<p>The title basically says it all. </p>
<p>Note: This is in regard to the LINCOLN CENTER campus only. </p>
<p>I know I'm required to have a meal plan...</p>
<p>Students are admitted either as resident students with offers of dorm rooms or they are offered commuter status. If you were offered resident status with a dorm room and want to change to commuter status and make your own arrangements (which are not necessarily cheaper, safer, wiser, etc) I suggest you call Admissions Office and explain your idea them. They may or may not accommodate you and refer you to resident life office for further instructions. Personally, dorm life as a freshman is fun…though it has its own pitfalls…kids being kids…and you meet all sorts of interesting people, perhaps lifelong friends. I strongly encourage you to think long and hard about this. Living off campus can be more dangerous and highly expensive, not to mention you are on your own when it comes to eating, cleaning and paying bills.</p>
<p>Thank you. I will take your advice into consideration as I make this critical decision. I can strongly assure you I’ve carefully pondered the potential outcomes offered by each living situation, and will continue to do so until I receive my financial aid offer (the deal-maker or the deal-breaker). </p>
<p>However, to clarify: </p>
<p>It IS possible to live off-campus as a freshman?</p>
<p>When I received my acceptance packet, I was offered housing. As I’m sure you’re aware, there are three boxes (one of which must be “checked”). They essentially read:</p>
<ol>
<li>I accept Fordham’s offer of admission and housing.</li>
<li>I accept Fordham’s offer of admission but have selected to reside elsewhere.</li>
<li>I decline Fordham’s offer of admission. I will enroll at ____________. </li>
</ol>
<p>I’m assuming it is possible to live off-campus at any given year.</p>
<p>Once again, thank you for your thorough response.</p>
<p>Well, your packet was different than ours two years ago, as I recall, and my kid is at FCRH. So it appears your choices include the possibility of living off campus and fending for yourself. What would be your motivation with that? Certainly not cheaper unless you live at home nearby. And trust me, the stresses of freshman year are significant enough, you dont want to be stressed out with monthly rent, light bills, food bills, doing dishes, taking out the garbage, finding a laundromat on and on and on. Roommates are roommates whether in a dorm room freshman year or an apartment. Either they are responsible or they are not. </p>
<p>And you miss out on a lot of good social activity. Then again, LC is a different situation from RH. </p>
<p>Fordham still has a significant number of commuter students at both campuses. Good luck.</p>
<p>Yeah, I also noticed that on the enrollment form for Rose Hill also, and I’m pretty sure you can reject the offer of housing and choose to live off-campus as a freshman.</p>
<p>If it’s ultimately going to be a lot cheaper, and money’s a big issue for you, then do it. Being a commuter, you’ll have to put more effort into being active on campus and making friends, but it’s still important to be practical.</p>