Dorms are good for meeting other dental students(good friends), studying together, going to the gym, partying, late night booty call...all of that. There are probably 125-150 in the 26th street dorms. I would do dorms for sure....who cares about a little extra money taken out on loans...big deal. You'll like it here, it may not be as nice as an apartment, but we are college students so ...who cares. Do the dorms if you can and if you can't the closer the apartment the better.