<p>I am a freshman and I got a scholarship to live off campus at the Ballpark in Austin. It will only cost me $2000 to live there the whole 2005-2006 year. I am really stuck because it is a lot cheaper to live there, but I also wanted to experience living on campus my freshman year, but I barely got my housing contract last week and don't want to be stuck in a crappy dorm...what do you guys think?? I need some advice...</p>
<p>No one has ANY advice whatsoever?? Come on guys I need SOME input!!!</p>
<p>not familiar with the ballpark...who did youget a scholarship from to live there?</p>
<p>I am a big proponent ofn on campus --- one thing is to be sure you actually have a spot on campus</p>
<p>I think on campus would be the best deal if you can get a good dorm.</p>
<p>Because isn't living on campus like $6,000+....that apartment would only be $2000 and I get my own restroom in my room. But then again I'd have to take the UT shuttle to school everyday. Although I do get free parking at the apt...what to do??? aahh</p>
<p>Is this an apartment where you get your own meal plan or do you have to buy and furnish your own food and furniture? Personally, I think spending freshman year in the dorms is important in making a lot of new friends, especially Jester, since apartments, you are more isolated and further away from everything. But it's up to you, if money doesn't matter..</p>
<p>hmmm thats what i was thinking, cuz most ppl live off campus after freshman year right??</p>
<p>Lots of people live off campus even freshman year. If you are a social person and join some clubs etc., you will make lots of friends and the experience won't be significantly different. There are students in the apartment where you will be living. Off campus student apartments are not all that different from dorms. Save the money.</p>
<p>I know but it's still hard for me to decide...I am an only child and do like my privacy but I don't want to miss the whole "on campus" experience. It depends on where the parties are at too..they are usually off campus right I mean damn you cant get all messed up in a dorm...then again you DO meet a lot of people there...hmm...anymore input??</p>
<p>You're only 18. You shouldn't be getting "all messed up" anywhere. Shouldn't be getting "all messed up" at any age. If you're going to UT to party, please stay off campus so you're not a distraction to the students who are going there for an education. I've heard alcohol and substances on campus will get you canned real quick. You'll need all the brain cells you have, anway...I don't think you'll want to fry any.</p>
<p>Hmm I"ve heard lots of rumors about where parties are but don't know exactly. Yeah alcohol = bad bad bad.</p>
<p>Well duh I mean yeah i want to have fun AND go to school. its not hard to manage both if you have good time management and are responsible</p>
<p>Flip a coin.</p>
<p>mdtracie, We chose on campus housing for our daughter.</p>
<p>We are paying the extra to have our d stay on campus the first year. The first year will probably be tough enough, figuring out the campus and learning to manage time without having to figure out shuttles and Austin traffic. Freshman year entails a great deal of adjustment and proximity to classes may alleviate some of her stress. </p>
<p>The appeal of rolling out of bed ten minutes before class is very strong for our daughter who values her morning sleep time. Plus she won't have to pay for furniture and will have most of her meals provided for her on campus. Food and furniture expenses will add to the 2000 dollar figure you have quoted.</p>
<p>Also, she will be totally surrounded by UT students and thus have the potential for making more friends.</p>
<p>These are the reasons we have chosen on campus housing. After the first year she will be able to make a decision about where to live based on her first year experience.</p>
<p>You will probably be fine with whatever option you choose, I'm just giving you the rationale we used in order to make that same decision you are working with right now.</p>
<p>Well thanks, I understand what you are saying, i like my sleep time as well, and food is not included in the apartment but furniture is. i found out today that i got the Gates Millennium Scholarship so it makes me even more happy to know that they will pay for the dorm. i think i would like my privacy for the first few weeks, but after i adjust to dorm life i will like it. i just dont want to have any regrets about my first year and meeting new people, and i think the best way to do it is with a dorm even though i am a privacy-freak!!!</p>
<p>LOL, D is begging for a private room too but I think she might hibernate too much. A roomate will be a growth experience for her. And cheaper for us, the parents.</p>
<p>I changed my mind I'll prolly get the apt instead. I know I'll regret it in the long run!!</p>
<p>Wait but if you know you'll regret it . . then why are you doing it? Haha.</p>
<p>No I meant regretting about the dorm when I posted about getting it earler. I just like my privacy. It's not THAT hard to make friends, right?? Just go to class!</p>
<p>As I said before, you'll probably be fine wherever you live. A lot of other students will be doing what you're doing.</p>