against UF because it was a state school. I’d spent my whole life planning on attending a more highly ranked, out of state university, and the idea of a public school wasn’t very appealing to me. Furthermore, I wanted desperately to get as far away from home as possible. Gainesville seemed too near, and too small, to be a fun college town.</p>
<p>I’m also not originally from Florida. I didn’t grow up loving the Gators or caring about the SEC, for you sports fans. This may seem unimportant, but it is one of the best parts of being at UF. I never understood that until I got here.</p>
<p>The state I lived in prior to FL had several schools that my parents and I had always planned on applying and attending. When we moved, those schools were no longer options, as out of state tuition is really just outlandishly expensive. So, I came to Florida with a bit of an immature vendetta against the new schools I would have to look into.</p>
<p>As I got older, it became clear that I was going to end up majoring in a performance-related degree. I was heavily involved my senior year in preparing for numerous auditions, and really got my heart set on attending one of the top-tier schools that offered a degree in the field that I wanted. I hardly even considered UF, which did have my desired degree, but whose program was not as well known or prestigious as the other schools I was interested in. Nevertheless, I did audition. After auditioning at around 25 to 30 schools, I ended up being accepted at 5. May seem low, but most colleges accept around 10-20 kids in my major each year. However, I did not get accepted to any of my 4 of 5 dream schools. I was crushed. I did, however, get accepted into UF’s program. Because none of the other schools were instate, or had much more well-known programs than Florida, I elected to go to UF.</p>
<p>Now that I’m here at UF, I couldn’t be happier. It is exactly what I always imagined college would be like. There are always fun activities to take part in, like shaving cream fights, themed dinners, ice cream socials, etc. It is literally impossible to be bored. The school really does a lot to ensure that the students are having fun and getting involved with things on campus. I have a meal plan, and I think the food is great. There’s always variety, and it’s just so convenient to have the dining centers. It was definitely worth the money. I also live in a dorm. I wont lie, it is a pretty big adjustment from living in your own room. Communal bathrooms are never fun, but UF does a good job of keeping them and the rest of the dorms clean. However, all of the halls have committees that plan fun events and activities for their residents. Just a few weeks ago, our dorm held a Haunted House event for Halloween. I think it’s so great that so much time and effort is put into keeping the students happy.</p>
<p>I’m also overjoyed to be where I am for my major. Our program is small, but tight-knit. I know everyone, and they’ve made me feel so welcome. I realized that you don’t have to attend the best university in the world to get a good education. It’s all what you make it. </p>
<p>Of course, the best thing about UF is its sports programs. I didn’t care one bit about football before I got here. Now, I’m at every game, cheering my lungs out for the Gators. It’s really just something that unifies the student body. A game at the Swamp is like nothing else. The rest of the sports teams are great as well! You get free admission to almost all of the games or events, which is great.</p>
<p>Overall, UF is just an awesome college. I am so happy here, and really I couldn’t dream of being anywhere else.</p>
<p>I hope that answered your question! Again, I apologize for the length, haha.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies, guys- I turned in my fee like a week ago guess I forgot about this thread haha. Don’t get my wrong I love UF and it’s a great school, I’d love to go there next year.</p>
<p>If I apply for housing now am I still likely to get into a dorm?</p>
<p>Don’t worry, you will be fine and no need to hurry your housing application as housing on campus is plentiful and most spots go unfilled each year anyways. (Does this sarcastic response answer your question?) As each day passes, so do your chances. HURRY UP !</p>
<p>My son has applied to UF (awaiting their decision). He is unlikely to attend even if accepted, but is there a cost to applying for housing now, or can it even be done if he has not yet been accepted?</p>
<p>It’s only $25.00, which is less than a lot of state schools (I was looking into USF’s, which is my DD’s second choice – at least among the state schools – if she doesn’t get into UF, and theirs is $225, though it is refundable, unlike UF’s). I think it is a bit of a scam to get some money out of the THOUSANDS of people they don’t accept because, obviously, if they didn’t take the housing deposit before acceptance (and most schools don’t), there wouldn’t be an issue, and it would all be first-come, first served starting February 9. Nonetheless, I’d probably put the deposit down if there was any possibility of my child going, if on-campus housing was important to me. </p>
<p>THAT said, it may already be too late.</p>
<p>Yes, apply for housing anyway! UF was my D’s 4th or 5th choice, and she is now a freshman there. Thankfully we applied for housing “just in case” and she was able to get into the dorm she wanted. College admissions and financial aid are so uncertain…just one big crapshoot. UF came through with the best $$, Honors program acceptance, and she loved the school when we toured late in the game. When she was denied at some of her top choices, UF had raced ahead of the rest of her options. Definitely pay the small fee and apply for housing just in case. We were very glad she did.</p>
<p>Guys I signed up months ago in September lol, even though UF is like my 16th choice</p>