UVA - upperclass housing

[Anonymous]

Is it difficult to get on-campus housing at UVA as a sophomore and up? My child is interested in living on-campus beyond the first year (prefer a single, doesn't mind suite or apt style) but has heard there is a big rush to secure roommates and off campus housing as early as October of their first year when they barely have started college and still making friends?

[Anonymous]

Same concern from my recently admitted daughter. Any advice is appreciated!

[Anonymous]

We were just there on a tour last week or so -- Guide said that it is required 1st year and then guaranteed the 2nd year... and if you use it 2nd year, then it's guaranteed 3rd, if you use it 3rd, guaranteed 4th. Sounded like there were a lot of 2nd - 4th year options.

[Anonymous]

Many people want to move off grounds because it's closer to the Corner, and to the Greek houses. I have two there, both booked off grounds apartment leases by Nov 15th of first year. Worked out fine, though my DD is not really friends with her roommate anymore, they can tolerate each other and she'll be moving next year. My DS is living with his first year roommate and two others and its been great.

Certainly there is plenty of housing if someone wants to stay in grounds. They paticipate in a lottery and the rising second years have priority so they tend to get the better/newer dorms, which are typically apartment style. If you move off grounds and then try to come back, you will get the worst options as you'd be last in the lottery.

Its really not a concern at UVA. Even if your kid decides in early spring that they want to live off grounds, there will still be options, though they may be expensive or not as desirable.

[Anonymous]

What is the approximate percentage of upperclass students that live on grounds vs off grounds? If housing is available beyond the first year would finding a group of friends that want to stay on grounds for sophomore year be the issue because it seems that many want to move off campus?

[Anonymous]

We just went through this. There is quite a rush for non-UVA run off grounds housing in October with almost everything gone by late October. UVA assigns housing later so if you don't find what you want then on-ground is still an option. Overall 62% of undergrads are in off grounds housing (100% of first years, 43% of second-years, 14% of third-years, and 8% percent for fourth-years).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were just there on a tour last week or so -- Guide said that it is required 1st year and then guaranteed the 2nd year... and if you use it 2nd year, then it's guaranteed 3rd, if you use it 3rd, guaranteed 4th. Sounded like there were a lot of 2nd - 4th year options.

DD lived at Lambeth field second year, then moved to the Flats for year 3 and 4. Yes, a lot of kids preplan this well in advance because - at least for the flats - you usually get four students together to sign on and that takes some effort. No issues with either on campus or off campus housing

[Anonymous]

Your kid says that now but once they’re on campus they think differently.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kid says that now but once they’re on campus they think differently.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just went through this. There is quite a rush for non-UVA run off grounds housing in October with almost everything gone by late October. UVA assigns housing later so if you don't find what you want then on-ground is still an option. Overall 62% of undergrads are in off grounds housing (100% of first years, 43% of second-years, 14% of third-years, and 8% percent for fourth-years).

Sorry, mixed that up a bit. Overall 62% of undergrads are in off grounds housing. 100% of first years are on grounds, 43% of second-years are on grounds, 14% of third-years are on grounds, and 8% percent for fourth-years are on grounds..

[Anonymous]

I think this is the case of many colleges.

UVA freshman year, living in the dorms is required, and they are specific first year dorms.

People do start grouping finding roommates and signing leases in the late fall, but that’s typical many colleges. However, it was kind of considered a bit nerdy to live on campus, and 2nd through 4th year I lived in an apartment that was on the bus line and was probably as close as some of upperclassmen class housing on campus. Different friend groups every year.

It’s the kind of thing not to worry about until the fall and your student will handle it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is the case of many colleges.

UVA freshman year, living in the dorms is required, and they are specific first year dorms.

People do start grouping finding roommates and signing leases in the late fall, but that’s typical many colleges. However, it was kind of considered a bit nerdy to live on campus, and 2nd through 4th year I lived in an apartment that was on the bus line and was probably as close as some of upperclassmen class housing on campus. Different friend groups every year.

It’s the kind of thing not to worry about until the fall and your student will handle it.

yep, and I will say many off grounds apartments are CLOSER than ongrounds. Kids want to get off grounds, they want to feel like they are adults, not living in a dorm, no matter how nice it may be.

[Anonymous]

My accepted kid is already worried about the idea of having to know who they would live with second year (if they go to UVA). Dean J recently addressed this and said that there are apartments available later in the year. I hope that’s the case!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My accepted kid is already worried about the idea of having to know who they would live with second year (if they go to UVA). Dean J recently addressed this and said that there are apartments available later in the year. I hope that’s the case!

Buy they don’t. It’s easy to get second year housing. Why do you think second year will be a problem? DS and friends all lived on campus second year (Lambeth)

[Anonymous]

UVA is building more upperclassmen housing. For now, especially check out Bond. Nearby, around Student Health, a new dorm is rising. I’m unsure of the finish date.