<p>Can anyone explain how the housing lottery works? My S will be a sophomore next year. We registered early for "Early Bird" housing so he apparently gets "5 priority points". Any information will be helpful.
Thanks!!</p>
<p>This is something new this year, I only just saw it yesterday. I asked my DS about it and he had no idea they could even register for next year.</p>
<p>The Early Bird Housing Registration began on October 26. You have to submit a $200.00 Housing deposit when you do this. The “priority points” given as a result of doing this improves an individual student’s chances of getting a better lottery position (as delineated in the Housing website). It is my understanding that another way of improving ones chances to get the housing one desires is to apply together in a group. The larger the group the better as the lottery position of the best one in the group is the one that is used for the whole group. For example if you have 16 students applying for Christiania Towers as a group together the odds of getting it are much better than if a student applies just as an individual. Obviously if all these 16 students also apply as “early birds” than the chances would be even better. However, to the best of my knowledge, UD generally has always met the on-campus housing needs of all upper class students, just not always where a particular student might prefer. The overwhelming majority of upper class students live off-campus.</p>
<p>Jbsmom, I don’t believe they register until the spring, but the Early Bird registration started already. My S wants honors housing in a single but don’t know if he’ll be able to get that. Can they put a second choice down in case he doesn’t get the single?</p>
<p>Tigerm, I have no idea how it works this year. Last year he registered with a group for honors housing. He was the group contact since he needed air conditioning for allergies and also had the most credits of the group. His roommate is applying to be an RA, so things are still up in the air. His first choice would be current roommate, if not a single in Sharp, but I’m not sure if they get choices now or later. I just emailed him the info and told him to take care of it!</p>
<p>Jbs, Maybe they’ll get to meet! Sharp is one of the dorms my S wants for next year. I wasn’t sure if they can apply as a group. He is a freshman, but technically a sophomore. I think he still has to register as a freshman. Very unclear how the system works, but I’m sure they’ll send info as it gets closer.</p>
<p>Can someone explain how you found out about this Early Bird Registration? Is it for next year, or next semester? Thanks!</p>
<p>It is for next year, not next semester. You can find out additional information about it and sign up for it if you are interested (on-line) on UD’s Housing Assignment website. The actual housing assignments will not be released until the Spring semester after all of the housing request applications for upper class students have been submitted by the deadline.</p>