Relax everybody,
Last year I've applied to Will Wyatt in May and still got a place.
Will Wyatt has good security and shoreditch/brick lane is a walking distance away. Everything is brand new as well.
Some of the things they don't tell you online:
*Most kitchens have no windows which you can open, it gets hot in the summer when you're cooking and if you're not tidy it will smell bad too.
*3 out of 4 of Will Wyatt blocks are for foundation students at csm, block D is where all the people who do a BA live. I've got a flatmate who's doing a BA and she's kind of stuck with all of us foundation students... if you get into Will Wyatt do your best to get assigned to block D.
*Organized events by Will Wyatt tend to be awful. No one shows up for those. Make it a priority to meet people in the first month, or you will only keep in touch with people from your flat/course. Smokers get to meet other smokers in the courtyard (which is really nice btw! but freezing during winter).
*You have to pay hundreds of pounds for overpriced internet courtesy of ask4, the only internet provider in Will Wyatt. Put some money aside for this when you arrive.
*Your bathroom is tiny.
*You live in Hackney so don't text on your glossy brand new iphone on the way back to halls at 2am. Most of you will be fine, but I know of a few people who had their phones nicked for not being careful.
*The heating isn't strong and you can only turn it on for 2 hours at a time. For me it wasn't actually cold at any time, but my flatmates complained about it. You're not allowed to buy your own heaters either, as these will get confiscated in a termly room inspection.
*All windows open to only about 10cm.
*We've had 2 weeks with no hot water, but this seems to be fixed now.
*The fire alarm in your room is heat activated so don't worry about setting it off. Your hallway is a smoke detector though.
With all of that said, I've still had a great time and got to meet plenty of people! And I've heard other halls can be much worse. Just don't expect it to be a hollywood type of uni experience...
For next year I've applied to Manna Ash, Will Wyatt and Don Gratton.