I’m curious why you think construction and the housing shortage shouldn’t be a problem for the class of 2028? Sure, the current shortage is due to the demolition of Yates (to be replaced by West 1) and taking Old Dominion and Monroe offline for renovation, and all that plus the replacement of GGV should be done in time for C2028’s junior year.
But according to the Comprehensive Facilities Plan (PDF link) this is just Phase 1 of three phases which will take until 2032 to complete. And Phase 2, for example, demos Randolph and Richmond, taking another 500+ beds offline until replaced by West 2. That means the housing crunch isn’t getting better, it’s just shifting around until 2032.
Maybe I’ve misread this somehow. I hope someone will correct me if I have. And don’t get me wrong–I think the campus redevelopment is long overdue and W&M’s already wonderful campus is going to be even better when it’s done. But I have serious concerns that anyone attending there over the next few years is signing up for four years of constant construction.
I don’t believe they will take Randolph and Richmond out at the same time, just at some point during that period. It is going to be a bit of a slog until it’s all done, but by the fall of 2025, construction will be more contained to certain areas. After the new dorms come on, I understand Randolph is the next to go and then a new build.
“The number of beds available for rising Juniors and Seniors will fluctuate from year to year as we work toward completion of the Housing and Dining Comprehensive Facilities Plan,” Director of Housing & Residence Life Harriet Kandell wrote to The Flat Hat. “We anticipate that Fall 2023 and Fall 2024 will be the most challenging. As we open new buildings in Fall 2025, we will have much more space available.”
As you look at the Comprehensive Facilities Plan, keep in mind that some of the dorms set to be demolished are very small, and the first two new dorms to open will have 900 beds. It’s a big campus (1,200 acres) and construction is spread out. Whenever they can cost-effectively renovate rather than demolish, they will.
If guaranteed on-campus housing for four years is at the top of any student’s wish list, they will need to eliminate quite a few colleges. The hard thing with W&M in particular right now is that for about a decade, all students who wanted to live on-campus could (even though it was not guaranteed). This new housing crunch is hard for people and the community to adjust to. It was not expected for those who entered in 2018-2021.
I hope Residence Life is right that Fall 2023 and 2024 will be the hardest for juniors and seniors seeking on-campus housing.
Connect with me. My kid is really on the fence, especially worried about making friends and missing the whole first year experience. If she at least has one person to maybe think about it with over insta, it could help her maybe… she would have to go London because she doesnt turn 18 until October. Also, have you heard how to pay for it? They said we cant get fafsa and she cant get a job and I assume we woukd get no money from W and M. I wasnt expecting much, but hoping come spring semester we get something, and the following years.
Verto has some need-based aid available, you apply directly through them. No doubt it is an expensive option for a semester though. As far as financial aid at W&M starting in Jan, assuming you would need to go through FAFSA process in the fall?
How expensive is Verto? It seems like the community college option would be a much better way to save for a 4 year degree, while still guaranteeing admission to William & Mary.
Looks like VERTO London is $29,750 USD (before scholarships & institutional aid). No doubt community college would be cheaper (and you just need 12 credits to apply for transfer).
My kid does not want to go to a CC. She has a lot of great options and is ready to go on her own. Asking her to go to a CC for her top choice would be difficult. We have one more school to visit and she can marinate in it after.
I’m kind of thinking the same way. My daughter’s friend, who was waitlisted, isn’t being forthcoming about whether she can register for DFAS. She says that she is going to just go anyways bc she doesn’t think that she will get turned away since is planning to attend via spring pathway.
The purpose of DFAS is to convince admitted students to commit. So not really helpful for her if she already knows she is going to commit. I guess no one would know if she attends, but it’s not the intent of the day.
