I am a high school senior applying to DePaul for health science. I currently live in the suburbs, but my dad lives about two miles away from DePaul, so I could live with him. This would obviously save a lot of money. However, i am worried i wouldn’t get the “college experience” of living in the dorms, and I would really like to be independent…but it seems dumb to pay $10,000 a year for a dorm when I could be living with my dad (who told me I would still need to pay rent, just lower than what I’d pay at DePaul). I know DePaul is a commuter school but I’m still afraid of missing out. Does anyone have any advice?
You will certainly not be independent. If it is not a major financial burden you should live on campus freshman year then move in with your dad or get a shared apartment with college friends off campus.
Otherwise it will seem like grade 13.
Commuters here often complain about not being able to make friends/find a community on campus. It is cliche to say but living in the dorm is one of the best ways to meet people your first year. Sharing an apartment with other DePaul students is also a good option and is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than living in the dorm (I calculated it and I think for me it was like 300/month cheaper to have an apartment than to live in the dorms). Check out the DePaul students living off campus facebook group.