OK Co-eds...speak your mind.............dorm or off campus?

[carly denise pt deux]

My kid is going off to school this fall....she is not impressed with the dorms and thinks her and her friend will be better off living in an apartment off campus. I am hoping she will stay on campus for safety reasons. Which is better, and please share experiences.
Thanks
Carly

[Critters2]

1. I lived on campus all the way through school--undergrad and grad

and enjoyed it. Someone else did the cooking, lots of community, had the same roommate all the way through college, really no negatives.

My grad school was in a suburb of Boston, and I couldn't have afforded to live off campus if I wanted to. But that was good, too.

I know lots of people who absolutely would not live on campus, but it was good for me.

[Deja Q]

2. With an elephant

:rofl:

[Broken_Hero]

3. I preferred living on

campus, and the rules the university had were somewhat strict, but I wasn't much of a partier, and could turn off my drinking urge, almost on command...

Living off campus, usually means a lot more bills(but in some cases, its actually cheaper to live OFF campus), aka phone/electric things like that.

I'd let her try off campus for a semester, and if she can deal with it, let her...:D

[KitchenWitch]

4. I think, personally, that she should at least do her freshman year on campus

There are experiences in the dorms that are really cool, that she would not get living in an apartment or house off campus. Plus, she will be closer to her classes and all the school's services.

[Strawman]

5. First year at least should be in the dorms

I think it's better socially. You get to meet people that way, and it's not so bad if you go in with a friend as a roommate as opposed to going in blind. Michigan State actually required that first year students live in the residence halls when I went there. I lived in the dorms my first two years.

Get a cool party house later on. I wouldn't trade those years in the dorms for anything.

[distantearlywarning]

6. Live in the dorms at least 1st year, then off-campus.

Critical college adjustment stuff happens in the dorms. I wouldn't have traded my freshman year in the dorms for anything, and in hindsight am SO glad that I didn't live off-campus my first year. Living in the dorms was an incredible learning experience, both good and bad, and one that was critical to my success as an undergrad, IMO.

If she lives off-campus the first year, she may find herself isolated and out-of-touch with campus life. Live in the dorms first, make friends with other freshmen, get involved in activities, THEN move off-campus after you've "found yourself" and developed a social circle and what-not. That's my advice.

[TheMightyFavog]

7. Hell, I like the dorms so much...

I'm staying here over spring break.

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

8. Freshman year, definitely on campus

Friends, activities, safety reasons, close to school, its a good way to get accustomed to life on your own too (plus there's are RA at least sorta looking out for them)

Then she can still have 3 years in an apartment. Also, usually, once you opt out of dorm life, thats it, you can't come back. At least, thats how it was where I went.

[carly denise pt deux]

9. Thanks so much for the imput!!!

Definitely have talked her into moving into the dorms, they are too young to be living away from campus, maybe next year or later. Thanks!
Carly

[SoCalDemGrrl]

10. As a Mom who has seen 2 off 2 college -Freshman year - DORM!!

Although they may think the apartment route is the way to go, they really
miss out on a lot of things.

My daughter who is at UC Berkeley was in a dorm her first year and had a really
solid year. During sophomore year she was in a apt with other girls and ended
up pretty unhappy - lots of problems.

This year she went with a co-op and loves it, she'll probably stay in a co-op for
her senior year in the fall. The plus with the co-ops is: it's cheap, great food freshly
prepared by student volunteers, and there is always someone to hang with at any hour, so you
don't get lonely.