Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great. Helps them understand the real world, instead of their pampered upper class childhoods.
Hopefully it helps motivate them to get out of their room to meet people and study hard, so they get a job that pays enough to afford a proper apartment someday.
A little discomfort is good for growth.

Where in the "real world" do people share a bedroom with a stranger?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are so many things about college adjustment that are totally alien to me, since I was extremely independent. Cinderblock dorm room? No worries, at least I had my freedom. Shared bathroom? I had 4 brothers, so NBD. If you want your kid to be self-sufficient then let them deal with the dorms themselves. They’ll adjust and learn to deal. Unless you plan on subsidizing their living expenses for a decade, they will have many more small and crowded and old accomodations to come. And you knoenwhat? It’s FUN. Who among us didn’t live in a crazy group house? Live on a shoestring in an expensive, vibrant city? And if your kid aspires to a nicer home then well - great opportunity for them to set their sights on a career that will let them afford that sooner than later.

I lived in a tiny studio apartment. As a happy introvert, that's much more appealing than living in a "crazy group house." Though at least in a crazy group house (as opposed to college dorm) you'd presumably have your own bedroom.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great. Helps them understand the real world, instead of their pampered upper class childhoods.
Hopefully it helps motivate them to get out of their room to meet people and study hard, so they get a job that pays enough to afford a proper apartment someday.
A little discomfort is good for growth.

Anonymous wrote:I think it's great. Helps them understand the real world, instead of their pampered upper class childhoods.
Hopefully it helps motivate them to get out of their room to meet people and study hard, so they get a job that pays enough to afford a proper apartment someday.
A little discomfort is good for growth.

Anonymous wrote:There are so many things about college adjustment that are totally alien to me, since I was extremely independent. Cinderblock dorm room? No worries, at least I had my freedom. Shared bathroom? I had 4 brothers, so NBD. If you want your kid to be self-sufficient then let them deal with the dorms themselves. They’ll adjust and learn to deal. Unless you plan on subsidizing their living expenses for a decade, they will have many more small and crowded and old accomodations to come. And you knoenwhat? It’s FUN. Who among us didn’t live in a crazy group house? Live on a shoestring in an expensive, vibrant city? And if your kid aspires to a nicer home then well - great opportunity for them to set their sights on a career that will let them afford that sooner than later.

Anonymous wrote:This is the same mindset that leaves people to believe their college grads should never live at a standard of living less than their cushy umc life - buying them expensive condos and then houses, expensive cars etc.. gives the child no sense of accomplishment to build their lives their own way - also there is an aesthetic side to some of the better and more academic NE colleges where if it was too cushy it would go against the grain and tradition. Didn't OP look at the school when they applied?

Anonymous wrote:Dorms are usually spartan and lackluster. If possible it can be helpful to move out of dorms after 1-2 years.

But what's not acceptable is any kind of genuine health or safety concern - mold, exposed wiring, etc.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm a foreigner who has never had to live in a dorm (students either commute from home or rent apartments), and I do not encourage my kids to apply somewhere with a high risk of getting a tiny dysfunctional space. My oldest just moved into a nice single at GW... the doubles are a bit cramped, but the dorms are overall on the nicer side - renovated, A/C, amenities, etc. I am NOT paying these American prices for my kids to get poor quality sleep for 4 years. Comfort matters. And we live in a tiny, old house! But it's still comfortable and well laid-out.

I entirely reject the notion that discomfort is "part of the college experience". Not at those prices.

Couldn't agree with you more.

+1,000.

The cramped quarters into which the furniture barely fits, particularly if you don’t want the (dangerous) lofted bed with the desk ideally positioned to ram the student’s head against the metal bed frame when they stand up; the inadequate bathroom facilities; and the general run-downness are outrageous. Sure, people suck it up, because that is what you have to do to go to the college you otherwise want, but to excuse predatory university practices by calling them “the experience” or a “rite of passage” is preposterous. Universities have been compelled by consumer demand to accommodate all sorts of things — allergies, disabilities, learning differences, gender and sexual identities, to note only a few. How can they still be getting away with grossly overpriced and inadequate housing, not to mention (at least in many places) genuinely mediocre food at premium prices?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm a foreigner who has never had to live in a dorm (students either commute from home or rent apartments), and I do not encourage my kids to apply somewhere with a high risk of getting a tiny dysfunctional space. My oldest just moved into a nice single at GW... the doubles are a bit cramped, but the dorms are overall on the nicer side - renovated, A/C, amenities, etc. I am NOT paying these American prices for my kids to get poor quality sleep for 4 years. Comfort matters. And we live in a tiny, old house! But it's still comfortable and well laid-out.

I entirely reject the notion that discomfort is "part of the college experience". Not at those prices.

Couldn't agree with you more.

+1,000.

The cramped quarters into which the furniture barely fits, particularly if you don’t want the (dangerous) lofted bed with the desk ideally positioned to ram the student’s head against the metal bed frame when they stand up; the inadequate bathroom facilities; and the general run-downness are outrageous. Sure, people suck it up, because that is what you have to do to go to the college you otherwise want, but to excuse predatory university practices by calling them “the experience” or a “rite of passage” is preposterous. Universities have been compelled by consumer demand to accommodate all sorts of things — allergies, disabilities, learning differences, gender and sexual identities, to note only a few. How can they still be getting away with grossly overpriced and inadequate housing, not to mention (at least in many places) genuinely mediocre food at premium prices?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DD lived in a dorm with mold the entire year despite numerous calls to maintenance. She was always congested and sick with various symptoms and fine once she was home during school breaks. I understand about the small quarters, lack of closet space, etc., etc., however, mold should NOT be tolerated. This year, she lives in on-campus apt. with several other people and noticed mold as soon as she arrived. For the price of housing, this should be addressed especially for students with a hx of asthma and breathing issues.

What school? (This does not ID your child)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I'm a foreigner who has never had to live in a dorm (students either commute from home or rent apartments), and I do not encourage my kids to apply somewhere with a high risk of getting a tiny dysfunctional space. My oldest just moved into a nice single at GW... the doubles are a bit cramped, but the dorms are overall on the nicer side - renovated, A/C, amenities, etc. I am NOT paying these American prices for my kids to get poor quality sleep for 4 years. Comfort matters. And we live in a tiny, old house! But it's still comfortable and well laid-out.

I entirely reject the notion that discomfort is "part of the college experience". Not at those prices.

Couldn't agree with you more.