Do you dorm for college???

[PrinceofWands]

I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

 

[PepePeru]

freshman & sophomore years.

 

[Q]

I goto a small school and the you are required to live on campus for 3 years, which really really blows b/c for guys, there are ONLY 2 dorms to live in, and the nicer one of the two is for freshman only (the one I am in right now).

 

[blinky8225]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

I don't really know. It's required for the first 3 years at my school. With the way admissions and finances work, it's highly unlikely that situation would arise, though. The oldest freshmen that I know are 21 because they are international students, and military service is required for them.

 

[Q]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

If they are married/basically 'old' you can live off campus (I goto a school like the one you described)

 

[InflatableBuddha]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I lived in dorms all 4 years out of convenience. I highly recommend least the first year.

Awesome. I thought I was the only person who did this. Well, truth be told, the first 2 years were more fun - random parties, etc; the last two were more convenience-oriented. I tried to organize my buddies for an on-campus apartment, but that fell through.

Originally posted by: tfinch2
Do it. It is awesome. You can get poon multiple times a week if you have a pulse.

QFT. I didn't get it quite as often as this mackdaddy, but the opportunities are there.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: blinky8225

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

I don't really know. It's required for the first 3 years at my school. With the way admissions and finances work, it's highly unlikely that situation would arise, though. The oldest freshmen that I know are 21 because they are international students, and military service is required for them.

That would be an INCREDIBLE anomoly, because nationally 20% of Freshman are over 35, and 41% are over 25. Many schools are even above 90% older students now.

 

[blinky8225]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
That would be an INCREDIBLE anomoly, because nationally 20% of Freshman are over 35, and 41% are over 25. Many schools are even above 90% older students now.

Really? That is an interesting statistic. However, at my school, pretty much everyone comes straight out of high school. It really isn't financially feasible to do so, and with the admissions criteria, it's very difficult to be accepted (heavy emphasis on SAT scores, GPA, AP scores etc.) at that age. I'm not doubting the validity of that stat, but it's not even close to true at my school.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: blinky8225

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
That would be an INCREDIBLE anomoly, because nationally 20% of Freshman are over 35, and 41% are over 25. Many schools are even above 90% older students now.

Really? That is an interesting statistic. However, at my school, pretty much everyone comes straight out of high school. It really isn't financially feasible to do so, and with the admissions criteria, it's very difficult to be accepted (heavy emphasis on SAT scores, GPA, AP scores etc.) at that age. I'm not doubting the validity of that stat, but it's not even close to true at my school.

Yuppers...(here's a link that talks about it, though you can follow the citation information to primary sources if you'd like). Of the 6 colleges I've been to I'd say at LEAST 1 in 3 have been over 25, with maybe 1 in 5 over 35...so the stats seem to hold in my experience.

Well, SAT scores aren't a 'young' thing, neither is GPA. In fact, statistically older students get higher grades and higher test scores by a fairly significant margin. About the only thing that would favor younger students is AP stuff, since that's really only become common in the last 15 years or so.

Most colleges (perhaps all) monitor demographics of students, especially age. I would be curious, if you were to check it out, what percentages your school lists.

 

[blinky8225]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: blinky8225

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
That would be an INCREDIBLE anomoly, because nationally 20% of Freshman are over 35, and 41% are over 25. Many schools are even above 90% older students now.

Really? That is an interesting statistic. However, at my school, pretty much everyone comes straight out of high school. It really isn't financially feasible to do so, and with the admissions criteria, it's very difficult to be accepted (heavy emphasis on SAT scores, GPA, AP scores etc.) at that age. I'm not doubting the validity of that stat, but it's not even close to true at my school.

Yuppers...(here's a link that talks about it, though you can follow the citation information to primary sources if you'd like). Of the 6 colleges I've been to I'd say at LEAST 1 in 3 have been over 25, with maybe 1 in 5 over 35...so the stats seem to hold in my experience.

Well, SAT scores aren't a 'young' thing, neither is GPA. In fact, statistically older students get higher grades and higher test scores by a fairly significant margin. About the only thing that would favor younger students is AP stuff, since that's really only become common in the last 15 years or so.

Most colleges (perhaps all) monitor demographics of students, especially age. I would be curious, if you were to check it out, what percentages your school lists.

Ah, I see. It certainly is eye-opening looking at college from that perspective. My school doesn't list its average age for its undergraduate class. However, for its medical school, the average age is 22. So, I'm guessing the undergraduate class is less. From experience, I'd put it at 18. I'm pretty sure most it's similar at most peer institutions.

 

[thepd7]

Another vote for spent 2 years in a dorm, some of the best times in my life. I lucked out and the 30-40 guys on my wing were all incredible but even if it was only half as fun I would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[imported_Tick]

Commuter here. 30 mins away from U of A, at home. Is awesome. You couldn't pay me to live in a dorm. It'd be nice to have my own place, sure. But not paying any rent, and having tons of space is awesome. AND I can cook, in my mom's wonderfully equiped kitchen.

 

[alkemyst]

man, these people living at home in college need to cut those apron strings. You are missing out on a ton of experiences. No matter how cool you think your parents are; many will avoid that whole situation.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: blinky8225

Ah, I see. It certainly is eye-opening looking at college from that perspective. My school doesn't list its average age for its undergraduate class. However, for its medical school, the average age is 22. So, I'm guessing the undergraduate class is less. From experience, I'd put it at 18. I'm pretty sure most it's similar at most peer institutions.

Most students don't realize how many people come during the late afternoon and evenings. Early morning classes are usually younger.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

Most schools have exceptions to married students and those with children.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

Most schools have exceptions to married students and those with children.

That's hardly enough to cut it though. For instance let's say I get out of the military at 22, get a job for a couple years and realize I need my degree to go further. So I'm 24, have my own place, single, no kids, etc. Then my college tells me I have to give up my place and move into a dorm? Not gonna fly. I can go to war and face death for my country, I can support myself completely in the 'real world', but I can't choose where I live during school? I'm just really floored by this entire situation. Again, I've never heard of a school requiring you to live on campus, so this is a new concept for me.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

Most schools have exceptions to married students and those with children.

That's hardly enough to cut it though. For instance let's say I get out of the military at 22, get a job for a couple years and realize I need my degree to go further. So I'm 24, have my own place, single, no kids, etc. Then my college tells me I have to give up my place and move into a dorm? Not gonna fly. I can go to war and face death for my country, I can support myself completely in the 'real world', but I can't choose where I live during school? I'm just really floored by this entire situation. Again, I've never heard of a school requiring you to live on campus, so this is a new concept for me.

Maybe hardly enough to cut it but that is the way it is. You aren't entitled to go to any school.

Military has nothing to do with anything other than they may help you pay to a school.

You can also go to war for your country and still not be legal to drink alcohol.

It's quite clear you haven't heard of this though and probably many other things...

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

Most schools have exceptions to married students and those with children.

That's hardly enough to cut it though. For instance let's say I get out of the military at 22, get a job for a couple years and realize I need my degree to go further. So I'm 24, have my own place, single, no kids, etc. Then my college tells me I have to give up my place and move into a dorm? Not gonna fly. I can go to war and face death for my country, I can support myself completely in the 'real world', but I can't choose where I live during school? I'm just really floored by this entire situation. Again, I've never heard of a school requiring you to live on campus, so this is a new concept for me.

At any school, even the ones that require freshmen to live on campus, I am sure that you can apply for an exemption and that sounds like a case in which it would be granted.

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I'm curious about these posts that say it's required by the college to live in dorms...what do they do when a 40yr old married person with a full time job and family go to the school? You obviously don't tell that person that they have to move into a dorm, so I'm curious what the wording is on exceptions?

Most schools have exceptions to married students and those with children.

My school has a completely separate residence building for just these kinds of families. They are kind of like town houses, but probably cheaper.

 

[Spikesoldier]

id rather not attend an institution that dictates where i must reside as a condition for enrollment.

that said, its been my own 1 bedroom apartment all the way for me the last 3 years. no roommates to mess things up or worry about, it is very quiet here and i can play the music pretty much as loud as i desire, as the two units next to me are empty at the moment.

you learn to cook for yourself and do household things rather than having everything served on a platter for you and maid service to clean your mess (they have this at dorms?)

 

[Eeezee]

Everyone recommends you do it for a year.

Do it if it's cheaper than getting an apartment. Where I went for my undergrad the dorms were really overpriced. If sleeping in the same room as someone else w/ a public restroom down the hall costs the same as getting a room mate and a 2-bedroom apartment, then by all means get the apartment (at least then you get your own room).

People recommend dorms for the interactions, but honestly it's what you make of it. I made all of my friends through my major and then made more friends through those connections. I only made maybe one or two friends in my dorm, and that could have just as easily been done at an apartment complex. It's also nice to live close to your classes, so your commute time is lessened. If you're getting an apartment significantly far away, include the price of gas in your rent estimate.

Right now I'm in subsidized graduate housing. It's like a dorm but 100x better; significantly cheaper than the surrounding apartments (we're talking 50% cheaper including utilities) and still very nice and roomy.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Deeko
I did my freshman year - and sophomore year I lived in a big on-campus apartment complex which was essentially a dorm with less rules (in fact the first 4 floors of the 17 floor building was owned by the school).

I highly, highly recommend it. Are the rooms small and not always the best? Yes. Does it generally mean you'll be stuck with a college meal plan too? Yes. It is worth it. You meet so many people in the dorms - my best friends through 5 years of college were the people on my floor freshman year. Plus, you grow a lot and learn a lot about life as a whole when you don't live at home - something commuters really miss out on in college.

This is exactly what I'm talking about. Why can't you get those same interactions in an apartment complex? It's great that you made friends in your dorm, but it was YOU that made those friends, not just living in a dorm. You can make friends no matter where you live; in particular, apartment complexes near campus are going to be all students anyway, so the experience should be nearly identical (but fewer rules; don't have to worry about getting busted for a hot plate or a bottle of whiskey in your closet)

 

[Q]

Yeah, live in a dorm, it's interesting though not best if you want to have your own space

 

[duragezic]

The only way I'd consider living in a dorm (well not anymore, but when I first came to university) is if they were sort of suites (separate bedrooms), it wasn't very overpriced, and if the off-campus apartment/house situation was crap.

At my school, you are required to live in the dorms your first year (unless married, or 21 and over, or have kids, etc) but another exception is transfer students don't have to do the whole freshman orientation week (thank god) or live in the dorms. No way in hell could I live with someone in a tiny room on bunk beds (the dorms here). And how about if you or you roommate have a girlfriend who visits often?

As others have said, you can meet awesome people in class, at an apartment complex, or wherever. If you are someone who has a hard time doing that, the dorms would provide a better opportunity to meet people.

But for me personally, it's not something I'd like to do. Sometimes you can meet just one person, and through them you meet a bunch of others, and start to always know of something to do or a party to go to if you want. So you really don't need 200 friends to have a social life.

 

[AmpedSilence]

If you are going to college right after high school, i generally believe that living in the dorms the first year is a requirement. Afterward, you can live at home (if it's close enough) or get an apartment off-campus after that. But the first year, LIVE IN THE DORMS.

My first and second years i lived in the dorms, had the same roommate both years. He is pretty much my closest friend now. We threw some awesome parties. afterward, I lived in my fraternity house for the last two years of college. Overall, most of my firends now are either from the floor i lived on freshman year OR are my fraternity brothers. Its an experiance that should not be missed out on.