<p>I noticed the abysmal % of upperclassmen that stay on campus for Cornell. I was wondering if Cornell's financial aid covers any housing fees if it's at a private apartment or something. Also, do students voluntarily leave campus? Or is it the shortage of housing that drives them out?</p>
<p>Most students voluntarily leave campus and choose to live in a fraternity, co-op, or house or apartment off-campus either in Cayuga Heights, West Campus, or Collegetown. Some students even choose to live down by the Commons or Fall Creek, but they tend to be the exception to the rule.</p>
<p>If you are getting a lot of financial aid, Cornell will provide for off-campus housing assistance as well.</p>
<p>In my opinion, living off campus is one of the best aspects about the Cornell experience. It really forces you to become more mature and responsible, making transition to adulthood much easier than some of our peers at other schools. The adoption of the House system on West Campus may be making staying on campus more attractive, but it's hard to beat Collegetown when you are an upperclassmen.</p>
<p>west campus is not on-campus?</p>
<p>It's both. There are the formal residence halls technically on 'West Campus', but then there are a bunch of different independent housing arrangements (co-ops, fraternities, private houses) off of Stewart Avenue that most people refer to be as being on 'West Campus' as well.</p>
<p>This map may help: <a href="http://www.perez-cortes.com/images/cornell%20map.gif%5B/url%5D">http://www.perez-cortes.com/images/cornell%20map.gif</a></p>
<p>Notice all of the different houses (e.g. Watermargin, Cayuga Lodge, Alpha Delt) next to the formal 'West Campus'.</p>