https://www.virginia.edu/housing/options.php?id=alderman&type=fy – this says all of the bed are lofted BUT:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-virginia/744067-cauthen-dorms.html this says they are captain style with 2 wardrobes
Honestly this is what I would do:
Don’t pre-buy storage.
I pre-bought a bunch of these plastic drawers my first year, but the captain’s bed (if you get it) will be plenty of storage!! (I lived in Brown with the captain’s bed). At worst, if the bed is lofted, go to target/walmart and buy some drawers or tubs.
If you really get your own wardrobe closet, hanging space won’t be an issue. My roommate first year had a portable wardrobe because of the weird closet situation in Brown. Again, don’t pre-buy this… Probably won’t need/have room.
The things I ended up actually needing:
Tall thin shelves - will need to wait until you see how much space you actually have - again these were something I bought later around fall break
Little side table for my TV equipment – eventually un-hutched my desk and used that
Large comfy chair when my roommate and I moved into the larger corner rooms in Brown
Folding chairs for big gatherings
Shoe hutch (I have a little problem)
Another thing – my mom unloaded me but didn’t help me unpack. You should have a pretty good idea of whether there’s enough storage when you get there (enough time to go make a run to walmart/target if you need to). I only say this because at first I thought it was cruel and unusual punishment, she just basically dropped me off, but really I am sure she was having a hard time, and it forced me to interact with other people immediately instead of hiding with my mom. So within an hour I knew she had made the right choice and I’m glad she didn’t help me unpack. I realized this was really my new home without her. Honestly your kid can figure it out until fall break, and the number of parents who UNLOAD (aka: it doesn’t fit) things is pretty large. Better to pack small (bring trinkets to personalize the room so it feels like home, but don’t bring everything) until fall break and then really see what they need. There is a bus up to the walmart and also to bed/bath/beyond if they really need something.
If you really want to come prepared, you could buy some drawers/tubs, but keep the receipt so you can return them if you don’t need them. You could also call housing and see if they know lofted or captain. Cross your finger for captain’s beds, they really solve all of your issues.