<p>I live in Chicago about an hour drive away from campus if I take I-94. It would be more affordable if I live at home but the public transportation commute would be a nightmare (no CTA trains nearby and according to google the commute time would take about 2 hrs, so 4 hrs each day). I've also heard that the social life at NU revolves around campus, so how integrated are commuters into the social scene? I really want to live in-campus but I don't want to add unnecessary financial burdens on my family.</p>
<p>I strongly suggest you live on campus for your first year, it makes so much difference in your college experience in so many ways. You truly live too far for a daily commute not to mention the Chicago winter weather. You can sell your car and get rid of the insurance to help offset the cost.</p>
<p>After Freshman year you can move off campus for a much more reasonable cost and still be within walking distance and not need a car.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think I would go to NU and commute from one hour away.</p>
<p>Dorm, dorm, dorm, dorm! Commuting that far and long would be disastrous in terms of socialization, studying, group work, and just about everything else…</p>
<p>It really comes down to the money. I think that a dorm experience would be better for many reasons - it would give you a real college experience, meet new people, etc. - but it’s all about whether the thousands of dollars for housing are possible.</p>
<p>In my estimated financial aid package, the family contribution is a bit under $10K for tuition and room & board. However, the meal plan is another $4-5K. My father would rather pay for the car (so that I can commute) than the meal plan. My parents don’t really care about the socialization aspect of college life. Unfortunately, I think they would be rather glad if I wasn’t part of it. Neither of them attended college, so their idea of dorm life is probably influenced by fictional Hollywood films. :(</p>
<p>A couple thoughts. First, does Northwestern require frosh to live on campus? Do you need special permission to live at home? Second, if you do live at home your financial aid will likely be adjusted down … it is likely living at home will not save nearly as much money as your Dad thinks. </p>
<p>(PS - in addition, I’d suggest doing a comparative cost analysis … meals at home, car, gas, car insurance, tolls, loss of financial aid on one side … dorm and meals on the other side).</p>
<p>Not only should you factor in all the above expenses, it might be possible to use those hours that you would not spend commuting, working part time instead. There are SO many positives to living on campus!</p>
<p>Financial aid packages are based on the cost of attendance. NU’s COA for next academic year is $63,228. However, it’s COA for commuter students is $52,664, which is $10,564 less. Since your financial aid package is based on your living in the dorm, your financial aid package is likely to be reduced by $10,564 if you commute. Your expected family contribution would remain rhe same. NU allows $3309 for the cost of room, board, and transportation for commuters. So if you think these costs will be more than $3309, you might actually save money by living in the dorm. Also, if you live in the dorm, you would free up time for studying or for a job, as the previous poster suggested.</p>
<p>“In my estimated financial aid package, the family contribution is a bit under $10K for tuition and room & board. However, the meal plan is another $4-5K. My father would rather pay for the car (so that I can commute) than the meal plan.”</p>
<p>Also, you might want to make sure your family understands the COA and financial aid package. The meal plan is included in the “board” part of the COA. If your family contribution is around $10K, you would not have to pay an additional $4-5K for the meal plan; that amount is already included in the COA.</p>
<p>Stay in a dorm! I think Senator Senator Bluto Blutarsky referred to college as the best 8 years of his life. Of course he stayed in a Frat House…</p>