Class of 2022...how you doin'?

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OGCatLady said:
Does everyone on here who is on the side of "go with the cheapest school" also on the side of "go with the cheapest apartment"? I need help with my decision. 🤔
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You already know my opinion -- need a few things that are worth paying for, basically. @MixedAnimals77 was deciding between some apartment options, iirc.
 
cdoconn said:
depends on what you want to pay and how safe it is hahahahaha. I’m pro-cheapest school, but pro-middle cost apartment. Don’t need the fancy stuff but would appreciate not being in a place where a murder might’ve previously occurred. :laugh:
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I could go with a place for $300 more a month that is huge (2bed) and renovated and closer to school, or a tiny 1 bed that is older and a little further. I am just worried I'll have to get rid of a bunch of my stuff if I went with the cheaper one, but I also think the more expensive one might be too big for just me. I also felt the middle of the road apartments I looked at were not worth it in terms of price increase.
 
youngkal said:
I’ve been told “live like a student now so you can live like a doctor later”

Take that how you will lol! I have to live in a place i like with good management. I wouldn’t give up certain things for less rent (dishwasher or in unit laundry because I’m lazy and it would take me a long time to do these otherwise) i also wouldn’t give up good management and maintenance for lower cost because you want stuff to get done in a timely manner and you don’t want to have to worry about that on top of school. That’s my two cents
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Unfortunately none of the apartments I looked at had in-unit laundry... I wish they did! I did get better management vibes from the more expensive place too.
 
OGCatLady said:
I could go with a place for $300 more a month that is huge (2bed) and renovated and closer to school, or a tiny 1 bed that is older and a little further. I am just worried I'll have to get rid of a bunch of my stuff if I went with the cheaper one, but I also think the more expensive one might be too big for just me. I also felt the middle of the road apartments I looked at were not worth it in terms of price increase.
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Can you live without some of you stuff? I know I have too much stuff and honestly would welcome something to make me downsize. On the upside maybe you can sell some of that money for books and stuff for the fall!

Additionally, would you have to get a roommate for the 2 bed room or live in it by yourself. Everything is just temporary in terms of your life and I mostly try to follow living cheaply as possible. What is the difference in terms of distance? Will you have to drive that distance everyday? Is there more traffic that way?
 
OGCatLady said:
Does everyone on here who is on the side of "go with the cheapest school" also on the side of "go with the cheapest apartment"? I need help with my decision. 🤔
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Staffy is right. I decided on the more expensive apartment. My situation is a bit different though. Mine was about $200 increase. I got upgraded to a dishwasher and an in-unit washer and dryer plus pets for no additional rent. The apartments are similar in size. I'm moving with my SO though so once he gets a job he'll be paying rent and I'm not taking out loans for that. However my apartment is going to be brand new compared to the other one. If I was moving by myself though definitely would've got a house with roommates. Also if I would've stayed instate I would be paying double for what I got so I'm OK spending the extra money.
 
genome1622 said:
Can you live without some of you stuff? I know I have too much stuff and honestly would welcome something to make me downsize. On the upside maybe you can sell some of that money for books and stuff for the fall!

Additionally, would you have to get a roommate for the 2 bed room or live in it by yourself. Everything is just temporary in terms of your life and I mostly try to follow living cheaply as possible. What is the difference in terms of distance? Will you have to drive that distance everyday? Is there more traffic that way?
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I don't feel like I have too much... Really the main problem is storage space in the kitchen and elsewhere for pet supplies, human food, dishes, etc. And its just small in general (sq ft) which I feel like may not be the best for my two kitties. For the 2 bed it also seems small for 2 people and 2 cats, but I did see a bigger unit which is $100 more that would be nice with a roommate. I am not opposed to it, it just seems to be hard to find vet students who aren't also bringing pets. Also, Its a 15 min walk vs. 23 min so not terrible at all.

MixedAnimals77 said:
Staffy is right. I decided on the more expensive apartment. My situation is a bit different though. Mine was about $200 increase. I got upgraded to a dishwasher and an in-unit washer and dryer plus pets for no additional rent. The apartments are similar in size. I'm moving with my SO though so once he gets a job he'll be paying rent and I'm not taking out loans for that. However my apartment is going to be brand new compared to the other one. If I was moving by myself though definitely would've got a house with roommates. Also if I would've stayed instate I would be paying double for what I got so I'm OK spending the extra money.
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The more expensive one does have a dishwasher which is almost a necessity for me because I HATE dishes haha. My cats make it difficult to find a good house situation though... 🙁
 
OGCatLady said:
I don't feel like I have too much... Really the main problem is storage space in the kitchen and elsewhere for pet supplies, human food, dishes, etc. And its just small in general (sq ft) which I feel like may not be the best for my two kitties. For the 2 bed it also seems small for 2 people and 2 cats, but I did see a bigger unit which is $100 more that would be nice with a roommate. I am not opposed to it, it just seems to be hard to find vet students who aren't also bringing pets. Also, Its a 15 min walk vs. 23 min so not terrible at all.


The more expensive one does have a dishwasher which is almost a necessity for me because I HATE dishes haha. My cats make it difficult to find a good house situation though... 🙁
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Have you thought about living a bit further from school and take the system into school? Not sure if housing gets better a little further away or not. Definitely use your resources of current incoming peeps to your school like staff. Good luck! If you were coming to WA housing with cats is way easier than finding some with dogs!
 
OGCatLady said:
I don't feel like I have too much... Really the main problem is storage space in the kitchen and elsewhere for pet supplies, human food, dishes, etc. And its just small in general (sq ft) which I feel like may not be the best for my two kitties. For the 2 bed it also seems small for 2 people and 2 cats, but I did see a bigger unit which is $100 more that would be nice with a roommate. I am not opposed to it, it just seems to be hard to find vet students who aren't also bringing pets. Also, Its a 15 min walk vs. 23 min so not terrible at all.


The more expensive one does have a dishwasher which is almost a necessity for me because I HATE dishes haha. My cats make it difficult to find a good house situation though... 🙁
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I had a similar dilemma when I was looking at apartments recently. I ended up going with a small (sq ft is smalllll and that’s from someone who was born and raised in NYC apartments) one bed that is closer to campus and a great price. I, like you, am worried about kitchen/storage space, but I took over the apartment from a current PennVet 4th year who had some helpful tips about making the best use of the space. I think of it like this... it’s one year, and if I don’t love it, I can always move. Also, saving those extra few hundred a month is great.
 
CAndM16 said:
I had a similar dilemma when I was looking at apartments recently. I ended up going with a small (sq ft is smalllll and that’s from someone who was born and raised in NYC apartments) one bed that is closer to campus and a great price. I, like you, am worried about kitchen/storage space, but I took over the apartment from a current PennVet 4th year who had some helpful tips about making the best use of the space. I think of it like this... it’s one year, and if I don’t love it, I can always move. Also, saving those extra few hundred a month is great.
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Hmm... I'm definitely going to have to think on it more. Best case scenario would be a roommate in the biggest apartment, because that would still be cheaper than the smaller unit, but finding someone if proving to be difficult. I'm just super anxious about locking down a place asap before they are all gone! Would it be silly to sign for a 2 bed for peace of mind and worry about finding a roommate later?
 
OGCatLady said:
Hmm... I'm definitely going to have to think on it more. Best case scenario would be a roommate in the biggest apartment, because that would still be cheaper than the smaller unit, but finding someone if proving to be difficult. I'm just super anxious about locking down a place asap before they are all gone! Would it be silly to sign for a 2 bed for peace of mind and worry about finding a roommate later?
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Maybe once more 2nd/3rd years join the FB group you can have better luck finding a roommate? People are still being admitted off the waitlist too!
 
OGCatLady said:
Hmm... I'm definitely going to have to think on it more. Best case scenario would be a roommate in the biggest apartment, because that would still be cheaper than the smaller unit, but finding someone if proving to be difficult. I'm just super anxious about locking down a place asap before they are all gone! Would it be silly to sign for a 2 bed for peace of mind and worry about finding a roommate later?
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how are you looking for a roommate, are you asking on the facebook page? There are also a few facebook pages that include all of penn that might help you find someone (they just probably won't be a vet student). Try searching on facebook for University of Pennsylvania Housing.

Chances are you will be able to find someone, BUT I have heard of people getting stuck with extra bedrooms and having to pay the full rent because they weren't able to fill the rooms.
 
youngkal said:
Take that how you will lol! I have to live in a place i like with good management. I wouldn’t give up certain things for less rent (dishwasher or in unit laundry because I’m lazy and it would take me a long time to do these otherwise) i also wouldn’t give up good management and maintenance for lower cost because you want stuff to get done in a timely manner and you don’t want to have to worry about that on top of school. That’s my two cents
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I agree with this! I went with a semi-nice place that has a dishwasher and in-unit laundry, and maintenance is great about getting things fixed quickly. Of course it can be hard to know beforehand how good management will be unless you've actually talked to multiple people who've lived there, but it's a newer complex so I hoped that I wouldn't have to worry about needing maintenance too often (and I was correct). I looked at another place that was about $100 cheaper a month but it was much older, just had coin-operated laundry in the building, and the dishwashers were the old-fashioned portable kind that you have to hook up to the sink. :laugh: So it was not worth it to me to pay less to live with an annoyance like that, but I wouldn't go for some luxury apartment that has a bunch of amenities I'll never use (gym, tanning salon, cafe, tennis court, etc.)

ETA: I also chose to live alone even though that's obviously more expensive, because I love having my own space and the peace and quiet, and I did NOT want to have to deal with roommate conflicts on top of the stress of vet school.
 
OGCatLady said:
Does everyone on here who is on the side of "go with the cheapest school" also on the side of "go with the cheapest apartment"? I need help with my decision. 🤔
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Hey OGCatLady 🙂 I agree with go to the cheapest school (unless the difference is minimal, for example, the last 2 schools I was down to would end up being a $5,000 after 4 years including living costs, and although I still went with the cheapest school, I felt sacrificing going to a program that was perfectly suited for me would be ridiculous when it's only $5,000 on the line which is a loan that barely adds time onto a loan, but again, I went with the cheaper option). When it comes to living, as most people have said, you obviously don't want to live in a sketchy area because it's $100 cheaper a month. For me, as someone who's had bad experiences with roommates, that's what I based my decision on more. There were houses that I could have moved to that would have been $1200 cheaper over the year but the environment wouldn't have been ideal (i'm not a big drinker so I wanted to live with older and possibly some nontraditional students). Overall, it's still a cost that I can live with because mental health-wise it's ideal. 🙂
 
MixedAnimals77 said:
Have you thought about living a bit further from school and take the system into school?
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I'm just so used to rolling out of bed and walking to work, I think having to switch back to commuting would be a pain. Sorry I missed this earlier. Also, it seems like the further away from campus, the worse safety is, although can't say for sure.

raf2769 said:
how are you looking for a roommate, are you asking on the facebook page? There are also a few facebook pages that include all of penn that might help you find someone (they just probably won't be a vet student). Try searching on facebook for University of Pennsylvania Housing.

Chances are you will be able to find someone, BUT I have heard of people getting stuck with extra bedrooms and having to pay the full rent because they weren't able to fill the rooms.
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So our class's FB page decided to create a group chat for people seeking roommates instead of posting on the wall of the group. I posted with in that chat, but will definitely post on the page or on the university wide page if it comes down to it, especially if I do go ahead and sign to lock down somewhere.

LyraGardenia said:
ETA: I also chose to live alone even though that's obviously more expensive, because I love having my own space and the peace and quiet, and I did NOT want to have to deal with roommate conflicts on top of the stress of vet school.
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Miranda Senft said:
Hey OGCatLady 🙂 I agree with go to the cheapest school (unless the difference is minimal, for example, the last 2 schools I was down to would end up being a $5,000 after 4 years including living costs, and although I still went with the cheapest school, I felt sacrificing going to a program that was perfectly suited for me would be ridiculous when it's only $5,000 on the line which is a loan that barely adds time onto a loan, but again, I went with the cheaper option). When it comes to living, as most people have said, you obviously don't want to live in a sketchy area because it's $100 cheaper a month. For me, as someone who's had bad experiences with roommates, that's what I based my decision on more. There were houses that I could have moved to that would have been $1200 cheaper over the year but the environment wouldn't have been ideal (i'm not a big drinker so I wanted to live with older and possibly some nontraditional students). Overall, it's still a cost that I can live with because mental health-wise it's ideal. 🙂
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This is also something I am factoring in. I have also had roommate issues in the past, and have definitely enjoyed having my own place to come home to this past year.
 
Okay sorry to take over this thread again haha, but I think I've decided on the more expensive place (my mom even chose it, which is saying something because she is cheap and helping me with the down payments). But if I do decide to live alone, do you think that will impact my social life at all? I still want to hang out with people a bunch and explore Philly, and obviously roommates make that a lot easier. But I am also used to having my own space and when it comes to studying, I do it best solo. I just don't want to end up back in the situation I am in now where people I thought were my friends at work don't invite me to their outings and I pretty much have no social life because I am too shy/afraid/awkward to go out alone and meet people... On the other end though, what if I room with people I don't mesh with... That can also be miserable because I have been in that situation before. Thoughts?
 
OGCatLady said:
Okay sorry to take over this thread again haha, but I think I've decided on the more expensive place (my mom even chose it, which is saying something because she is cheap and helping me with the down payments). But if I do decide to live alone, do you think that will impact my social life at all? I still want to hang out with people a bunch and explore Philly, and obviously roommates make that a lot easier. But I am also used to having my own space and when it comes to studying, I do it best solo. I just don't want to end up back in the situation I am in now where people I thought were my friends at work don't invite me to their outings and I pretty much have no social life because I am too shy/afraid/awkward to go out alone and meet people... On the other end though, what if I room with people I don't mesh with... That can also be miserable because I have been in that situation before. Thoughts?
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I think you’ll be just fine! I’m living alone as well because I also wanted personal space. I’m pretty extroverted and going to Penn next year, and always down to hang out and explore Philly! (calling @staff_wielder too)
 
OGCatLady said:
Okay sorry to take over this thread again haha, but I think I've decided on the more expensive place (my mom even chose it, which is saying something because she is cheap and helping me with the down payments). But if I do decide to live alone, do you think that will impact my social life at all? I still want to hang out with people a bunch and explore Philly, and obviously roommates make that a lot easier. But I am also used to having my own space and when it comes to studying, I do it best solo. I just don't want to end up back in the situation I am in now where people I thought were my friends at work don't invite me to their outings and I pretty much have no social life because I am too shy/afraid/awkward to go out alone and meet people... On the other end though, what if I room with people I don't mesh with... That can also be miserable because I have been in that situation before. Thoughts?
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Depends on you. I have a friend who lived alone for all of first semester and I was at her place or hanging out with her for hours like 4+ times a week, so it really depends on your own preferences and how you want to engage with things. I live with a roommate now and hardly ever have people over or go out because I'm a huge homebody. I think the bigger difference is a personality and personal choice one, so living by yourself certainly shouldn't be a massive influence on your social life.

Also remember that you'll be spending like 8 hours a day with your class, so there is a tendency to be invited to class social events and/or adopted by extroverts (the best scenario lol).
 
vetmedhead said:
Also remember that you'll be spending like 8 hours a day with your class, so there is a tendency to be invited to class social events and/or adopted by extroverts (the best scenario lol).
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My one extroverted friend adopted 5 introverts, including myself. I think it got to be too much for her to handle on her own, so she had to bring in another extrovert for backup. It works out pretty nicely 😀
 
But yeah I lived alone (until the hubz moved in) and just spent a lot of time at my friends' places. I never host because I live the furthest away and also my apartment is always a disaster. I have much more of a social life now than I did in undergrad - my roommate was my best friend and we pretty much just always hung out together. Neither situation is bad and I was/am happy in both. Just depends on you.
 
SkiOtter said:
Hello friends. I am here.
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tenor.gif
 
Okay guys... I’m in my last week of undergrad and finals are next week. I’m in biochem, physiology, and micro and MY MOTIVATION IS DWINDLING. I JUST WANNA BE IN VET SCHOOL ALREADY! Only a few more months until our dreams begin to come true 😍
 
agzs2015 said:
Okay guys... I’m in my last week of undergrad and finals are next week. I’m in biochem, physiology, and micro and MY MOTIVATION IS DWINDLING. I JUST WANNA BE IN VET SCHOOL ALREADY! Only a few more months until our dreams begin to come true 😍
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I know!!!! I have zero motivation right now 😛
 
agzs2015 said:
Okay guys... I’m in my last week of undergrad and finals are next week. I’m in biochem, physiology, and micro and MY MOTIVATION IS DWINDLING. I JUST WANNA BE IN VET SCHOOL ALREADY! Only a few more months until our dreams begin to come true 😍
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Take the break and enjoy it! Rest up, you're gonna need it 😉
 
Miranda Senft said:
Every single one of you needs to remind me how excited I was and ready to get vet school started when I complain about how hard it is 😛 :uhno:
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I literally can't remember the excitement anymore :laugh: I remember the excitement of getting in but not the excitement to start or anything. That's all been buried lol
 
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