Finally feeling settled into your sophomore-year housing? Too bad. It’s time to start thinking about housing for next year! You’ll want to get a head start because, unfortunately, junior year housing is probably the most chaotic. 

For one, you’ll most likely be transitioning into apartment living for the first time, which is a big change. This comes with an avalanche of options, from locations, to layouts, to buildings. Not to mention, the crucial decision of whether you want to live in a WashU-owned building.

So, how do you approach junior year housing? Well, I’m not here to tell you whether you should pick a WashU-owned apartment. Non-WashU-owned properties can work really well for a lot of people, both financially and priority-wise. They are generally cheaper, and there are a wealth of options in the neighborhoods surrounding campus. 

There are many advantages to living in WashU-owned housing as well. To name a few, you don’t have to deal with a landlord or a lease, all of the apartments are furnished, the cost of utilities are included, maintenance responds quickly, and the apartments are generally very nice. My roommates and I couldn’t be happier in the Lofts Apartments, and we plan on living there again next year. If you decide on WashU-owned, however, there are some things to keep in mind during the housing selection process, especially because it’s different from sophomore year housing selection. Here are five pieces of advice for the WashU-owned selection process.

1. Know your options 

Each WashU-owned property looks very different. It’s important that you and your group research all of the different options. The on-campus apartments are Village East (VEast) and Millbrook, both located in the Village. The off-campus options are the Lofts, University Drive (UDrive), Rosedale Court, and Greenway. Their locations, amenities, and even the number of bedrooms vary significantly. For example, the Lofts and VEast have dishwashers, while Greenway and UDrive don’t. The latter two have a good amount of street parking while the Lofts has a parking garage. Some rooms have twin mattresses, while others have full-size mattresses. The Lofts has its own mailroom, while most of the others use the Village mailroom. Some apartments are older and reflect that stylistically, while some are sleek and modern. The costs of each of these apartment complexes vary as well, with VEast being the most expensive and Rosedale the cheapest. There is a lot to consider, so it’s critical to think about your priorities. Make sure to consult the ResLife website to see how each of the properties stack up. 

2. Groups of three are best 

Here’s where it gets difficult. While there are apartments across the different properties that have between one and eight bedrooms, the vast majority have three bedrooms. This means that you will have the most options in a group of three. Also, if you are in a group with more or less than three people, it is more likely that your group will be administratively assigned, and you won’t have a choice as to what apartment you get. Being administratively assigned is not the end of the world; ResLife does its best to accommodate student preferences. That being said, odds are you will get placed in an apartment other than your first choice. It’s not absolutely necessary, especially depending on the building you’re shooting for, but a group of three is certainly easiest. 

3. Make sure all of your roommates are on the same page

Once you’ve formed your group, decided on WashU-owned, and done a little research, you will want to make sure you’re aware of each of your priorities. That way, you can make sure everyone gets what they want. My group found it easiest to individually research the properties and then make lists of our priorities. Afterward, we came back together and collated our lists. We used this to figure out what buildings were best for us. Not every apartment is going to have everything the group wants, but sorting through options is easiest when you’re informed.  

4. Know the layouts

The layouts available in each location are very different. If you have no preference, that’s okay! But if you do, you’re going to want to sort through the layouts ahead of time. There are a lot of different types of layouts, especially in the Lofts, UDrive, and Greenway. What’s worse is that on selection day, you don’t get to see the layout you’re picking — only the room number. This is something that can catch you by surprise during the heart-racing, adrenaline-filled moments when your time slot begins. Think about your living style and discuss what fits your group’s needs. Unfortunately, ResLife took down the floor plan PDFs of all of the apartments this year, so you might have to do some internet deep-dives and guesswork. My best advice is to go to upperclassmen friends and ask to see their apartments. Keep a list of the room numbers with layouts you like. And a little hint: if you like a layout, the units above and below probably have the same layout! (For example, there is a good chance that room 210 and 310 will have the same layout as room 410, although this isn’t a guarantee.)

5. Stay calm on selection day

Just like sophomore year selection, your group will receive a time slot about a week before selection begins. If your group doesn’t get a time slot (meaning you’ve been administratively assigned) that’s okay! You will still have somewhere to live. If you do get a timeslot, this is where all of your research and prioritizing pays off. Make sure you are ready when your time slot begins. Have your list open and the housing portal up. Take a deep breath. It’s going to work out, no matter what!