<p>We have a first-year enrolling at W&L this fall. I've read that the rented micro fridge isn't a real good deal. We plan to buy a small refrigerator for the dorm room. Don't think he'll need a microwave.
Any suggestions as to make and type?</p>
<p>Really? My daughter had no problems with hers, and it was so great not to deal with one more thing at moving time. (But we live 3,000 miles away so this may be less of an issue for you.) She also moved into a single for Spring Term in May, and didn’t have to move that fridge. She just used the one the prior girl had left in there. She used the microwave all the time, too. She is on a team, so it was great to heat things up late at night after the Commons had closed.</p>
<p>The micro fridges work fine. I have read on this site, though, that the annual rental is about the same as buying your own refrigerator.
Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Most freshman end up buying the microfridges. Yes they are overpriced but they are in turn very convenient. When you arrive on campus and preorder a fridge, it is already in place when you move in. There is something to be said about having it the first day. The fridge isn’t that big but it has both a freezer and enough space to have substantial drinks/necessities. If you are sharing it with a roommate it is on the smaller size but very doable. I would recommend buying one for the reasons of convenience and warrantee. I know of roommates who decided to buy one from walmart/home depot and their newly purchased fridge broke leaving them without one. If you have any problems with the fridge you order from the school you can call them and they will replace/fix it. (unlikely that it will) The real reason freshman end up renting the fridge instead of buying their own however is that they only plan to use it freshman year. A good majority of sophomores and upperclassmen end up using fridges in their sorority/fraternity houses or apartments so buying a fridge wouldnt be for that many years. I hope this was helpful!</p>
<p>You can get a really good refrig at target/Walmart/Costco/Sams for $125-135. Check online now. The frig we bought (w/o freezer which is too small anyway) served as a bedside table for lamp or IPOD dock, stored drinks, yogurt, fruit- and was used all 4 years- even in the frat/soror house and off campus houses.</p>