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It does really depend on where you go to school. At my school it's about 50/50. Such a big percentage that we have a special office and department dedicated specifically to commuter students. I'm a commuter myself and I love it. With tuition and car expenses it's going to be about $10,000 for the year as opposed to $20,000 had I decided to dorm. The choice was very obvious for my parents and I to decide, especially if $10,000 can be saved. I'm not one bit sad that I won't be dorming. I've had the experience of dorming before, but never again. Plus, when my peers and I graduate I won't be in nearly as much debt as most of them will be, so I look at this as a positive too.
I'm surprised as well that you're not able to live on campus considering you say your finances aren't the best. Have you exhausted all of your options? Definitely talk with the financial aid department at school and figure out all of your options if you haven't already. If you're really set on dorming then try your best to make it happen and do what's best for yourself. If you need to commute for the first semester I don't think it will be the end of the world. I promise that I don't think you're abnormal for commuting if it helps at all
Where do you go to school that room and board is $20,000??
With tuition and car expenses it's going to be about $10,000 for the year as opposed to $20,000 had I decided to dorm. The choice was very obvious for my parents and I to decide, especially if $10,000 can be saved. I'm not one bit sad that I won't be dorming. I've had the experience of dorming before, but never again. Plus, when my peers and I graduate I won't be in nearly as much debt as most of them will be, so I look at this as a positive too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by golfgal
Where do you go to school that room and board is $20,000??
I'm reading that as $10,000 for tuition and $10,000 for room and board for the entire year.
Where our son is going to school, freshmen are required to be on campus unless you submit to them a reason for not needing to - which I believe can only be that you are "x" amount of miles from home. If we had chosen that route we would have qualified, but our son's personality, etc..... it would not have been good for him to be at home. He needs to get away.
We also sat in on a panel where a few engineering students had opted to live at home and after a month asked to move on to campus - it was too hard to not be right there.
Tuition:$8,500/yr
Dorm Room: $9,500/yr
Basic meal plan: $1,500/yr
Items for dorm: $500.00
Total: $20,000/yr as opposed to $10,000/yr commuting. This is where the extra $10,000 comes from in the expenses.
I hope this makes a little more sense.
Last edited by writingmachine; 08-13-2012 at 06:12 PM..
Tuition:$8,500/yr
Dorm Room: $9,500/yr
Basic meal plan: $1,500/yr
Items for dorm: $500.00
Total: $20,000/yr as opposed to $10,000/yr commuting. This is where the extra $10,000 comes from in the expenses.
I hope this makes a little more sense.
I see your numbers now but how accurate are they. If you figure just gas, your numbers show you will drive a total of 40 miles/month--are you sure that is all you will pay in "car expenses"? Do you not plan to eat at home? How about electric bills, etc. Commuting usually isn't that much less expensive then living on campus if you figure in all the costs. I know when our last 2 go off to college out food bill alone will get cut in half, not to mention water, electric costs, etc.
As for the "items for the dorm". YOu probably have everything you need at home so that is $500 you don't need to spend. I would run the numbers again and include wear and tear on the car, extra oil changes, tires, etc.
I see your numbers now but how accurate are they. If you figure just gas, your numbers show you will drive a total of 40 miles/month--are you sure that is all you will pay in "car expenses"? Do you not plan to eat at home? How about electric bills, etc. Commuting usually isn't that much less expensive then living on campus if you figure in all the costs. I know when our last 2 go off to college out food bill alone will get cut in half, not to mention water, electric costs, etc.
As for the "items for the dorm". YOu probably have everything you need at home so that is $500 you don't need to spend. I would run the numbers again and include wear and tear on the car, extra oil changes, tires, etc.
A good midway alternative is getting an apartment close to campus and cooking your own meals. Dorm room/board is often quite expensive.
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