<p>So I'm looking to attend either Virginia Tech or Cornell, and I was wondering if I need to/how I would secure my belongings. I want to bring a Guitar and a small amp as well as my Laptop. Are the dorm rooms secure enough, or should I leave my guitar and amp at home?</p>
<p>Always lock your room’s door and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>You should leave your guitar and amp at home because there’s really no room for them. Where are you planning on storing/using them? If you do bring them then yeah, as long as you lock your door they won’t get stolen, but I lived in VT’s dorms for two years and you’re not going to be able to comfortably fit a guitar and amp in there and your roommate will hate you.</p>
<p>I disagree with chuy about bringing your guitar and amp. In the guys dorm at my school probably every other guy has a guitar and/or amp. There’s definitely room as they really don’t take up that much space! The guitar can sit by a desk, and the amp under a bed when not in use.</p>
<p>And seriously, just lock your door when you’re not there! That’s plain old common sense!</p>
<p>As long as you and your roommates lock the door, you should be fine. Almost everybody has valuables in their room.</p>
<p>Space, potential roommate issues, loss, theft/damage school policies all are valid concerns. Transport to and from school might even be an issue if you’re flying. Flying with an instrument can be costly and/or an exercise in nail-biting.</p>
<p>A couple of thoughts, and a link to a prior thread <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/525589-bringing-instrument-college.html?highlight=instrument[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/525589-bringing-instrument-college.html?highlight=instrument</a> Read my post #20 there, and the link to the damaged flute thread.</p>
<p>1- Depends on the dollar value, and how much the instrument means to you personally as a means of social interaction, money making opportunities, or just your own well being.
How much can you afford to lose through loss or damage? Is it insured, through whom, and is it covered at school or as an instrument used to provide income. Most homeowners policies WILL NOT cover a claim if there’s evidence that the instrument is used as a source of income. It must be covered under a different type of policy.</p>
<p>2- Many dorms prohibit musical practice in dorm rooms. Some are strict about it, others are lax until someone gets a bug up their rear. </p>
<p>3-Ask questions of the school. Read their undergrad handbook, housing policies, use of the music building for non music majors. Again, some are flexible, some are not.</p>
<p>It’s a personal decision, but research, think and be smart about it. Many will bring an instrument even as a non-music student. Some will come home safely, some won’t. If you have two, consider bringing the one you can least afford to part with should it come in harms way. And a lot depends on how deep yours or your parents’ pockets are if you need to replace it.</p>
<p>I brought my guitar to school with me this year and didn’t think twice about it. Whatever might happen to it at school could also happen to it at home. Whoever said there isn’t space for it, um, there are these things called closets that really come in handy sometimes.</p>