Please help- I'm totally freaking out
This was a PM in response to above, but I figured that everyone could benefit from my blabber, so here goes...
Apartments - Look now so that you can get your first pick rather then settle. You have to figure out if you want a roomate (and if you do, then find one now) or you want to live alone. I knew that I wanted to live alone and to have a garage, so I picked Lakeview Apartments through Maleno. Best choice ever, a bit on the more expensive side (for singles, for doubles they're average), but they're new, you can safely rent one without seeing it, and you cannot beat not having to scrape your windshield or unbury your car every morning for 3 months straight. Plus thier friendly maintenence man helps me whenever I break anything, even if it has nothing to do with thier appliances. If you want more on these apartments, PM me.
Can you wait until the info comes out from school? Sure, lots of people do, but I wanted everything settled so I had less stress. I knew where I was living and had payed my deposit in May, and I moved in a half a month early so that I could be settled prior to school starting. This was a very good thing, I would reccomend it. Then you guys can all hang out together before school starts and come in and get your computer done and ID picture taken.
Cars - I would get whatever you will be able to budget and will work for you, without going crazy on a really expensive vehicle. Make a budget and go from there. You need to figure out how much you will be spending a month on food, car insurance, car payments, books for school, gas/electricity, etc. I can give you estimates if you want this. One you do this, you can figure out how much you can afford for monthly payments on a car. If you put more money down initially, then your monthly payments will be less.
I bought a honda used certified CRV and am really happy with having 4 wheel drive up here (I've heard other people say that it doesn't matter, but I also get phone calls from those people asking if I can pick them up on the way to school). Buying something used, but certified, means that you're covered if something happens to it mechanically for however many years the warranty goes for (2 years for mine). I tried to plan for being poor the rest of my life, so I wanted a car that woul last for the next 8 years (school + residency) if need be.
Laptop - Good luck with that. I bought an HP and it works great. I haven't heard of anyone having any issues with thier computers. Everyone gets all worried about the needed computer specs, but honestly, your computer is just for you and what you will need. I have no idea why they put out those specs. The only thing that makes sense is that they want to protect thier network and they therefore require security software. Beyond that, ask a dorky friend to help you.
About being broke - Phone a friend or family member and see if anyone will spot you some cash until loans come in or get a job this summer. You need a security deposit and first months rent for most apartments, but some will let you wait until loans come in because they love LECOM students because they know that we get loans to pay for rent and won't screw them. You need to put money down for a car so that your payments are less. You need money for stuff in your apartment. You need to eat something other than Ramen noodles.
First things first...honestly, sit down and make a budget using the $ on LECOMs website that you get in loans for our class (2010) if your class' numbers aren't out yet (
http://www.lecom.edu/lecom/admissions/finaid.asp). Then go from there. If you can't bum money out of any of your loved ones (remind them that you can give free medical advice and osteopathic manipulations following this investment), then go to your bank and see what your options are for a short term loan until you get your loan money for school. Also, get a credit card if you don't have one because then you can buy a computer, books and everything you will need for your house last minute and be able to pay it off once you get your loans (you just have to time your purchases in the same billing period that you will get your loan money in). Check out PNC bank, they are the most popular with the students here (there's a mac machine in our cafeteria).
You can buy books from the bookstore at school (they sell for the same price as Amazon minus the shipping), but I often found mine used for cheaper (Amazon, Half.com, eBay, other students). I'm LDP, so I bought a lot of my books, but many of my classmates didn't. Sara, the bookstore guru can send you out a book list when it comes out for you guys.
Also, make sure that you do a credit check ASAP so that you are good to go on that one. I know a student in my class who's identity was stolen and when she applied for loans for school she was denied. It took her the first few months of school to work that out.
Any other questions, just ask. I'm learning about the lumbar spine right now. Pelvic tilting, its thrilling. As always, PM me with further questions, if I don't know I can direct you to someone who does.
and see you guys in the summer.
