Finding Housing for College-Bound Students

One of the biggest questions you have as a student (and your parents too) is ‘Where will I be living next year?” This is a big decision. Be sure to explore all your options. Check out the housing choices on campus. Learn which choices are available to you.

Housing Styles

Traditional Residence Halls:  This the typical, two students to a room, long hallway dorm, with a shared bathroom between several people. This is usually the most common option for incoming freshman.

• Suite Style: These residence halls have more of an apartment feel. Several students share a common living and kitchen area, with bedrooms sharing bathrooms. Often more available to upperclassmen, some colleges offer these to freshmen.

• Apartment Style:  Built as student apartments students share.  Usually for upper-classmen or married students.

Themed Communities

• Living/learning communities. Many colleges offer themed living communities.. It can be honors, particular majors, language or cultural based, or communities based on life style commitments: green living or substance free.

• First Year Experience. Often in addition to housing together, classes are offered for first year students to take together. Living in first year experience housing gives students opportunity to learn and grow together.

Other considerations

Meal Plans: How is the meal plan handled? Do you get extra dollars to use in the coffee shop or student market? What happens on the weekend for meals?  Are you required to have a meal plan for the style living you choose?

Gender housing  Are there single sex dorms? Single-sex floors?  Transgender friendly housing? Single sex rooms (with both genders in rooms next to each other?) Unisex rooms? How are the bathrooms set up? What will make you comfortable? Uncomfortable?

Alcohol and Drug policies. Be sure to ask about party rules, for you and guests. Is it a dry campus? All campuses follow the legal age for drinking.

Security. How secure is the housing? Do you have to have ID to get inside the building? What other security measures are in place? Can you have guests? What are the restrictions for guests?

Check online for each college’s housing options. Make a choice and mark your choice in your discussion notes on Smartsheet!