UCL accomodation - does anyone have any words of wisdom?

[Revengeofthepangolins]

Am making slightly heavy weather of understanding the UCL undergraduate accommodation issue - how they allocate (first come first served ? ballot once the deadline has passed?) especially given one can't choose particular buildings, how to help nudge ones application towards getting one of the options one really wants, and how it works with the integrated halls, some of which appear on the UCL list and some (eg Garden Halls) don't seem to - if one specifies an intercollegiate hall via UCL and don't get it, how do they then choose where to put you?
Also, in a few places on the website is says that in 2020-21 they weren't allocating catered rooms because of covid - did this mean they left those rooms empty? Am wondering in case that happens again this year, putting pressure on room availability.
Any words of wisdom or experience on any of the above, or just observations about any of the UCL or intercollegiate blocks very gratefully received.

Not half!

Any positive notification news @Revengeofthepangolins ?

Still waiting here... emails sent but no response yet

He has been allocated - email came day before yesterday I think. Although it changed on the portal (although confusingly) a day before the email came which caused us loads of angst, fearing that he’s miss the acceptance date

A daughter of a friend last year sis t hear h til the end of august so I don’t think there is cause to panic yet.

But there was a welcome to UCL type email on or around results day. Totally uninformatice but I found it comforting.

That's great and good news!

He must be so relieved and can plan ahead in confidence.

It does make it seem a bit more real!

DS had his UCL place confirmed on ucas track, but heard nothing accommodation. Do students get accommodation offers via email or postal letters. Should my DS be chasing up UCL accommodation office tomorrow?

My DC at other London accommodation, but all online. DC2 was asked to pay her deposit by email or through the accommodation portal, not sure

@portico. Yes, I think sensible to chase, although one can only email, frustratingly. I think the UCL accommodation Facebook page says that allocations will drag on through the month or even into early September but the FAQs say mid august, so worth getting a query in.

Make sure DC is checking the right email - it will be the one that the confirmation of having applied successfully was sent to.

Also, DS1’s status on the UCL accommodation portal changed before he got his email although that might have been because he has been allocated an intercollegiate hall, so the email came from them, not UCL (so watching/searching emails for UCL addresses won’t help in that case). But worth checking the portal directly.

@portico no information on accomodation for us as well... frustrating...

Doesn't help the Accomodation Portal seems broken as well

We've emailed and emailed....standard we'll get back to you in 1-3 days emails...

Been patient but definitely frustrating...

Just wanted to positively feed back to those who might still be waiting, that the emails were followed up, portal issue fixed and allocation came in yesterday, so they are steadily working through the list.

DS got a room on Friday. He did not get an en-suite as we hoped.

@portico glad to hear you now have also had accomodation allocated:)

We had the same issue of non-ensuite as hoped, so had to go through a period of 'expectation adjustment'!

It did help with mine when they joined the specific hall's online group chat.

After the long wait it was also just a relief to get confirmation! Glad that's sorted for you.

Hi alwayslearning789

I am glad you have got your DC’s room sorted. Now enjoy the last few weeks before they fly the nest. I’ll have it all to come again in 2023 when DS2 does the same 😔

When I went to UCL (albeit 2 decades ago), ensuites were not a thing. I shared communal washing/ toileting facilities with the whole floor. Yes sometimes the cleanliness left a lot to be desired ..... but hey Ho this was our lot and all was fine

@chopc

When I went to UCL (albeit 2 decades ago), ensuites were not a thing. I shared communal washing/ toileting facilities with the whole floor. Yes sometimes the cleanliness left a lot to be desired ..... but hey Ho this was our lot and all was fine

Same here but in my case it was just over 3 decades ago 😳

I think we are both ex UCL medics @Chilldonaldchill ?

OMG I have my maths wrong - it has been 21 years since I graduated and therefore almost 27 years since I joined - so we must have been there at the same time Chil

@chopc

I think we are both ex UCL medics *@Chilldonaldchill* ?

Yes I qualified 25 years ago so we would have overlapped for a bit!

Hm, Chill and Chopc, also at UCL 26 years ago...

@Notagardener 👋🏽

@Notagardener hello!

My niece is struggling with UCL accommodation at the moment - she really needs an en-suite room for medical reasons, but hasn't been allocated one.
Does anyone know her chances her of getting one if she submits her doctor's certificate?

to all the UCL alumni on the thread, I was a fresher there in '93. A bit weird that DD is going there soon, I keep regaling her with tales of Cocktail Nights at the union.

bottersnikes has your niece been in touch with the disability office? Mine has found them really helpful, they liaised with the accommodation people to sort out her room (she has applied for DSA though).