<p>So some of my friends and I (about 8-10) are planning to rent out a house off campus and well basically, live with each other. But then some people say when you live in the dorms, you have more resources (like tutoring & extra help) and you get to meet new people, especially when everyone in your dorm is a freshman also and are all looking for new friends too. But living off campus is much cheaper and it’s living with people you actually know and trust…</p>
<p>So, I can’t seem to make up my mind now…o_o</p>
<p>Pros and Cons for both type of housing, anyone?</p>
<p>Oh ya… and on the fafsa, if I had declared “living on campus,” but now that I am planning to live off campus, will it affect my financial aid package for UCD? Will I have to go back and change it on the fafsa?</p>
<p>I personally think hanging around the dorm getting to know new people is an extremely valuable part of the college experience, so I am insisting on dorms the first year for my boys. Plus, you don't have to clean your bathrooms :) I wouldn't trade my dorm living experiences for the world. Try it, then do the apartment the next year if you want. You may then have a better idea of who you want to live with then. Good luck regardless.</p>
<p>I would totally choose the dorms for the first year... as much as I am sick of the DC, I know I will miss it dearly when I move off campus. Also, moving off campus means It's going to take so much more effort to get back from class to enjoy a small nap. It's really up to you, if you want to sacrifice your only year of guaranteed dorm housing to live with a bunch of your friends. Also yeah, you don't have to clean the toilet or the lounge or kitchen, etc =P</p>
<p>If it is your first year at UCD, DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID. Live in the dorms. When I attended UCD in 1995 I did not live in the dorms and missed out on a tremondous part of the college experience. My best friend from high school did and he made friends that he still retains some 13 years later. I felt detached from school and my grades suffered because of it. They were good but not as great as they could have been.</p>
<p>I totally agree! My son is going to UCD and I don't mind paying for his dorm living expense because I know how important it is. I went to college in China and lived in the dorm with 6 other girls for four years. To this date, most of us still keep in touch and some of my best friends (all over the world) are those that I met living in the dorm.</p>
<p>What makes the dorms good? I'm trying to decide too. Why can't you live off the campus but still meet people? What if you roomate turns out to steal stuff and be a drug addict. isn't there a lack of privacy and stuff too, not to mention the small rooms? honestly that's what I see... I'm interested to hear what's good about dorms</p>
<p>You cannot compare how much easier it is to meet and live in an environment that are all knowingly first-years. You see your hallmates in the bathrooms, in the elevator, etc. Living off-campus doesn't guarantee that you'll be living among students, as there are families in Davis who rent also. I won't lie; I haven't really socialized with many people on my floor, but the people I have talked to are really awesome. I'm actually going to be living a few doors down from my neighbors next year in an apartment complex. It'll be great seeing them again out of the dorms.
If your roommate turns out to be a petty theft who's addicted to drugs, I wonder how he got into Davis in the first place. Honestly, if that ever happens, you can talk to the housing coordinator about your special circumstance, and they would find a way to deal with the situation.
The rooms are small, but that's how dorm life is. You don't need a kitchen or a lounge because the dorm provides one for you. You really don't get much privacy, but I've never really had a problem with my roommate as we respect each others privacy.</p>
<p>Parties take place on dorm floors, so you have to actively pursue a social life I guess. I guess living in a dorm and meeting people are automatically linked.</p>
<p>The RA's will have mixers, game nights etc. where you will meet many friends. There will be groups of boys who gather together to play video games. Everyone will randomly decide to go bowling, to a movie or concert and go around the dorms inviting everyone. When you first move in people will leave their doors open and post invitations to come in and hang out. You will never have another experience like this again in your life. You will make friends who you will still know in 30 years.</p>
<p>I think collegemom16 is overselling the dorm experience. For some, it is a peak social experience, but both S1 and S2 are pretty social guys and had mediocre dorm experiences. S2 is currently a freshman in Cuarto and although he gets along with his suite mates, they are very different socially.</p>
<p>I personally hated my dorm experience and the only good benefit was a I met someone (one person) to live with later - and that lasted two years. My main social life my first year in the dorms involved my friends from highschool that also attended Davis. I never talked to anyone else from my dorm building again after that first year. </p>
<p>Well I shouldn't say never - last year I was proctoring a gen chem midterm since I'm in grad school now, and someone in the class waved me down & asked "Hey! Weren't you in my dorm freshman year!?" I replied "Unless you're a 5th year senior taking gen chem I don't think so" and he replied "Oh I am! Tercero G building?", I respond "Oh, yea..."</p>
<p>My friend's sister started at Davis when we were juniors. Her sister decided to avoid the dorm experience and just move in to my friend's apartment. I know not all siblings can live together like that, but it really worked out well form them. Her sister doesn't regret not living in the dorms - she's not a party animal so I don't think living off campus altered her desired social activity level.</p>
<p>Thanks for all who replied. After reading your comments and talking to a bunch of people, I'm starting to re-think all this.</p>
<p>Yea... now I realized, it's not just about the money anymore but it also depends on all the other factors too, like making new friends and not having to worry about rent (numbers make me @_@). I think I'm leaning towards dorms now.</p>
<p>Hopefully, I'll make my decision soon. Anyways, thanks again. :)</p>