<p>I was accepted (REA) recently, and I had a question about living off-campus freshman (and subsequent) years. My parents are moving to California (this was decided before I even applied) and are going to live close to Stanford. They are going to leave for a few years after my freshman year, so I'd live with them my freshman year and then alone in our house/apartment the next three years. Although Stanford requires students to live on campus freshman year, additional circumstances will most likely lead to them allowing me to live off-campus freshman year (just trust me, it's not bribes or anything). </p>
<p>However, I'm really social and I'd definitely prefer to live on campus for at least the first two years. I can't really morally justify asking my parents to drop thirty grand to let me make more friends though. How bad will it be living off-campus? I'd probably end up hanging out in dorms anyway, but it'd be a little harder to make friends or go to parties. </p>
<p>I guess a follow-up... How bad would parking be? </p>
<p>I would reccomend living on-campus if possible. I know people who live very close to school (or are faculty children) but still live in dorms because they want to have the social experience. The social experience freshman year is pretty crucial for your four years at Stanford. A good portion of your friends down the road will be your freshman dorm friends. </p>
<p>That being said, there are ways to make friends in clubs and other activities. But it’s not the same as having friends in your freshman dorm. You’re defintely in a sticky situation because of the cost, but if money was not an issue, living on campus is pretty essentialy for a vibrant social life. </p>
<p>You are required to live on campus your freshman year unless you have extreme extenuating circumstances which I’m pretty sure do not include the fact that your parents are moving close.</p>
<p>@Stanccepted. First congrats! Second, you have received some good reasons as to why there is a benefit to being on campus especially first year and subsequent years if possible. And, if indeed you are allowed to be off-campus as a freshman…that is news to me. I know some faculty members children who actually live on campus who may be the exception to the rule…</p>
<p>…most importantly, I hope your parents are fully aware the home prices in the communities surrounding Stanford are some of the most expensive in the country…in the millions usually. Most people even in the bay area can not afford to buy in this area…the sticker shock your parents may face coming from the Midwest (going by your acceptance thread) may be daunting…but then, I am not privy to your parents’ finances (for all I know they may be millionaires). Hope it all works out. Enjoy the rest of the holidays. </p>
<p>Parking is expensive and not easy to find. You’d be better off biking (which is the preferred mode of transportation for many people living off campus.) </p>
<p>Since you seem confident that you will be allowed to live off campus (I assume you have medical or similar reasons), my suggestion would be that you buy a meal plan if possible so you can at least eat in the dorms regularly, hopefully with the friends you will make in class or in clubs. You will need to allocate extra time freshman year for getting involved in clubs and activities - something that most freshman don’t need to do right away since they are busy meeting people in their dorms. </p>
<p>A big part of the college experience at Stanford is living away from home, with people from entirely different worlds than you have hitherto been exposed to. It’s a pity to give that up, especially freshman year. Perhaps you might want to reconsider living on campus for at least your first year?</p>
Freshman dorms are the center of the freshman social, cultural, and academic experience at Stanford. Put briefly, you will be at a serious detriment if you choose not to live there.
Since roughly 95% of all undergrads live on campus all four years, you will have a drastically different Stanford experience. I suspect you will always feel out of the loop. My d’s entire social life revolves around her dorm mates and she says that is pretty universal. You miss all of the spontaneous events if you aren’t there. Friends will do there best to include you, but the midnight talks and bonding just won’t happen.
If money is the principle reason for living off campus, I would encourage my d to get a job now and start saving. Every gift from all relatives for birhday and graduation could be earmarked for freshman year living on campus. It’s really key to the Stanford experience.
</p>