This is a question that a lot of our student-athletes are currently faced with, as they are in the process of registering for their dorm room or apartment for this coming school year. While every school handles housing slightly different and your housing situation might vary depending on your age and school year, there are some similarities that typically apply to all student athletes.
First of all, it does most likely make a difference if you come in as a regular 18-year freshman, an older freshman, or if you are a transfer student. Most schools make it mandatory for new students to live in dorms on campus, especially if they are 18. Some universities might have apartments on campus for incoming freshman, but most of the time, it will be a dormitory where you will share a room with one roommate. Now, if you are a transfer student, for example someone coming from a junior or community college, or if you are an older incoming freshman, the university might also give you the option of living off campus. That really depends on the school though and what its policies are.
One thing to keep in mind though when choosing your housing option, is that distances in America can be very big, which means that getting to campus without a car can sometimes be a bit of an issue. So if you don’t plan on buying a car straight away, maybe living on campus will make the most sense in year 1.
Now, once you make it through your first year of college, you typically will then have the option of staying on campus or moving off campus with some of your teammates or friends. Most student-athletes typically pick the second option because it is usually cheaper and it gives you a bit more space and freedom. But don’t worry, if you prefer the convenience of being right on campus where you can walk to your classes, that option should still be there as well.
As always, we are there to help you every step of the way. So if you are unsure about which housing option to pick, reach out to us and we will consult you and help you make the best possible decision. As you can see, there are usually pros and cons to both options (on and off campus), so very often it can be a matter of personal preference. However, we are there to guide you through this process of picking what is best for you, so you can have an amazing college experience!