See that kid? The one in the box? He seems to be getting by, but deep down inside, he wishes someone had shown him this article. Some of you may have read this piece in its original installment almost a year ago, while others may just be wondering: is it really time to start worrying about housing?
Yes. Yes it is. Here’s the thing; I truly don’t want to panick anyone. The world won’t end if you don’t get housing, you just, well, you just won’t have anywhere to live I guess. Last year I published this advice column simply out of desperation when I got, yet again, a number far above a reasonable one. This year I can proudly say the housing lottery no longer phases me (I get a diploma instead of a number) but I have sympathy for everyone who is about to go through what I went through these past three years.
I specifically feel sorry for the rising Juniors and Seniors, because unfortunately for you, students can’t live in the Mandel Center so aside from saying a fond fairwell to the toxins in Grad, the housing situation really hasn’t changed much. You still have to wonder if you’re going to be living in a box, and you still need a game plan.
Not to worry because I’ve got you covered. Here are steps 1-6 (and a bonus)Â for surviving the housing lottery after receiving that fateful number in the (e) -mail.
1) DON’T WASTE TIME: While it may be soothing to call all of your other ill-fated friends with numbers in the 2,000’s to complain about your bad fortune, don’t waste time in approaching as many of your friends as possible to ask what number they drew and if they have found living partners. Communication is everything! Most living arrangements are made by the end of the first week post-lottery email.
2) Know your odds: The catch-22 of the housing lottery is planning the correct number of people for your dorm. If you know you’re number isn’t good enough for a Ridgewood (generally a 4-person suite) don’t pick only 4 people and get stuck looking for 2 more to fill a Ziv! Since this was written, Grad became a reasonable place to live, so I should warn you that there are 5-person Grads, 3-person grads, and 2-person grads. For Seniors: there are 4- and 6-person Mods. Research the numbers; which housing requires which amount of room mates, and plan accordingly. If you are on the cusp make sure that the people in your group know the odds and are willing to have a backup plan. If you have a reasonably good number but haven’t looked for suite mates, a few suites in Ziv remain open for singles. Above all remember that not all is lost; while it may not be the most ideal campus housing, last year rooms officially ran out at #2,136, (Upperclassmen numbers start at #1,000) all in all not so bad a statistic. This is me trying to make you feel better…don’t get too comfortable though, that 2136 probably got someone a single in Massel.
3) Looking Out for Number ___? Whatever your personal number may be, make sure that you plan a safety net for yourself. If you find a group of people to live with, make sure they have everyone’s best interest at heart. If you feel as though it may fall through, look for a backup plan; perhaps someone with a slightly less impressive number so that there is some time between their selections to determine your situation. For some reason I didn’t mention this: look off campus! Most places don’t require you to sign a lease till Spring but it pays to look early! Also you don’t have to eat Usdan mush.
4) Understand Costs and Benefits: Yes, I like puns. But in actuality it is important to be aware that different housing options have different price tags, up to $2,000 different as a matter of fact! The best housing is one that fits both your needs and limitations, for example a grad or a mod (both at an equal distance from campus) has a kitchen while Ziv suites do not.
5) They’re Not Kidding About the Paperwork: Be on top of your paperwork and deadlines: if you chose to withdraw from the lottery, or will be unable to attend your selection (even if it is someone else’s number) you MUST fill out a proxy form. Failure to do so will result in your paying even more for our already overpriced housing. In addition, once housing selection is complete you will receive notification about when you can withdraw without a penalty and in what increments you begin to accrue charges as you wait longer to withdraw.
6) The Fine Print: Finally you need to remember a few important factoids: Juniors and Seniors cannot pull in or be pulled in by Sophomores or Freshmen. Study abroad students will participate in a separate housing lottery and cannot pull in students who will not study abroad in the coming year. My joke about buying lottery numbers was JUST A JOKE and can result in serious punishment: please don’t do it and say I told you to. Still mean this. Seriously.
*7) Preventative Measures: If you know someone who is thinking of living off campus, ask them not to withdraw from the lottery just yet! If they get a good number, they can always pull you in and then decide whether or not to drop out. Who knows, they may even end up liking their lot. As long as they follow rule number 5 this will cost them nothing and could save you the cost of insulating an old TV box.
So good luck in your search and here’s to another great Brandeis tradition!
HC Brandeis Love,
Abi