Dorms: The True Hollywood Story

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On-Campus Housing Options

Most likely, your child will live in a dorm his first year(s) of college. Many colleges require it. Even if your child's school allows the option of living off-campus, it's a good idea for him to live in the dorms for at least a year.

The dorms can help jump-start your child's social life, ease the transition to life on his own, and introduce your child to a diverse group of people. Living in a dorm can have its drawbacks—no privacy, crowded bathrooms, weird roommates. But most students find that the rewards outweigh the frustrations.

If you didn't have the experience of living in a dorm, or even if you did, you may be surprised by the wide range of dorm choices most colleges offer their students. Not to mention the freedom that students have, even while living on campus. Your child should be able to find a place that feels as comfortable as home, even without you there to yell about picking up that dirty laundry off the bedroom floor!

Types of Dorms

In the summer before his first year at college, your child may be asked if he wants to live in a special dorm or on a special floor.

Every school has different housing options, but here are some of the most common:

Single-Sex Dorms

Some colleges require all first-year students to live in a single-sex dorm. These types of dorms may have restrictions concerning guests of the opposite sex.

Chemical- or Substance-Free Dorms

These dorms prohibit smoking, drinking, and drugs. If this jibes with your child's lifestyle choices, he should consider living in one. The upside to substance-free dorms is that your child doesn't have to worry about his roommate throwing a wild party. However, your child should be aware that the penalties for getting caught with alcohol or drugs in these dorms may be harsh.

Special-Interest or Theme Housing

At these dorms, your child will meet students who share his interests. For example, there may be a dorm for international students or music majors. One risk is that your child may miss out on meeting a more diverse group of people.

Types of Rooms

Most dorm housing consists of either a room off of a hallway, or a suite with one or more bedrooms and a living room. In most cases, your child will be sharing a bathroom with many other people on his floor or hallway. The bathrooms may be single-sex or coed.

Singles

It's pretty rare to get a single as a first-year student. Having a single has its obvious perks, but there are some negatives as well. A roommate can be a welcome companion, especially those first few weeks. Plus, in a single your child will have to foot all the expenses.

Doubles

A double—sharing a bedroom with one other person—is by far the most common setup at most schools. Your child and his roommate can decide how to set up the room. Bunk beds may provide some extra space.

Suites

This is a nice option if your child can get it. Suites usually consist of a couple of bedrooms and some kind of shared living space. For instance, a quad (four people) might be made up of two double bedrooms and one common room. Your child gets the best of both worlds with this option; he can go into the bedroom to sleep, while a roommate studies or talks on the phone in the common room.