We received a contract for Scottish Rite Dorm, but my daughter hasn’t been accepted yet (she’s a transfer). The concern is we send it in and then find out in June she didn’t get into UT. Are there typically still people waiting to get into SRD in July? The only way out of the contract is if someone takes her spot.
Reading online, this is not a university dorm but a private dorm. So you’d be signing a contract, like any other apartment.
That’s a little big risky, not knowing if you’ll be attending school there.
What assurance would you have that they’d market and fill your spot vs. filling other open ones?
You’d be on the hook.
Unless you’re assured admission or willing to forgo 12 months rent while not living there, this is a HUGE HUGE risk.
No way do I do this.
My guess is UT will have students who need sublets…maybe they go abroad or decide not to come back after signing a contract and you’ll be able to find a place later. There’s no assurance but unless I’m missing something here, this is a huge risk. Others may have better info - as I’m not familiar with the property itself.
Good luck.
SRD is very popular and fills up. They will release you from the contract if they can lease it to someone else, which is almost certain. I’d say the risk is relatively low. But you could ask them this question specifically (how easy is it to find a new resident if you cancel) since it is something they offer.
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I hope she gets in and stays at SRD! I lived there all four years. What a fabulous place to live. We were out by the swimming pool in February. 
Excellent food. I would have been happy to keep living there, ha.
And yes, demand exceeds capacity, so I think someone else would be available to take her spot if she doesn’t need it.
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We did ask, but it was clear they didn’t want to really answer. That’s understandable to some extent - they don’t want you coming back and saying “but you said y’all would be able to fill it.”
I talked to another former resident who thought filling the spot wouldn’t be a problem.
Just makes me nervous.
Different idea with less risk…monitor how full they are by checking in regularly then sign up near the top of the wait list. They typicall do take some girls from the waitlist. And even if you get in before you find out in June you could possibly get a better sense of how long the waitlist is at the time you are asked to commit. Everyone I know who has lived in SRD loves it.
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Bottom line is - regardless of the “likelihood to replace you” - if you sign a contract, then you’re liable for the entirety of the contract.
No matter what anyone can say about your odds of being saved - it’s not 100% - and you have to make a decision like this knowing so…
Then it’s a risk tolerance thing…and that’s personal.
You sound very familiar with UT and this housing option. Is it based on first hand experience?
Not first hand experience. Just lots and lots of second-hand experience (ha!). At my D’s (all girls) high school they typically send about 15 percent of the class to UT each year and most of them seem to live in one of two dorms (Hardin House and SRD). I hear so many stories each year about the jockeying that people do to get into those dorms. But no first hand experience, thank goodness.
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I trust you and @MaineLonghorn you seem like the type of direct knowledge sources OP came here for.
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I was there last year for SRD’s 100th anniversary and heard about their waiting list.
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Yes, I understand that. That doesn’t speak to my question.
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It is. This is your reality.
The others, to answer you, said yes there’s a waiting list and think there’s little risk. That’s the answer.
So since they know, they are likely right . But are they cutting you a check for the rent cost if they aren’t ?
I’m just covering the other side. You must have some level of concern or wouldn’t have asked.
Good luck.
I have no first hand knowledge so I won’t comment beyond wishing your daughter luck!! Welcome to CC!
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I’m aware that this is my only out. I understand how the contract works. My question can really only be answered by those familiar with SRD.
I’m not meaning to be rude, but you’re neither “covering the other side,” nor answering the question. You’re just talking about how contracts work. I already know that. My question had nothing to do with how the contract works.
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Thanks!
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How urgent is it to put down the parking deposit? Can you wait? Thanks!
Can you ask them? I know even way back in the dark ages (early '80s), there weren’t enough parking spaces for everyone who wanted one.
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In fairness horse drawn buggies took up a lot of room relative to today’s cars😀. Disclaimer I am likely the same age so I am being self deprecating.
Ha, I had a tiny Camaro…
One day, I pulled into the parking lot and saw a very fancy car in my spot. I called the towing company. Don’t mess with my parking place!