Students who’ve been accepted into graduate school often ask if they’ll be able to live on campus. At many schools, the answer is yes. Most large universities have housing specifically for graduate students, and many of these options are available at a lower rent than comparable off-campus apartments in the area.
Living on campus can be a great way to meet other graduate students and get involved in student life. It also saves you a morning and afternoon commute. This guide discusses the ins and outs of living on campus as a graduate student.
Table of Contents
- Can Graduate Students Live On Campus?
- Why Live On Campus as a Graduate Student
- Reasons Not to Live On Campus as a Graduate Student
- Can You Live On Campus as a Graduate Student? The Bottom Line
Can Graduate Students Live On Campus?
If you’re wondering if graduate students can live on campus, the answer is yes, most colleges and universities let graduate students live on campus and have specific housing set aside for them.
Graduate housing is typically apartment-style rather than dorm-style, and it usually features private bedrooms and semi-private bathrooms. Your graduate apartment will likely have a full kitchen, so you won’t be required to be on the university meal plan even if you live on campus. On-site parking is also usually available, though this might not be the case if you’re attending grad school in the middle of a large city like New York that isn’t car-friendly.
Living on campus can provide easy access to resources like the library and computer labs, and it can also help you feel more connected to your school as a graduate student. A common complaint among grad students is that it feels more like a job than a continuation of the college experience. Living on campus can make grad school more relaxed and enjoyable.
Why Live On Campus as a Graduate Student
If you’re headed to graduate school, you might wonder if living on campus is the right decision, especially if you’re coming from an undergraduate institution that required you to live on campus for most or all of your time there. You might feel like it’s time to move on and experience the independence and freedom that come with off-campus apartment living.
Although living on campus isn’t ideal for every graduate student, there are several reasons why you should consider it if your school allows it.
Living on campus gives you easy access to campus resources such as the library, the computer lab, your professors’ offices, the campus gym and recreation facilities, and a plethora of food options. It gives you a built-in support system of hundreds of other students. It allows you to have a grad school experience that feels more like a continuation of college than a 9-to-5 job. And, despite what you might fear, graduate students living on campus usually aren’t saddled with the same rules (e.g., visitation hours, alcohol restrictions) as undergrads in the dorms.
Access to Campus Resources
One of the biggest benefits to living on campus as a graduate student is that it gives you access to all the campus resources that can help you succeed in your studies.
The library is one of the most important resources on any college campus, especially when you’re a graduate student who’s likely conducting hours of research every week. When you live on campus, you have access to all the books and materials you need to do your research.
The career center is another valuable resource on campus. It can help you with your job search as you get close to graduation.
If you need any academic support at any point in your journey, there are always tutors and advisors available to help you out. It’s much easier to stop in for a quick visit or set an impromptu meeting when you live on campus than when you have to drive to school and hunt for parking.
Additional resources on campus that you might come to appreciate the convenience of having close by include computer labs, research labs, professors’ offices, dining halls, and other food options.
Access to a Built-In Support System
Living on campus gives you a built-in support system of friends and staff. The friends you make in your on-campus suite or apartment often become some of your closest friends in graduate school and even for the rest of your life.
The sense of community that you build with your fellow students can be helpful when it comes time to study for exams or during difficult personal times. These students, particularly those in the same program or field of study, can also form the beginning of your professional network, which can help you with jobs or business opportunities after graduation.
Additionally, the staff members who work in the campus housing system are there to help you with any issues or problems you may have. For instance, if your refrigerator breaks down or you have a parking issue, you don’t have to wait for a private landlord to call you back and deal with the problem. Campus housing services usually have staff members available 24/7.
Continuation of the College Experience
Living on campus lets you continue the college experience you had in your undergrad years, whereas getting an apartment off campus and commuting to grad school every morning often feels more like work.
How does living on campus give you more of a college experience than a 9-to-5 experience? For one, you’ll have easier access to all the amenities and resources your school has to offer. If you live off campus and have to commute to class every day, you’ll have to waste time travelling back and forth. You’ll also miss out on impromptu study sessions or meetings with classmates if you live off campus.
In addition, living on campus means that you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people who are also dedicated to their studies. This makes it easier to make friends and form study groups. It’s also easier to get involved in extracurricular activities when you live on campus. You’ll never miss an opportunity to meet new people or try new things when you live in the heart of campus life.
Reasons Not to Live On Campus as a Graduate Student
For many grad students, living on campus provides the ideal housing situation. It’s affordable and convenient, and it puts them in the middle of the social and academic scene. It also potentially cuts down on gas expenses and causes less wear and tear to their automobile, since they can park by their on-campus housing building and walk to class every day.
That said, on-campus living is not a great fit for every grad student. Many find it easier to live off campus and commute to class. Off-campus living has a number of benefits for graduate students. It can be cheaper than living in on-campus housing, and it gives students more freedom and flexibility in terms of their living arrangements. Additionally, off-campus living can help students feel more connected to the local community and build important social networks.
Off-Campus Housing Can Be Cheaper for Graduate Students
One of the main benefits of off-campus living is that it can be cheaper than on-campus housing. Graduate students often have tight budgets, and off-campus living can help them save money. Additionally, many graduate programs offer stipends or fellowships that can help offset the cost of rent.
Of course, off-campus living is not cheaper than university housing for graduate students at every school. It depends on the local rental market how it compares to the housing costs at a particular school. You should always compare on-campus versus off-campus rents apples to apples before making a decision.
Remember that the price of an on-campus apartment is usually all-inclusive, meaning it includes rent, utilities, cable, internet, and even furniture, while you’ll typically pay for these items a la carte in an off-campus apartment.
Off-Campus Housing Can Offer More Freedom and Flexibility
Another benefit of off-campus living is that it gives students more freedom and flexibility in terms of their living arrangements. Students who live off campus can choose to live alone or with roommates, and they are not restricted by university rules and regulations.
In an off-campus apartment, for instance, you can choose to room with a non-student if you want to, whereas on-campus housing is almost always restricted to students currently enrolled in school. Say you have a buddy from undergrad who is moving to the same city for work where you’ll be attending grad school. You can choose to live with that friend in an off-campus apartment.
Additionally, many universities still restrict roommates by gender, even for graduate students, though schools are rapidly loosening these policies. In an off-campus apartment, you won’t face any rules against rooming with someone of the opposite gender, including a significant other.
Off-Campus Housing Connects You to Your Local Community
Another major benefit of living off campus in graduate school is that it allows you to connect with your local community, potentially building valuable social and professional networks.
Living off campus gives you the opportunity to get to know your neighbors and build relationships with people who live near you. This can be a great way to feel more connected to your community and learn about different resources that are available to you. At some point, you’ll no longer be able to rely on the security of the campus bubble. Many people feel grad school is the right time to start becoming more self-sufficient.
In addition, living off campus can give you a sense of independence and responsibility. You’ll have to budget your own rent and utilities, and manage your own cleaning and cooking. But this can also be a great learning experience that will help you in the future.
Can You Live On Campus as a Graduate Student? The Bottom Line
Living on campus as a graduate student can be a great experience. It can provide you with opportunities to meet new people, get involved in campus life, and live close to your classes and resources. If you are considering living on campus, be sure to check out your options and see if it is the right fit for you.
