<p>Like the title states, I'm confused whether to live at home and commute (about 30 min. each way) to the local university (UCF) or to take out loans to pay for a dorm at a flagship state university (UF). I was originally planning on going to UF, but my family faced some financial hardships these past couple of months and parents can no longer help to pay for my dorm. If I choose to still go to UF, I will have to find someway to get loans to pay for the dorm. I am worried about this as I will also have to work to get spending money (no matter which school I attend). </p>
<p>So I ask you, is commuting really that negative as people make it out to be? What are the best pros of living on campus? Is it even worth shelling the money to dorm at the flagship university when most people move off-campus and commute after freshmen year? This is really confusing me as I also plan on going to grad school, perhaps medical school.. so I'm also taking the prestige of the universities into account</p>
<p>It's just something that you have to decide for yourself. I was faced with the same decision (except a longer commute... about 1 hour) and chose to commute. Dorms are just too expensive and I'm already taking out loans to pay for tuition and whatnot. I don't regret my decision, although I would like to live on campus.</p>
<p>As for the pros/cons... read the other thread on the exact same subject.</p>
<p>Normally I would say to commute since living in a dorm isn't really worth paying for if you can't afford it. This case is a little different since it's different universities - you also have to consider the long term value of a degree at Florida vs. UCF. Think about which gives you more opportunties in the areas that interest you. $20,000 over the next 4 years may not be so much compared to the long term difference in pay depending on where you get a degree.</p>
<p>If it's only 30 minutes, I say commute. I commute longer than that (about the same as Russell7) and while there are times I do wish I lived on campus, 30 minutes is totally doable. You're still close enough to be involved. </p>
<p>Prestige is something to take into consideration though too, considering how UF is versus UCF. But in the end, it's what you feel is best for you. Seriously, there has to be SOMEONE out there who went to a "lesser" school than UF who got into a great medical school, right?</p>
<p>Be sure that you calculate the cost of a commute - including gasoline vs. cost of the room. I know some people who aren't calculating this correctly - the dorm can be less expensive than it seems at first.</p>