Cornell Housing Issues Worth it?

So I’ve heard that the housing situation at Cornell for upper level students is like the hunger games. West campus fills up quickly and the whole time slot deal is confusing to me. Not to mention, housing for returning students and upper level students is not guaranteed.

As a prospective student this aspect of Cornell (along with the isolated setting) scares me. Cornell gave me very generous aid and the Meinig Scholars program will provide me with funds to support my study abroad or internships which is why I’m leaning towards the school. However, is any of that worth it if during my junior and senior years I’m kicked off campus? Or if I come back from a credit internship I have to live in an apartment far away?

I am a lower income student so I’m also concerned with the costs of living off campus (would my financial aid cover that?).

If anyone could provide advice or they’re experiences that would be appreciated.

Hey @cthulhi
I’m in a similar position as you. One of my big hold backs with Cornell is the housing, I believe they’re the only Ivy that doesn’t guarantee housing all four years. However, after taking with the financial aid office, they do give you a chunk of money (I believe 8500 was the figure they gave) to pay for off campus housing in Ithaca

@realperson2990

Thank you for providing that info! That helps some. Yeah this decision is really difficult and the housing not being guaranteed doesn’t make it any better.

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What are your other options?

@realperson2990 UNC is my other option that I can afford but going there would require me to take out 4K in loans this year (possibly less next year since my family income is lower now). but at Cornell I would have no loans.

I personally don’t think that the negatives of housing inconveniences should outweigh all the benefits you mentioned. Housing can get stressful, but sophomores pretty much always find a spot to live, and upperclassmen usually choose to live off campus and often enjoy it (or at least chalk it up to an interesting real-world experience). While housing is certainly a negative at Cornell, it isn’t the end of the world, and certainly doesn’t affect the rest of my time here as much as the academics, opportunities, or scholarships to intern/study abroad would.

@Ranza123 ok well it’s good to here that. Did the weather and isolation ever make you feel depressed while at Cornell?

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So I’m from Ithaca originally, so I’ve never really known anything else. If you’re used to sunny weather all the time, I’m sure it’ll come as a shock, and lack of Vitamin D/seasonal depressive disorder are definitely real, but both can be avoided. The weather doesn’t play a huge role in my time here, but again, it’s all I’ve known.

The same can probably be said for Ithaca itself. Ithaca is personally my favorite place in the world. It’s always felt like a city to me (I grew up 15 minutes away in a town that was actually isolated). That being said, after spending a summer living in a real city (D.C.), I understood what people mean when they say that there isn’t much to do in Ithaca. I think there’s plenty to do, but if you’re used to city life, it’ll be different.

Ithaca is different in a lot of ways. I think it’s different in a lot of great ways; other people might feel otherwise.

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Cornell will give you money to cover for housing, and housing is much cheaper off campus than on campus. If you do end up living on west/collegetown (Cascadilla, Sheldon, etc.) you will pay just as much as you did during your freshman year. If you end up living off campus, you’ll most likely be saving more money than if you had lived in a dorm (so it’s even better!), and yes Cornell will give you a lot of money to cover for housing off campus. It’ll be much better to attend Cornell than UNC since you won’t have to take out loans. Also, most juniors choose to live off campus because dorm life can get old and it’s great living off campus!

It IS much cheaper to live off campus at Cornell and there are options. Many students go in together to rent houses which makes it very affordable. My son goes to Cornell and he’s from California and I had the same concerns about Ithaca as you do. Well they were unfounded because he does love it there. He’s not going live there forever so he makes the best of the winter season. Biggest factor is having a tribe of people for support and social life. But I agree with the others, Ivy (and no loans) over UNC.

@CALSmom thank you for sharing your experience. How grueling is the moving process for your family every year? I live a substantial distance from the school too so I’m not really looking forward to that process. UNC is only a 1.5 hr drive from my house while Cornell would be 11+ .

Hi @cthulhi,
There are lots of apartments right off campus, some literally across the street from the dorms. There are houses in Collegetown, as well as apartments. You can go from very nice all the way down to barely passing code. Now my perspective is from many years ago, but lots of students opted to live off campus because it was cheaper, and it was nice having a kitchen and more space than half a room. I was just up there with my son and noticed lots of new dorms, which look much nicer than the one I lived in freshman year. I moved off campus sophomore year and never looked back. I did stay on a smaller dining plan–dinners only because grocery shopping and cooking wasn’t my favorite.
Another nice perk of living off campus can be a 12 month lease, which means you can move in earlier, stay during breaks, or spend a summer up there (which can be lots of fun.) I took a class up there just for fun and it was enjoyable. Summers in Ithaca are just perfect. You could potentially leave your stuff there and not have to lug anything home over the summers, if you have a 12 month lease. I moved every year. Some apartments/houses are only 10 month leases–it can vary. There are also apartments a bit farther off, which may require a longer walk or bus. Many are furnished, and if not, there are lots of furniture rental places.
The other advantage to living off campus is that many places have a parking spot or two, so you can bring a car. Keeping a car on campus is nearly impossible or very expensive. Don’t let the housing deter you from Cornell. It’s really not a big deal, as everyone is in the same situation. Honestly, most juniors and seniors avoid living in the dorms because it’s more fun having your own place, and often your own room.

@cthulhi well my son is a freshman so he’s just about finished with his first year. He and I flew out with 4 pieces of luggage last August for move in and it was perfect and not a hassle at all. Anything we weren’t able to fit in his luggage I bought at a local Walmart. He doesn’t need much and unlike girls he didn’t need extra storage plastic bins or decorations for his room. He mostly sleeps and showers at his place, he’s so busy. As for this summer, he will store all of his stuff which will probably fit in 3 of his suitcases at his friends’ house off campus. He will fly home with one suitcase with just enough clothing for the summer in California. He got West Campus dorm for his sophomore year so he will fly back to Ithaca by himself in August and move into his new dorm probably with help from his Cornell friends. He said he has it covered so I’m not concerned.
It sounds like you are a transfer student? If so I highly recommend getting plugged in for any and all transfer student activities to make friends quickly. Get on Facebook to connect with other future Cornell transfer students you might just find your future roommate…that’s how my son found his, and they are good friends now. Are your parents driving you and dropping off? My son uses the bus system to get around everywhere whether it’s to campus or to the mall. Bus pass is free for first year students.

I went to school upstate near Cornell and dated various Cornell men during those years. Both of my d’s had numerous classmates and friends who went to Cornell and I’ve never heard of or met anyone who had a problem locating housing as upperclassmen. There are lots of off campus apartments and many also opt for sorority/fraternity housing if participating in Greek life.
There are many schools in which housing is not guaranteed for 4 years. One option for securing on-campus housing is to apply and become an RA which has additional perks.

@CALSmom okay, that’s more reassuring to me. No I’m not a transfer student just a really anxious high school senior who is trying to minimize the anxiety of college life haha.

@mdmom6 ok people were making it seem like collegetown was the worse? I think because they said some landlords would be charging outrageous prices. This makes me feel better.

@cthulhi oh ok! Well you’ll be fine should you choose Cornell (and you should, it’s an Ivy and you’ll have no debt). Don’t let weather and rural setting scare you off! Look at it as an adventure! And again get on the FB class of 2021 page to connect with incoming students. I don’t know your major, but first year is tough…choose your classes wisely to ease yourself into transitioning. my son made the mistake of taking too difficult of courses his first semester but he got help and handled it fine. Again, I can’t stress the importance of having a great group of friends. It sure helped my son get through stressful times and he’s having a great time. The connections you’ll make at Cornell are invaluable. They have a very strong alumni network no matter where you go. The one thing about Cornell is that even though it’s bigger Ivy it feels close knit and your peers are supportive rather than cutthroat.

@cthulhi I forgot to mention that I heard Cornell is doing away or modifying the lottery system for housing next year. I was a bit nervous last month when the lottery was going on but my son got the first day but a late time slot. He still ended up with his first choice which is west campus. So don’t fret, it’ll all work out! Also, his current roommate is also low income and gets full funding. He opted to get a house with a bunch of guys next year and it’s way cheaper than west Campus.

In the 2016-2017 academic year, Cornell included $8,274.00 for housing in my financial aid budget.

If you do the math, living in the dorms costs around $984/month for 8 months, and that’s if you live in a triple.
https://living.sas.cornell.edu/live/contracts/rates/undergradrates.cfm

There are tons of options to sublet housing nearby for very cheap ($500/mo), and you can sublet on a semester basis.

Also, if you absolutely must live on campus, you can take what’s called a “house scholars” course. It’s a 1-credit course, and if you do all the work, you’re guaranteed housing on West as a Junior/Senior.

I do not want to detract from what others have said here other than to weigh in and comment that Collegetown apartments can be expensive. All the new construction has high rents, but there are older buildings where you will be able to rent with friends for Cornell’s COA allowance. The 12 month rent for my son’s apt comes in at almost exactly the same figure as Cornell’s housing allowance. Where he is saving money is on food. Groceries + lunch on campus seem to be less than the meal plan charge.

The further you move from campus, the lower the rent will be, assuming you are not looking at new construction. I think students end up paying for parking, but having a car is by no means necessary.

It’s a wonderful place; I hope you decide to attend.