The UCL accomodation thread

For the photograph, I'm assuming we take a picture then resize it?

I suck at all things digital how/where would I resize it to 768 pixels wide by 1024 pixels high? (and 500k in size?! what does that even mean?)

And does 'passport standard' mean we shouldn't smile in the photo?

I have a place at UCL in September 2016; I'm not too sure about how the accommodation works and where other 1st year students will be staying.

Could someone explain to me what I need to look into/choose/apply for?
Cheers

Thanks!
Also, you wouldn't happen to know if it is a case of first-come, first-served, would you?

I don't know for sure but I've been told that it's not - apparently they start allocating accommodation after the deadline

Just to clear some things up for you guys if you're wondering!

All first year students are GUARANTEED a place at a UCL residence as long as you haven't studied in London as a student before, and you've put UCL as your firm choice. My parents live in Islington (a London borough) and I got accommodation and I also know other friends who got places in UCL halls/houses even though they lived in London.
I got my UCL accommodation offer sometime in mid July, and when you receive your offer you only have THREE days to accept it and pay a £500 deposit. So if you don't pay a deposit within 3 days you automatically loose your place. So make sure you have this money available to pay the deposit!
It's not allocated on a first come first served basis, as long as you apply before the accommodation deadline and meet the UCL requirements you will get accommodation! Regardless if you applied the day before the deadline or the day the portal opened!
When you put down your price preferences be realistic! A lot of people put down £200+ per week for accommodation which is fine if you can afford it, but don't be shocked if you get an offer which is £215 a week and then you realise that actually budget wise you can't afford such expensive accommodation, that's why during october a lot of students ask for swaps primarily for cheaper rooms as en-suite rooms are generally a hell of a lot more expensive than non-en suite rooms.
I live at Schafer currently and its really nice, theres a cleaner everyday who cleans the kitchen and the bathrooms (2 bathrooms between 5 of us), the kitchen is pretty big (have a massive table, full sized fridge, freezer, decent cooker, loads of storage space etc). The rooms aren't that small (it is student accommodation, a lot of people have unrealistic expectations..), and the staff at Schafer are honestly awesome!! The moment I've asked them for anything (e.g. replacement microwave, fix a tap etc) it's literally been done within a couple of hours and they are really nice about it.
I agree that UCL does have ridiculously high rents but generally the service (or at least at Schafer) is worth it

Just to clear some things up for you guys if you're wondering!

All first year students are GUARANTEED a place at a UCL residence as long as you haven't studied in London as a student before, and you've put UCL as your firm choice. My parents live in Islington (a London borough) and I got accommodation and I also know other friends who got places in UCL halls/houses even though they lived in London.
I got my UCL accommodation offer sometime in mid July, and when you receive your offer you only have THREE days to accept it and pay a £500 deposit. So if you don't pay a deposit within 3 days you automatically loose your place. So make sure you have this money available to pay the deposit!
It's not allocated on a first come first served basis, as long as you apply before the accommodation deadline and meet the UCL requirements you will get accommodation! Regardless if you applied the day before the deadline or the day the portal opened!
When you put down your price preferences be realistic! A lot of people put down £200+ per week for accommodation which is fine if you can afford it, but don't be shocked if you get an offer which is £215 a week and then you realise that actually budget wise you can't afford such expensive accommodation, that's why during october a lot of students ask for swaps primarily for cheaper rooms as en-suite rooms are generally a hell of a lot more expensive than non-en suite rooms.
I live at Schafer currently and its really nice, theres a cleaner everyday who cleans the kitchen and the bathrooms (2 bathrooms between 5 of us), the kitchen is pretty big (have a massive table, full sized fridge, freezer, decent cooker, loads of storage space etc). The rooms aren't that small (it is student accommodation, a lot of people have unrealistic expectations..), and the staff at Schafer are honestly awesome!! The moment I've asked them for anything (e.g. replacement microwave, fix a tap etc) it's literally been done within a couple of hours and they are really nice about it.
I agree that UCL does have ridiculously high rents but generally the service (or at least at Schafer) is worth it

I still haven't applied.

Lol same. I'm too anxious over what I will be assigned!

I have applied to connaught as my first choice and a house for my second

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That's exactly why I'm refraining from applying! I want ensuite, but I didn't see any steps for indicating a preference towards ensuite?
I'd also like something within walking distance, not sure about the budget to set in this instance.

I think for that you will have to set location as your first priority and if you want an ensuite it says you might have to include a budget of 200 plus(so expensive lol).

Is anyone staying at Dexion Felda private halls in Wembley?

Thanks, that really helped a lot - would you definitely recommend student houses over halls?

Thank you so much for the info Do you have any recommendations for what kinda budget I should put if I want to stay within a 20 min walking distance to campus and have ensuite? I already live in London and so it wouldn't be worth spending more than 185 pw right?