To answer your questions, I would say that how easy it is to find a group as a freshman in college depends more on the person than whether they are from out of state or not. My daughter is an introvert and not interested in parties, football, Greek life or religious groups (common ways of connecting), and she has a full schedule with classes and a part-time job taking up hours when most of the clubs are meeting that she really wanted to join. Almost all the special events during the year for OOS freshmen so far have also occurred when she has a late afternoon/evening class, so she couldn’t attend. She also didn’t get on the climbing team like she wanted because she was sick and missed the first come, first served deadline in the fall. So finding groups has not been easy for her.
She did make a good friend in her dorm, but that person has dropped out already unfortunately. However, this semester she knows several people in her classes, including someone she met last year when touring the university, so she’s happy with that. She also socializes from time to time with her co-workers. Her roommate is very different from her and not a buddy, but they manage to get along. Her roommate, also from out of state far away, is more of an extrovert and has more free time with her schedule, so she has made lots of friends already despite having not known anyone there before.
So I would say that finding groups is more a factor of someone’s personality, interests and schedule, than whether they are in-state or OOS. UMN does have endless clubs and activities available to get involved, and also has a terrific welcome week for freshmen to meet each other and start to make connections. My daughter does not blame her situation on being OOS, and is enjoying the snow right now and glad she chose UMN. Choose the place that you feel right about, so you don’t have regrets later. That way, if you do have challenges at your university of choice, you can face them with an attitude of figuring out how to make things work, rather than having doubts about your choice.
There is an LLC for OOS - At Home at UMN. My S in in this LLC and very quickly made friends with everyone on his floor. In fact, his next door neigbour is from Texas. He is not an extrovert - leans towards introvert but open to making friends and is very flexible. I would say this is his main group of friends. He has found his classes well-taught and enjoys pretty much everything about the U except the food.
I’d say wait until you get the financial offers. If the difference isn’t that big (ie. $5/year) go to Minny. If the difference is significant (ie. total cost of $25K for 4 years at UH compared to $80-100K at Minny), then go to Houston and save the money for med school (you’re gonna need it).
Thanks for all the advice. @singermom4 - so your son found the LLC very helpful? I hadn’t considered them before, but I’ll definitely look into it. What are your thoughts on major-concentrated LLCs like the Biology House?
I’m definitely an introvert so hearing other introverts’ experiences really helps
The advantage of major-focused LLC’s would be easily accessible people to do homework with. I know my S has often worked in groups for studying. Any LLC facilitates bonding though, frankly, the RA on his floor has been pretty checked out so they have been on their own for activities. I was concerned that some dorms may clear out a bit over the weekends since there are a large number of fairly local students. Being in an OOS LLC minimized that possibility so he has plenty of company over the weekends. He is not in the Honors program but if you are, I would definitely consider the honors floor in Middlebrook - seems to get very positive reviews from students. Although it is across the river, my S says it does not take all that long to get from one side to the other (either walking or taking the campus transit). The Honors LLC floor would also be the quietest though his dorm is reasonable (the ‘party’ dorm is Territorial) and most people seem to respect the ‘quiet hours’ rule. In Middlebrook you could also get a suite option and only have to share a bathroom with one other person vs. the communal bathrooms more prevalent in the other dorms.
