On Campus or Off Campus?

[lockdown22]

<p>I'm going to be a freshman in the fall and am deciding whether to choose an on campus or off campus dorm.</p>

<p>I was looking at places like the Castilian and Dobie and saw that the prices were similar to on campus UT housing while providing more perks (private baths, housecleaning, etc.), making it look much more desirable.</p>

<p>I applied for housing relatively "late" in the sense that I most likely won't get into one of the better dorms like San Jacinto or Duren, and will probably end up in Jester. However, it does seem easier to live on campus than it does off campus.</p>

<p>UT says that I have to accept the housing contract offer by the 8th, but the thing is, I don't know yet if I want to live on or off campus yet. </p>

<p>Bleh, I can't articulate this too well right now for some reason so I'll just ask a few questions:</p>

<p>1) For a student admitted into Natural Sciences, would living off campus be a hindrance in travel to and from school?</p>

<p>2) Are private dorms like the Castilian really "worth it" when compared with on campus dorms? Do the pros truly outweigh the cons?</p>

<p>3) What happens if I don't accept the housing contract by the 8th, am I FUBAR when it comes to getting an on campus dorm?</p>

<p>4)Likewise, if I accept the contract (it says that I don't need to give a deposit to accept it), is there anyway I can rescind it if I do get a dorm that I don't want?</p>

<p>5) Finally, I am looking to dorm with a friend, who plans to transfer from UTSA (he's going to be a sophomore), is it possible for me to request him as my roommate for on campus dorms and off campus dorms?</p>

<p>Sorry for all the questions, but it would greatly be appreciated if anyone answers them.</p>

[MidwestMom2Kids_1]

<p>Living on campus is convenient for freshman year. You are close to classes and sports facilities and office hours.</p>

<p>Also, you can use the on-campus meal plan to eat in different locations around campus, depending where you are at what part of the day. The Littlefield Patio Cafe (quite good!) takes Dining Dollars after 2 pm, for example. It is not unusual for a group of people from a mid day class to walk together to Kinsolving or J2 after class. [Division</a> of Housing and Food Service - Dining Venues](<a href=“UHD Homepage | University Housing and Dining”>UHD Homepage | University Housing and Dining)</p>

<p>People are sociable and get to know others on their floor, especially in the “regular” dorms - the ones without private bathrooms. People hang out in lounges or out on patios.</p>

<p>You can room with your sophomore friend on or off campus. On campus, you just list each other as roommates and make sure your rank choices match.</p>

<p>(The private dorms are really close to campus. Don’t worry that you will have a long walk to travel to class.)</p>

[VAlonghorngal]

<p>It is nice to live in the dorms (I’m in Jester this year) because you have the meal plan and ar e right on campus. However no matter what dorm or apartment you choose you will be near campus, within walking distance. Dobie is right next to campus by the Union, and the Castilian is only about 2 blocks from campus. </p>

<p>As for living with a friend, anywhere you apply to live you can pick your roommates. I’m not sure if Dobie/Castilian will randomly assign roommates or not. If you do a dorm through UT (Jester, San Jac, Moore Hill, etc…) you have the choice to potluck (they choose for you) or you can enter your friend’s UT EID and have your friend enter yours (this can be done online) and ya’ll will be put together. If you do this you will have to have the same order-preference for the dorms you want to live in</p>

[longhorndude]

<p>pretty sure that both dobie and castilian offer roommate matching if you dont have a friend in mind.</p>

[flatxca]

<p>As a freshman, you should live on campus. You have the flexibility of using the many dining facilities on campus and using your Bevo bucks at many off campus locations. You will meet many more freshman on campus than off. The meal plans at the private dorms require that you return to the dorm to eat. This can be very inconvenient and limiting. (Castillian has a poor reputation.)</p>

<p>You will not likely want to live on campus as a sophomore, so the the freshman year will be the only time you have the opportunity. College is about gaining experiences and living in a dorm is one of those!</p>

<p>We were leery of Jester as well, but my child loves living there. She even likes living in “overflow” housing.) She has met so many people in a very short time and JCL is just downstairs. It is much better than it used to be.</p>