S is making his decision hopefully tonight, and we had a question about where most scholars students choose to live after living in the scholars community. Is it easy to remain on campus for juniors and seniors? I am sure most upperclassmen move off campus, but my S likes having the option to remain if possible.
I’m not sure what others do, but my son loved being at Oakland Hall for his junior year. It’s a wonderful place to live on campus.
Most upperclassmen do move off campus, and they have started a new program this year that makes it harder for juniors and seniors to stay on campus (it is possible though). However most students choose to live off campus by then. They have a plan to expand the on campus housing but for now they don’t have room for most juniors and seniors off campus. Tons of off campus housing already exists and is being built though.
I don’t think not being able to live on campus as a junior/senior is really a deal breaker for most people. It can be nice to have the campus safety net, but most people want their own rooms and the freedom by then. Also, you can still get a dining plan (or a small supplement plan) if cooking is a struggle. When I was a high school senior I thought I never wanted to live off campus. That opinion changed pretty darn fast hahaha.
This is some random info about off campus housing from a post I wrote a while back:
We have South Campus Commons and The Courtyards, both school-owned apartment complexes. Commons is actually pretty much on campus and Courtyards is a short walk or bus ride away. These types of housing are just like regular apartments, except you have to be a junior or senior who has lived on campus for 2 years (not sure of specifics). You also have a “community advisor” which is kind of like an RA. Almost all are 2 or 4 bedrooms (these run about $650-900 per month depending on model etc.)
There are also regular apartment complexes really close to campus, most are very nice and very new so they are little pricier. Some are the Varsity, the View, the Enclave, the Landmark, the Domain. There are many others and they range massively in price. From similar to courtyards/commons to very high prices (ex: for a big 1 bedroom apartment)
There are also other smaller options, which are mostly houses. There are many small “neighborhoods” around campus and renting a house is a popular option. They can be a very economical choice, as low as $500 a month (note: you get what you pay for size, location and shitty-ness wise). Anywhere from 3-6 bedrooms.
Let me start off saying I think University of Maryland is one amazing school. It’s a university that lets students figure out who they want to become. With thousands of classes, clubs, work internships, professors in the top of their fields and the proximity to DC, nothing is out of bounds for these students.
My D is a freshman this year in the Scholars program. It is a fantastic program. I knew she would have housing under Scholars for Freshman and Sophomore years and then priority for Junior and Senior years. She is a very serious student and would be better served to stay on campus all four years.
All of a sudden this year they are not letting Juniors and Seniors have priority and no more housing on campus unless there are openings. Another policy for next year are different room and dorm rates. I disagree with this because (in my opinion) it set up a $ class issue.
My D who is going into her Sophomore year is already having anxiety over having to move off campus for her Junior year. This year only about 650 ( my numbers could be off) Juniors applied for housing and I think only half have been denied.
When picking a school (we are oos), and knowing beforehand that the housing policies were changing I think me might have picked a different school. That being said my D had an amazing Freshman year and I am glad we are at University of Maryland. I hope that Residental Life will change the policies back…you never can tell.
My son is moving off campus as a sophomore. My guess is by junior year your student will Be ready to move off campus. There is housing available for some number of juniors and seniors though,