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Should I live on-campus?

I was recently accepted into University of California Santa Barbara and room and board is very expensive. Should I live on-campus or find an apartment elsewhere? #college #college-advice #college-bound

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Rachel’s Answer

I think that there are significant benefits to living on campus for at least one year. College is expensive regardless of where you live. Forgoing the experience of living on campus may not be the best place to save.
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Yvonne’s Answer

Hi Matthew,


Congratulations on your college acceptance! Many schools require Freshmen students to live on campus. Generally, I would think it is better to live on campus during your first year of college just because it is easier to meet new people similar to your age and you'll bound to make lasting social connections living in a community. This is especially helpful for students who just left home and are living independently for the first time. In addition, living on campus just makes attending events or club activities easier since there is little to no commute to the events held on campus. However, if you could not afford to live on campus, living off campus might be another option for you. But you'll have to be looking for roommates on your own and making decision on how far away from campus you are going to live, how are you going to commute to your classes, how are you going to pay your bills, things like that. I would do some research on the rent, bills and commuting fees on area not too far away from your campus and do a pros and cons analysis on it.


Furthermore, you will most likely have access to the dining halls on campus if you choose to live on campus. Most schools still allow you to get into the dining halls after you pay but it is usually less expensive to make your own food. You might need to learn how to cook/budget for eating out if you decide not to eat at the dining halls.


Good luck!

Yvonne recommends the following next steps:

Do some research on the estimate cost of living off campus
Compare it to the total cost of living on campus
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Richard’s Answer

Transition to college can be very difficult. The combination living on your own for the first time with the challenges of school can be very difficult. The dorm offers a bit of a bufffer. You won't have to shop for food, cook, pay bills etc. The dorm allows you to focus on your studies.
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