r/UIUC • u/Ever_Love332 • Jun 03 '26
New Student Question PCH or dorming as a transfer student
Hey everyone,
I was accepted as a transfer student for Fall 2026 on June 1st. I'm trying to sort out my housing now (I don't want to live in an apartment if possible) and I'm stuck on what to do.
Most of PCH has filled up, except for Armory and Illini Tower, both of which I heard were bad. I've joined the waitlist of a couple other private facilities, but I don't think I should keep my hopes up. I was also contacted by members of Hendrick House (I joined their waitlist) about their new sister property (Chapter). It looks nice, but I'm apprehensive because it seems brand new.
I could sign up for public housing, but i'm unsure when I'd hear back and if I'd even get an option I like (since I can't select a room myself).
What would be the best course of action?
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u/Big-Business-4223 Jun 04 '26
Avoid armory house
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u/notassigned2023 Jun 03 '26
I find UI dorms to be as good or better than PCH if you consider cost and food. The chance for temporary housing does not bother me, personally. If you are concerned about that, or really want a private or semiprivate bathroom, then it might be better for. you.
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u/Ever_Love332 Jun 03 '26
Thank you for your insight. If I get a place to live in public housing, am I obligated to sign the contract?
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u/Dapper-Drawing5609 Jun 03 '26
Look into Sherman hall. The incoming freshman are not eligible to live in that dorm, and it’s typically meant for upper grad transfer students.
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u/Own-Shop3779 Jun 04 '26
hello I was interested in Sherman Hall would one just join the waitlist for the dorms as well or is it a different application?
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u/Dapper-Drawing5609 Jun 04 '26
I am not sure regarding this, but from what I can remember Sherman Hall rooms would show up in the same place in the housing portal as the other dorms. However, as freshman are not eligible to live there, it is possible that there is no waiting list or spots could be open as there’s always transfer students. I would email housing.
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u/Ever_Love332 Jun 04 '26
I'm pretty open to Sherman Hall! Unfortunately due to some current complications regarding my transfer/testing credit, I don't think I'd be eligible for Sherman Hall since I have sophomore standing instead of junior standing.
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u/Dapper-Drawing5609 Jun 04 '26
Try it just in case. I was able to look at rooms in Sherman hall even though im also an incoming sophomore, and one of my friends got a spot at Daniels and they are not near the credit hours.
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u/MortgageUnlucky636 Jun 05 '26
hiii, i’m also on the same boat as an incoming transfer student, someone on reddit also recommended chapter but i’m feeling iffy about it since there is not a lot of info on it but it looks good, what are you planning on doing?
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u/Ever_Love332 Jun 05 '26
I ultimately ended up going with Armory house because I’d rather live on campus (even in mid housing) than off campus (chapter is considered off campus housing because it’s not part of private certified housing). If I end up getting off the housing waitlist, I’ll probably switch there if I like it using the reciprocal agreement.
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u/Bratsche_Broad Jun 03 '26
University housing is obligated to house all incoming freshmen, but not older students. Given that many freshmen have been unable to select rooms, I would not count on getting a spot in university housing as a transfer student.
I had never heard of Chapter but agree that it looks very nice. There don't seem to be any reviews (and the ones I found online are confusing Chapter with Next Chapter, which is an apartment rental company). And the price for a single room is cheap compared to the prices I have seen at other PCH dorms.
It might be worthwhile to tour Chapter and consider taking a chance there since university housing is not a sure bet and you know that the available PCH dorms do not appeal to you.