This college application journey is the very tough. I am got into many great places like Northwestern, Rice, Berkeley, UCLA, Cornell and University of Washington CS. However, after much thinking and discussing with my parents, we all agreed UW would be the best option because it is in state, affordable and close to home. I recently committed to UW and I was super happy about the choice but I am confused about living options. It has been this ongoing crisis whether I should live at home or on campus. I am only 30 minutes from campus and I feel guilty spending money to live just thirty minutes away. My parents are paying for my college and I feel selfish for thinking about living on campus. I don’t want to waste their money but at the same time I really want to live on campus. What should I do? I kind of regret choosing UW and it would have been easier to go out of state. Please help?
I would strongly recommend you live on campus at least the first year. (Check UW’s policies: some schools require freshmen to live on campus.) For one, it can be fun: a very unique once-in-a-lifetime experience of living among your peers, making friendships, meeting new people, opening yourself up to new adventures. Two, part of college is making connections that could be helpful to you in the future: and living on campus makes it much easier to make those connections. Three, you’ll likely learn a lot from your roommates/suite mates about the university, about classes, opportunities, professors, etc.
It sounds like your very mature decision to stay instate will mean your education will cost less than it could have. I doubt your parents will think of you living on campus as “wasting money” so if that money really isn’t a huge issue I think you should take this opportunity.
You can always move back home if you don’t like the on campus experience and if you don’t want to move off-campus with other students after your first year.
But the residential experience is very much a part of the college experience. Carpe diem. And get excited about UW. It’s a great school and there are many envious students who’d love to be going there!
Congratulations on your acceptance to such great schools. As a parent, I really appreciate your concern for the financial costs that are being borne by your parents for you to attend school, and live on campus. I discussed this possibility with my kids when we talked about a local college and I’ll share with you what I told them. I think that living away from home is a huge part of going away to school. It helps you find yourself, your group of friends, and teaches you independence. Many schools require you to live on campus one or more years. But even without that requirement, I think that living away from home is a good thing, especially in the first year or two of school. You are saving money on overall travel expenses by living in state. Perhaps you could help save some more money by enrolling in a bit cheaper meal plan? Or not taking a car to campus (saving on parking, gas etc.) I have talked to a few folks who lived off campus for the first 2 years, then came home for the last two. By then, they felt like they had established themselves apart from their parents, could go to campus, and hang out all day, including at friends apartments. They didn’t feel the need to live on campus anymore, and were happy to save the money so that they could save up for their post college move away from home. Of course,this would need to be balanced out with your individual financial considerations. I wouldn’t advocate borrowing a lot of money just for living.
Good luck.
Live there the first year. Then decide for the next. By junior and senior year you probably won’t care anyway but start there and get a set of friends.
Thank you guys for all your advice! I really want to live on campus and I think I probably will. I am not trying to make myself seem like a very selfless person but I just have this weird feeling of guilt and selfishness choosing to live on campus. I have talked to my parents about this and for weeks we have been discussing what’s best. My parents are totally ok with living on campus and I plan to visit them over the weekend. However, my parents feel sad I’m moving and I just feel so bad. Dorms are known to be expensive and is it worth paying that much for the experience? I just don’t want to waste their money.
@helpmealums One year. Give yourself one year for the full college experience. After that it’s kind of, been there, done that. That’s if your parents are O’k with one year of living expenses.
Frosh year on campus is generally favorable, unless it is unaffordable.
But note that live at home and commute costs are not zero, though they may not be a line item in the family budget.
All parents are sad when their children leave the home. But they’re also excited and proud. You can help them adjust by being very communicative when you move on campus. Call them often, tell them about your roommates, what you’re eating, about your classes - sort of share the experience with them.
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Thanks everyone! I have decided to live on campus for freshmen year and my parents are totally fine with that. I’ll make up my mind at the end of freshmen year if I want to continue to live there. It was great and helpful to hear the perspective of other students and parents. Thanks again everyone!
I think that is the best thing…living on campus at least the first year.
Me too, @bopper. The commuter college experience can’t hold a candle to residential life there. If it’s affordable, it’s one of the best things about being in college.
Congrats for your admissions.
Living away from parents is itself a thing. You’ll be amazed to see how many things you’ve learned after graduating. I definitely recommend you live on the campus. Don’t take it as a waste of money, but as a great chance to have life experiences.