You’ve decided where you’ll be attending school in the fall, and accepted your offer of admissions, but you’re not quite done with the decision-making. Whether residence weighed in on your application decisions or not, it’s always a good idea to become an informed consumer when it comes to living options. Not only does each university come with its own approach to student housing, each campus offers a range in accommodations, features, and price tags!
First and foremost, it’s important to take note of residence application deadlines, especially if there is a guarantee in place on your offer of admission. “Guaranteed residence” often comes with the condition of applying by a certain date. And while most universities in Eastern Canada only allow admitted students to apply for residence, places like UBC, UVic, University of Calgary, University of Alberta, and SFU allow all prospective students to submit their residence applications prior to a decision on their file. Take note of application fees, and whether these are refundable should you not be admitted. The early bird gets the worm – so the earlier you apply, the more likely you will be to get your top choice accommodation.
Weighing your options
The range in accommodations is as vast as the types of students they attract. It’s no longer uncommon to find numerous options within one university campus: single rooms, double rooms, private bathrooms, kitchenettes, full apartments, converted hotels – the list goes on. So how should prospective students tackle the decision-making? A great first step is to take an inventory of the options at your top schools. Items to pay attention to during this exercise:
- Room type and building features
Do you want a single room? Shared, double? An apartment or suite? A hotel room? Take advantage of any virtual tours or slideshows available on university websites to get a feel for the place. Bathrooms are often a big ticket item in considering room options. While some residences only have shared bathrooms and showers on each floor, others feature private bathrooms in each room. It’s also good to note that some room types have restrictions when it comes to meal plans. Finally, some residences are reserved for first-year students, while others offer housing to a mix of students.
- Proximity to campus, to department, to classes
Some university campuses are surprisingly big! Beyond that, some urban universities like McGill even offer residences off-campus. How close to the heart of the action do you want to be? How close do you want to be to your classes? It might be a good idea to scout out the location of your department, and map it out in respect to the available residences.
- Special communities
UVic is a great example of how some universities make special communities available to students. They allow students to apply to “living communities” based on their interests, such as “Sustainability”, “Academic Engagement”, etc. On some university campuses, student athletes all live together. At others, you will find the divide along Faculty lines: Business, Arts, Engineering, etc. Note that some of these special living communities require supplemental applications. And finally, know that it’s often possible to also request same sex, alcohol free, or even “quiet” accommodations.
- Food
Do you want a no-fuss, all-you-can-eat meal plan? Do you prefer to cook for yourself? Do you want 24-hour access? How much flexibility do you want? Do you have dietary restrictions to account for? In most cases you will find that meal plans are mandatory, but not all are created equal. Weigh your options and read the fine print.
- Cost
Each option comes at a price. Different buildings, room types, and meal plans offer variety in choice and cost. You can expect to pay more for added luxuries, such as private bathrooms and kitchenettes, while shared double rooms tend to be more affordable.
With these things in mind, you should be equipped to make an informed, thoughtful decision about your first-year accommodations. Remember that many residences close during the holiday break, and that your “lease” typically ends at the end of the spring semester, so plan trips home or alternate living arrangements accordingly. Once major decisions including school selection and residence selection have been made, there are still other important decisions regarding course selection and school orientation. Stay tuned as we discuss these next steps in the coming weeks.
Need assistance with weighing the residence options at your school of choice, or still deciding which school you should attend in the fall? Book an appointment with your consultant to discuss your options. Contact our office at (604) 922-8456 or e-mail info@options-wp.chhdev.com for appointment availability.
