Housing/Dorms?

[schoolpsych1]

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If everyone is lucky enough to get into a program of their choice, have you thought much about housing and has that altered any of your decisions (re-NYC is too expensive)I remember meeting a student at a friend's family party a few years ago, who went to an Ivy grad school saying he stayed in a dorm his first year. He was going on about how much easier it was and the food was there in the cafe when he didn't have time or want to cook. I don't know if that option is always available or wanted, but I wondered how many of you would consider it?
There are many nice things to staying in an apartment, but many problems too. I think the option of a dorm would be more palitable if going straight from college, but not if you were out of that environment for long.
Any thoughts on living arrangements or right now, it's just getting in and I'll worry about it later.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I lived with a friend for my first 3.5 years, though another friend lived on campus and seemed to enjoy it. He was coming right from undergrad, so that probably made it much easier (I was a few years out and never really saw it as an option). There are a lot of positives that come from it (walking to class, easy food, etc), though the biggest drawback for me was the lifestyle. Though not all on-campus living is created equal...so definitely check it out.

 

[JockNerd]

Some schools (such as mine :-D) have grad student housing. Here, they're apartment-style and very nice. It's on campus and very cheap; I live alone in a huge 2-br for less money than I paid in my first year to live in two other people. Really good deal if your school has it.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Some schools (such as mine :-D) have grad student housing. Here, they're apartment-style and very nice. It's on campus and very cheap; I live alone in a huge 2-br for less money than I paid in my first year to live in two other people. Really good deal if your school has it.

Our on-campus housing is cheaper than the surrounding area, though it isn't significantly cheaper. I think the "convenience" is usually the selling point, though the "new" graduate housing apartments are really nice.

 

[cara susanna]

My future program's on-campus student apartments are really cheap, but... they won't allow guinea pigs. So I can't live there!

 

[Regression]

Oh, poo

You can't just sneak them in? 🙂

 

[Wildcat06]

Any thoughts on living arrangements or right now, it's just getting in and I'll worry about it later.

I don't think I'd worry about it this early in the process if I were you. But from what you've said on other threads, you seem to be a very strong candidate and will likely have tons of interviews. At that point I'd be asking a lot of questions about housing because it will likely factor into your final decision.

But as Cara Susanna pointed out, if you have a pet, the conversation would likely be moot. Grad housing wasn't an option for me either because they don't accept dogs.

 

[cara susanna]

Regression: I know, it's a guinea pig! She stays in a cage all day.

Sadly, I couldn't sneak her in because she's super loud 😀 Also, I'm a goody two-shoes who would never break a rule like that.

 

[schoolpsych1]

I think you have mistaken me for another "Psych" on this board, re the "strong candidate" but thank you all the same. I think it distracts me a bit from the overwhelming feeling I get sometimes to think ahead to practical matters.
I feel bad about the guinea pig too, but I couldn't sneak an animal in either.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I hope (if I get into a program!) that university housing will be available, as it is really, really difficult to find wheelchair accessible housing in the "real world," particualrly that which would be affordable on a grad student stipend.

 

[Wildcat06]

I think you have mistaken me for another "Psych" on this board, re the "strong candidate" but thank you all the same. I think it distracts me a bit from the overwhelming feeling I get sometimes to think ahead to practical matters.

Perhaps I did have you confused for someone else, but I still stand by my statement 😉

But I hear you on that. I spent a lot of time searching craigslist apartments throughout the application process.

 

[cara susanna]

schoolpsych: It's okay, I'm going to get an off-campus place so she can come with me. I'll feel much better once I have an apartment lined up, though. I'm going to look at them in June.