Didn’t get preferred accommodation

[SooticaTheWitchesCat]

My DD didn’t get her preferred accommodation and they gave offered her something completely different to what she wanted.
she asked for an en suite bathroom and no-catered and they have given her shared bathroom and catered.
Is there anything she can do?
She has been trying to phone all afternoon and they aren’t answering.
She is so unhappy, she doesn’t even want to go now

You could look for private accommodation? What city is it? Often companies like unite students have halls which may go across more than one uni

Is it St Andrews? My daughter asked for catered accommodation with shared bathroom and they gave her Non- catered en suite.
However she checked it out online and decided she liked the room anyway so she’s happy enough. TBH if she is sharing with a group she gets on well with that’s the most important thing. Catered is a good way to meet people as they all eat together. Maybe your daughter is a bit anxious about going and this has just added to that?

Ah I am sorry OP that’s tough.

Re the en-suite – they are popular so often people are disappointed tbh.

Re the catered – I think tat is a bit controversial as it is a big ££ commitment and ofc won’t suit people who eat specific things (so my DD would struggle).

I think you do need to call and see what you can do.

A happy tale – DS2 messed up his accomm application (long story and not relevant) and was told he would be offered catered. He said he wanted SC – was offered a v £££ room in a SC hall – we called and said look, we can’t afford that, can you do anything else? They looked and offered a cheaper room in the same hall – so he accepted that and then was able to go on a room-swap portal and could swap to his actual choice. He wanted shared bathroom tho (to save ££) so I guess that was more available. What uni is it if you are able to say? Catered can be a good thing – what were her reasons for not wanting that? She might have to accept a shared bathroom tho.

There is always movement in accommodation in the first few weeks as students ask to change rooms or drop out if they don't like the course/university etc. I'd advise that she keeps trying to get hold of the accommodation team, by email and phone, but if there's no joy then accept the room and ask to change on arrival.

They may have a system for swapping where they can go on a list to wait for their preferred choice to come up. Mine put down for self-catered shared bathroom but has got ensuite catered, however they have basic shared kitchens and she is going to make the best of it, the location is good and the rooms look nice.

Many universities offer a "swap" system, or students drop out and rooms become available after term starts.
Or she might find that actually her accommodation is perfectly fine, even if it's not her ideal choice.

I think it's more common than not, that you don't get your preferred accommodation.

Obviously it depends on the university, but in many cases en suites are in short supply compared to the demand for them. I'm sure she'll soon get used to sharing a bathroom. The catered thing is worse IMO - I can see there's a big difference and it's disappointing to get the one she didn't want.

Hopefully she'll come around to the idea, but if she's really upset it is still possible to move to a different university via clearing. It's unlikely to be a highly ranked one though.

My youngest stayed in uni accommodation for 3 years and had both your DDs preferred and actual options (at different times). She'd say unless you have a medical reason then ensuite not worth it (takes away room space and makes room a bit damp if you don't air it) plus cleaning of shared bathrooms was done once a week by uni cleaner but you had to clean your own ensuite. My DD initially didn't fancy catered either but it was better way to meet people and meant she had more time for other things so sucked it up for 9 months (you could still make snacks yourself in the kitchenette/pantry). Lots switched after 1st term (or earlier if they found someone to swap with).

Thanks everyone. She has a few days to decide and she is also looking into private accommodation.
thankfully she has calmed down a bit now
so hopefully it will be fine

Last year my son had exactly what he wanted (self catering, shared bathroom) chosen as he loves to cook and driven by price. Their shared bathrooms were cleaned every day, and he has applied for the same again this year.

I’d take the uni accom over finding something privately.
Part of being a Fresher is living with other Freshers and having the Halls experience.
Huge numbers will be in your DC position and didn’t get their top choice or choice of type of accom. It’s always the way. Speak to any 2nd/3rd yr or grad and many will have been the same and tell you it really didn’t matter.

I get that the cost of catered can be a real issue. But maybe the shared bathroom offsets that a bit - en-suites often cost a lot. They quickly find sharing bathrooms isn’t the big deal they imagined.

Perhaps it takes a day or 2 to get over the disappointment of not getting what they want… but I’d work on the bars that they will and should take what they’ve been offered.

With uni you don’t always get your modules of choice or a variety of other things. They become more blase and flexible I think as they realise the things that felt a big deal, often aren’t.

Lots of good advice, OP, and I am glad she is feeling calmer. We know freshers about to start at Manchester Uni and UCL who still don’t have any offer of accommodation!

I have told my DD (a 2026 applicant) to expect the unexpected. I hope things turn out well for your DD.

We managed to get her a room in a private student accommodation. She is much happier now, she would never have got on well if she had to share a bathroom, that was one thing she said right for from the beginning, and the accommodation she was given had really bad reviews, this one has good reviews and costs a lot less too.