Schools with at least two years in dorms

[Anonymous]

You cant always go by the on campus stats on the websites. For example, at U Mich, most kids move out of the dorms by junior year but the houses and condos for rent are really integrated into the campus. You might even live in a dorm that is FARTHER from the school buildings than an "off campus" rental.

UMD seemed similar where there were "off campus" apts right next to the dorm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was posted on another thread, and I think it's worth repeating and something to consider (ask about) when touring schools:


"Lining up housing for Sophomore year. Because of tight rental markets the process started immediately after winter break and it was clearly a source of stress. Finding roommates wasn't the issue, just chasing down leads on availability was difficult. Older DC had guaranteed housing all four years, so this caught us off guard."

It is going to vary school to school. Obviously, high rental market in cities is going to be more difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UCLA - all 4 yrs but you start in a triple room

But they also count living in your fraternity or sorority house, right??? Otherwise none of those houses in Westwood would be able to sustain themselves….

Many of the sororities do require members to live in the house one year. That is not counted in UCLA's 4-year on-campus housing guarantee, however. All students are guaranteed four years of actual university housing, should they choose.

[Anonymous]

Yale, Rice and other privates with residential college system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rice -- and it's residential college system is fantastic.

I didn’t realize it’s all four years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU does not require students to stay on campus for two years, but it guarantees housing for four years, so there’s no problem staying in campus housing.

BC is the same. Most stay on campus but they don’t have to.

I believe BC does require two years. Students would stay all four if they could...but some are only guaranteed three years.

They generally move off junior year and then back on campus senior year to get the best housing senior year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a parent, I much prefer on-campus for at least 3 years. I don't want to deal with the BS and leases, and empty apartment over the summer, etc. Faulty balconies, etc. At my school a balcony at a shoddy apt building (newer build) fell with student overload...ugh

There are some issues with dorms. Most close for the summer, so if you get a job or take summer classes, you have to sublet in the neighborhood. You have to take all your stuff with you every summer when you're in the dorms.

I actually think it's good for kids to learn about leases and utilities. Schools often have off-campus housing staff that will help students if they have questions about leases and such. It's a good transition to the "real world."

Not saying it's the best for every kid. Just want to point out that dorms have drawbacks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UCLA - all 4 yrs but you start in a triple room

But they also count living in your fraternity or sorority house, right??? Otherwise none of those houses in Westwood would be able to sustain themselves….

Guarantees four years; doesn’t require

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's a list of where 89%+ of students live on campus (so 3+ years on average):

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/most-on-campus

This is helpful. And OP, good to be thinking about this now. At our college kids' schools, they signed leases early in the first semester. In one case, with a disaster of a roommate they barely knew.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU does not require students to stay on campus for two years, but it guarantees housing for four years, so there’s no problem staying in campus housing.

BC is the same. Most stay on campus but they don’t have to.

I believe BC does require two years. Students would stay all four if they could...but some are only guaranteed three years.

They generally move off junior year and then back on campus senior year to get the best housing senior year.

BC guarantees 3; does not require.
We’ve heard a gazillion times that seniors vie to come back to live in the trailer park on campus (called “mods” and apparently intended to be temporary but now a cool fun community for seniors who congregate, cookout on their patios, etc).

[Anonymous]

Loyola University in MD has better than average on campus housing.

Most students want to stay on campus. There is a lot of housing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would love feedback. I would rather look at schools that mandate dorms for at least two years. Seems a lot of schools just have one and then you are on your own. I think my DC would benefit from a few years dorms. DC agrees. TIA

I preferred this for both my kids. And it worked well.

If only 1 year is required, your kid will have been on campus a month (sometimes less) and they will begin the search for who they want to live with the next fall. Remember these kids are signing leases that are binding and you cannot get out of for any reason. If your kid wants to transfer, oh well you are paying for the apartment. If your kid no longer likes those kids or downright they all hate each other, well you will be finding a sublet or paying for 2 apartments or your kid will be living with those people.

But I cannot imaging having to search for sophomore housing within a month of being on campus. My kid was just starting to find their group, and I know plenty of people who don't find their group until Spring semester. The stress of searching for housing so soon does not seem like a good thing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BU does not require students to stay on campus for two years, but it guarantees housing for four years, so there’s no problem staying in campus housing.

BC is the same. Most stay on campus but they don’t have to.

I believe BC does require two years. Students would stay all four if they could...but some are only guaranteed three years.

They generally move off junior year and then back on campus senior year to get the best housing senior year.

BC guarantees 3; does not require.
We’ve heard a gazillion times that seniors vie to come back to live in the trailer park on campus (called “mods” and apparently intended to be temporary but now a cool fun community for seniors who congregate, cookout on their patios, etc).

Gotcha - but the main point is that BC students WANT to live on campus. I don't know a single person who didn't live on campus every year they were allowed to. (and they tend to move off Junior year in order to be back on campus Senior year). The mods are VERY popular (I lived in one) and have become even more difficult to get into because they had to eliminate some over the years. The mods were long past due for their "temporary status" in the late 80's - so it's amazing they still exist. (but they are an icon of BC housing).