<p>I know that the rooms at Bates have no cable. Is it worth having a TV in the room? What channels are available or is it simply for watching movies with a DVD player? Starting to think of the “what is needed” list.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>In the same situations at their schools my kids decided to just watch DVD’s on their computers. Actually TV shows can be downloaded, too.</p>
<p>My D got cable her senior year and got a TV then which she will take to her first apartment.</p>
<p>Oh, in the interest of full disclosure, neither was/is a Bates students, but their situations were/are completely analogous.</p>
<p>TV’s can be purchased later if a pair of roommates discovers they like watching TV together and the computer is less accommodating.</p>
<p>BTW: My S’s best friend attends Bates and has been blissfully happy.</p>
<p>Hi Mythmom. Thanks for the info. That is the type of thing I was wondering. I mean she does like to watch a few shows and might want one if the typical networks (CBS, NBC, ABC and perhaps FOX) were available. Otherwise I’m sure the laptop might be fine. Hoping to hear from a Bates parent or student to see if any channels actually come in or not. Seems a waste if they are just using it for DVDs and if that is the case then I have an old TV that that will work for. Won’t pick up the new signals though…</p>
<p>Probably won’t get any channels but local access, but I have a TV for watching DVDs (and the library has a bunch of DVDs for borrowing as well). I would say it doesn’t really matter - TVs are in the lounges/common areas and most popular TV shows are online too. I wouldn’t spend a lot of money getting a nice TV unless they want to play video games or watch a lot of movies.</p>
<p>I agree that a TV’s not at all necessary (I never had one.) While occasionally it may be nice to watch a show or two or to have the option of hosting a weekend movie night, I find that there is very little time at Bates to watch too much TV. Even people who consider themselves avid fans of a show often say that they don’t have time to watch it during the weekday, often just watching it online on the weekend or even waiting til school breaks to catch up.</p>
<p>You may also want to wait for room assignments, as the difference in TV situations varies greatly in terms of this. For example, in the new dorm (280 College), as you may recall, there are 4 flat screen TVs on each floor (2 per wing), so it’s really not hard to find a free TV or a group that’s already watching your show. Also, though it’s technically not allowed, depending on where you’re living, it is possible to splice the cable that goes to the common room TVs so that you can get all the channels – I won’t condone this so ask an upperclassman for details when you get on campus 
Also, don’t forget that roommates will also determine what’s necessary. For example, if in a Smith quad, maybe a roommate already has an older/portable TV ready to go.</p>
<p>Best of luck!
–Current Batesie</p>