<p>neverborn: "Good dorms are awesome. Once again, it seems like a case of bitter parent syndrome."</p>
<p>Nobody is criticizing "good dorms"; the criticisms are focused on extravagant dorms. You may think that there won't be any future negative consequences for these kids who have gone from living in parents' nice (maybe plush) homes to plush dorms, but there are. These kids will have ridiculous expectations when they are out on their own and won't want to "start out" by living in a simple (cheap) apartment.</p>
<p>Let me give you another example: My s-i-l started taking her high school daughter to bi-weekly manicures and pedicures. Additionally, she would take her D to a salon to have her hair highlighted every 4 -6 weeks. She also bought her D a car with leather seats and other "plush" extras. How, may I ask, is this D going to adjust to living on her first real salary when she gets out of college (this girl is just a very average student)? Recently, this D was overheard getting into a friend's car and saying, "Ugh! no leather seats"!!!! This girl has come to believe that any car without leather seats is unacceptable and "beneath" her.</p>
<p>The point is that "a higher standard of living" and luxuries should be earned and paid for by the recipients -- otherwise those plush items become perceived to be requirements and necessities of life.</p>
<p>
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How, may I ask, is this D going to adjust to living on her first real salary when she gets out of college (this girl is just a very average student)?
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Like she'll ever have to!! Mommy and Daddy will continue to provide the lifestyle, foot the bill, until D. "marries well." Happens all the time.</p>
<p>My youngest sister has never really learned what "slumming it" while travelling is like. She considered staying at a Hilton to be "slumming it"! The rest of us older kids laughed, since many of us have stayed in much less luxurious place; I've stayed at the Y with several other people sharing one room, as well as two & three star lodgings. We've warned her that she's really quite spoiled & she intellectually knows it but remains quite oblivous as to what it's like to stay in such lodgings, even for vacation.
In any case, even if the D "marries well," many marriages end in divorce & also the job market is much less stable than it was even a few years back. Even pensions lose value from what pensioners are led to believe they can expect, so I wouldn't cound on anyone never having to experience the more "asture" side of life at some point in their lives.</p>
<p>HImom--Agreed, no one should count on anything in life, change and adapting to change are inevitable, but there are many folks out there who simply aren't that forward thinking. They enjoy as much as what's available to them in the present, material trappings, creature comforts, you name it. As they see it, they prefer to live that "good life" of theirs to the fullest. If it is within their means, that's their perogative. They're not of the mindset that "slumming" it now, as you say, will build coping skills for some event that may never happen in the future. And, if it does, these live-in-the-moment types figure they'll either land on their feet, which many do, or learn to adapt if they must, having enjoyed the ride while it lasted. Neither approach is right or wrong, just different, and of one's choosing.</p>
<p>I've noticed that most people on this thread don't realize how expensive Lincoln Park is. Loft Right is actually quite a nice deal for the DePaul/Lincoln Park area.</p>
<p>It is the most expensive dorm at DePaul, granted, but certainly not the most expensive living option within a 4 block vicinity.</p>
<p>Plasma TVs and Limo Rides are definitely excessive, but my parents did say that they don't want to pay for my room and board if I don't get my own private bathroom (as in, I'd share it with my roommates and that's it).</p>
<p>It sucks, because one of my safeties has a campus that's a great size, a good program I could go to for 2 years in case I want to transfer, etc.....but I don't think any of the fresman dorms have private bathrooms. (I'm still going to apply there anyway.)</p>
<p>I get sick easily, so that's a problem, but it's also very mentally taxing on me as well. I went to the campus (American University) over the summer for a program and I loved it, but I hated the floor bathrooms....they could have been worse, but I really don't think I can stomach that for a full year.</p>
<p>Communal kitchens are neat, but the thought of communal bathrooms just makes me sick. xP</p>
<p>What about suites where you share the bathroom with fewer folks (4-8)? Perhaps that would give you more options as there are more & more schools which have suites as an option. I know that many schools do not have private bathrooms for each dorm room.</p>
<p>I agree with the criticism on "extravagant dorms." The problem is NOT that students shouldn't live well. The real problem is losing perspective. If you have lived in these lavish conditions all your life, how can you identify with the homeless and destitute? How can you feel the humility of living in poor conditions and having to WORK your way up to better living standards? This is about training students to become charitable, caring adults with good personal finance skills.</p>
<p>I'm a student. I also want to live in a comfortable dorm. But last year, I was okay with living in one of the oldest dorms on campus (Northwestern) with horrible facilities. It built character and made me appreciative of my single this year. However, I still want to travel to poor countries such as those in Africa to learn how people live there. I think it will help me grow as a person.</p>
<p>The Vista & Peace Corp programs are two that are founded with the ideas you embrace. It's wonderful that you and many other like-minded folks will go on to explore other parts of the world and living conditions and how to help improve them. This is what our world needs to improve.</p>
<p>I think most posters on this thread are unhappy with the extravagances that are seen by many of us in a very negative light for reasons you articulate.</p>