<p>It really depends on your school. I choose to live off campus because my college has extremely limited space availability and I didn’t have much other option. Having lived in both dorms and apartments, I liked apartments better. I’d suggest looking for off-campus STUDENT housing though. It’s usually more expensive, but you get to stay near your peers so you don’t feel excluded from the social life. </p>
<p>If you can somehow swing the tuition and housing costs for your first year, you can always apply to be an RA for your remaining years. RA’s are usually given free housing and sometimes a meal plan. But you would have to pay for the first year as you can not be an RA your freshman year. </p>