Getting Ready for College

Lesson 3: Selecting a College - Part II

Housing & Transportation

Off-Campus Housing

Did you know that some schools only guarantee on-campus housing to incoming freshmen? I didn’t realize this fact until my third child was starting the college search process. Some schools are large enough, and based on location, have dormitories for students for 4 years. Others have limited dorms and tell you up front (although in really small print) that your child will have to make his own living arrangements beginning with sophomore year. Most college students spend a year or two in dorms and then opt for an apartment with other students.

Don’t make yourself frantic over this, but do search for apartment rental prices in the college neighborhood once your child has narrowed the selection down to a handful. My daughter spent one year on campus and 3 in apartments and the cost was about the same. My son’s school was in a major city and the cost of off-campus housing was not something we could afford. Another consideration is the distance from the apartment to the school. How does he get back and forth and how much time will he spend commuting? Is he/she mature enough to handle the bills and negotiations that go with apartment living? Some landlords will NOT rent to the students; parents must sign the lease and be responsible. How responsible is your child? Is this financially feasible? Does it make sense for your child?

Transportation

How does one get around the campus and the neighboring community? Some schools have shuttle buses. Many campuses are small enough to walk from building to building. Some require the use of public transportation: buses, trains, subways. Some campuses do not allow cars. On other campuses, cars are a necessity. Is your child comfortable on public transportation? Are bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades permitted? Do they make sense? Will your child use them?

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