Apartment versus Dorm room?

Question

Hello everybody. I am getting ready to transfer to a bigger University, and I was wondering rather to live in the dorms, or get an apartment? Pros and cons of each? I hear that if you live in an apartment, you often don't make as many close friends; is this true?
Any information would be greatly appreciated! Thanks bunches!

Answer 1

For me, the dorm was so out of control and noisy, that I moved out after the 1st semester in one -- it was HORRIBLE. I much preferred to be in an apartment, but of course, I was paying my own way through college, and KNEW that I only had one shot to achieve my degree.

I would ask at the college you are planning on attending -- and try to get into a dorm that is based on your interests -- a lot of colleges are basing dorms on common themes -- What school (like Math, Science, Business) you are in, around religious beliefs (not specific religions -- just putting students who worship together so that worship days will not be interrupted by partiers), Dorms for students of a single sex (like Girls only dorm), etc.

The apartment can be quieter (maybe -- depends on the residents). So you have to balance this against the dorm (which is most likely smaller rooms too) and the fact that the dorms will also offer a food service (and in an apartment, you are on your own to pay for your food and utilities).

It does not matter how many friends you make -- what matters is how much you want to get that degree and where you want to be in life. I knew many who started at the same time I did (and because I was serious because I HAD to be), the ones who were partying -- goofing off -- not studying or doing assignments -- well, they FAILED, were disenrolled, and a lot never got their degrees. I went through doing my work, and by opening my mind (and looking at the possibilities of Military Service (which I entered, served in, and then Retired From), I was able to experience so much more -- a very rich life indeed with places that I could have only dreamed of prior to entering the Military and earning my degrees. These blessings meant that I may not have had the social life of the century, but I balance that against my Graduate Degrees, my Retirement, my service, and my ability to live as a single parent and do all the care for my two teenagers -- and I have determined that this early sacrifice was DEFINITELY WORTH IT.

Answer 2

I hated living in the dorm. Apts are better if you have the money. As far as the friends thing. That is true to some extent. But then again that is just becuase you are around more people. And more people = more noise and less privacy. Now on the other hand that also depends on the school you go to. The one I went to you had to live on campus, and I had no choice. But there was a bigger school like 10 miles away that had like 10 times as many students and it is known for it's partys... there all the action (and people to meet) were at the apartments. I ended up dropping out of college and moving in with my b/f in one of the apartments mentioned about. It was even crazier than the dorm because these were deisgned for college students. Parties every night. If that's you thing it's totally cool other wise try to find a quite apartment somewhere else in town.

Answer 3

I highly suggest living in a dorm for at least 1 year because you get the chance to meet so many new people. I lived in a dorm for my first year and the people that I met there are my closest friends. We are actually living togther now. I know a few people that lived off campus and the only people they know are the people that they went to high school with and the friends that they make in their classes. Being in a large university kind of limits the amount of friends you can make and get close to in class because there are so many people in most of the elective and initial classes. Being that you are transfering you may not have as much trouble because you will be in higher level courses. In living in a dorm you get the chance to meet and really get to know people because afterall you're really living with them. I think you can learn a lot about a person by staying in close quarters with them. I know I did. Good Luck with the decision.

Answer 4

I would recommend living in the dorm at least the first year. It definitely helps in meeting people. I lived in the dorm my first year of undergrad and it was a great way to meet people. When I transferred schools, I moved into an apartment and found it was a lot harder to meet people. You do meet people in classes, but you tend to not form as close of relationships as when you are around people in a dorm due to the differing amounts of times, environments, and situations.

Answer 5

Pros dorm Cons dorm pros apt cons apt
around people too noisy larger not furnished
no utility bills too small privacy more bills
? curfew? choose a roomy ????
If you like to be in complete control of what goes on...choose an apt. You have complete control over who lives with you and what is allowed, what time you have to be home. You don't have to worry about if your dormmate has people over when you go home. If you are more the party type stay in a dorm..there is always loud people around looking for something to do.

Answer 6

If you have never lived in a dorm, I highly suggest it for at least a year, and then get an apartment, because you havent lived college until you've lived in a dorm, but go to the library to study and once you are in your older college years, well, an apartment is definitely more adviseable.

Answer 7

Dorm you can stay up late with others on your hall , eat pizza lots of fun...drawback ...no privacy, room mate may go through your things.
Apt. you have privacy and the feeling of independence. drawback.. it cost more.
It all depends if you are very focused or not. If you are focused on making great grades, I would say apt is for you. If you need help staying focused, stay on campus.