Fantastic Dorms and Where to Find Them
Dorms are often the go-to place for freshmen, and there's a good reason why. With great locations ON campus, meal plans, security, and living contracts that revolve around the school calendar, they're a great place to begin life at UT. I even stayed in the same dorm and same room for two years!
PROS
Dorms, particularly those on campus, have the best locations, which is ideal for freshmen learning their way around. There's nothing better than rolling out of bed 30 minutes before class and still getting there with time to spare (try not to do that too much, though). Most dorms have eating places nearby, with some dorms even having cafeterias and mini grocery stores. (Click here to learn more about Eating at UT).
Which brings me to my next point: a housing contract includes a meal contract: $1500 in Dine-in Dollars (which can be used at any UT cafeteria) and $300 in Bevo Bucks (which can be used on several on- and off-campus eating places). If you plan your meals right and don't engage in wasteful spending, it is very possible to stretch your meal money for the entire year.
Speaking of money, you don't have to pay any additional bills besides the housing bill! It is a pain every month when you live in an apartment and have to worry about rent, water, electricity, cable, and internet bills. If you live in a dorm, you don't have to worry about all of that!
In addition, UT dorms are some of the safest places to live in Austin. All dorms require a swipe of your UT ID to enter, and if you arrive after a certain time at night you must check-in at the front desk to verify you match your ID picture. UT makes a huge effort to make sure its students are safe and secure in their dorms without any weirdos coming in. (Even then, it is still important to exercise caution, check out the SAFETY page). Additionally, study spaces are abundant within the dorms if you ever need a quiet place outside of your own room.
The dorms are often populated with other freshmen, so everyone will be in the same boat as you. Most dorms also have monthly socials, games, and events where you can meet other students and learn new skills to help you get through your first year of college.
CONS
However, with great benefits come great costs. On-campus dorms have skyrocketed in price just in the past few years.
When you're paying for a dorm, you're definitely NOT paying for space. Most dorm rooms are less than 300 sq. ft., which you will share with someone else. Yes, single dorm rooms are available, but these are extremely rare and are reserved for upperclassmen and RA's. It would take nothing short of a miracle to get a single space as a freshman.
Summary:
ARE DORMS RIGHT FOR ME?
First things first, are you receiving any non-local scholarships (i.e. directly from UT, large organizations, donors, etc.)? Many scholarships, particularly from UT, require that you live in an on-campus dorm your first two years at UT.
NEXT STEPS
Choose a dorm!
On-campus
San Jacinto - where I lived by first two years at UT. One of the nicer dorms on campus with private bathrooms, San Jac is also one of the quieter ones. Its residents are pretty reserved, so you won't find much socializing here. It's full of good, quiet study spaces, and has a tasty food cafe downstairs. Plus, it's right down the street from the conveniences of Jester, AND is right across the street from DKR Texas Memorial Stadium. What's not to love? (Hint: the price).
PROS
- Location! Location! Location!
- Money for food
- No electricity/water/cable bills
- Security
- Academic environment
- Good for meeting other freshmen
- Generally quiet
Dorms, particularly those on campus, have the best locations, which is ideal for freshmen learning their way around. There's nothing better than rolling out of bed 30 minutes before class and still getting there with time to spare (try not to do that too much, though). Most dorms have eating places nearby, with some dorms even having cafeterias and mini grocery stores. (Click here to learn more about Eating at UT).
Which brings me to my next point: a housing contract includes a meal contract: $1500 in Dine-in Dollars (which can be used at any UT cafeteria) and $300 in Bevo Bucks (which can be used on several on- and off-campus eating places). If you plan your meals right and don't engage in wasteful spending, it is very possible to stretch your meal money for the entire year.
Speaking of money, you don't have to pay any additional bills besides the housing bill! It is a pain every month when you live in an apartment and have to worry about rent, water, electricity, cable, and internet bills. If you live in a dorm, you don't have to worry about all of that!
In addition, UT dorms are some of the safest places to live in Austin. All dorms require a swipe of your UT ID to enter, and if you arrive after a certain time at night you must check-in at the front desk to verify you match your ID picture. UT makes a huge effort to make sure its students are safe and secure in their dorms without any weirdos coming in. (Even then, it is still important to exercise caution, check out the SAFETY page). Additionally, study spaces are abundant within the dorms if you ever need a quiet place outside of your own room.
The dorms are often populated with other freshmen, so everyone will be in the same boat as you. Most dorms also have monthly socials, games, and events where you can meet other students and learn new skills to help you get through your first year of college.
CONS
However, with great benefits come great costs. On-campus dorms have skyrocketed in price just in the past few years.
When you're paying for a dorm, you're definitely NOT paying for space. Most dorm rooms are less than 300 sq. ft., which you will share with someone else. Yes, single dorm rooms are available, but these are extremely rare and are reserved for upperclassmen and RA's. It would take nothing short of a miracle to get a single space as a freshman.
Summary:
- High cost
- Small space
- Tough to get preferred choice
- Roommate
ARE DORMS RIGHT FOR ME?
First things first, are you receiving any non-local scholarships (i.e. directly from UT, large organizations, donors, etc.)? Many scholarships, particularly from UT, require that you live in an on-campus dorm your first two years at UT.
NEXT STEPS
Choose a dorm!
On-campus
San Jacinto - where I lived by first two years at UT. One of the nicer dorms on campus with private bathrooms, San Jac is also one of the quieter ones. Its residents are pretty reserved, so you won't find much socializing here. It's full of good, quiet study spaces, and has a tasty food cafe downstairs. Plus, it's right down the street from the conveniences of Jester, AND is right across the street from DKR Texas Memorial Stadium. What's not to love? (Hint: the price).
Duren - Very similar to San Jac, but on the opposite side of campus. Ideal for communications and most engineering majors due to location, though it is quite far from everything else.
Jester - the king of dorms. Seriously, it's one of the largest residence halls in America! Legend has it that at one time it even had its own zip code! Jester is also the king of conveniences. It's got two dining halls, a tiny grocery store, Wendy's, a coffee shop, a smoothie shop, a tutoring center, AND is right across the street from one of the largest academic libraries in North America (the Perry-Castaneda Library, or the PCL) AND right across the street from Gregory Gym. Jester is divided into two distinct sections: Jester West and Jester East. Though once segregated by gender (Jester East used to be all-male, hence the "M" in all room numbers), Jester is through and through a co-ed dorm. If you like socializing, Jester is the place for you.
While these are the most popular dorms, there are many more to choose from! Click here to explore the rest!
Off-campus dorms
Dobie - I think it's safe to say Dobie is by far the largest and most popular off-campus dorm. It's extremely close to campus, has a food court, and a pretty nice view. Everyone that I know who's lived here LOVED it. (Just don't believe them when they tell you there's a "mall" there; they're LYING). Also, the elevator takes forever sometimes.
Off-campus dorms
Dobie - I think it's safe to say Dobie is by far the largest and most popular off-campus dorm. It's extremely close to campus, has a food court, and a pretty nice view. Everyone that I know who's lived here LOVED it. (Just don't believe them when they tell you there's a "mall" there; they're LYING). Also, the elevator takes forever sometimes.
Of course there's other places, but I don't know enough about them. The best way to pick a place? VISIT THEM! Oh, and talk with the residents! Are these the type of people you want to live with?
Apartment Living: The First Big Step to Adulthood
My beautiful apartment building.
A small disclaimer: I do NOT recommend living in an apartment until after you have spent at least one year in a dorm (on or off campus).
So maybe you aren't about that small space life. Or, maybe you're just tired of being surrounded by wide-eyed freshmen who want everyone to know they have a social life and have way too much energy. Yeah, maybe you're done with the dorm life, and you're ready to move on to something new: your own apartment.
Apartment searching is a tricky business. Here's a guide to choosing a place:
1.) Location. What area of town do you want to live?
West Campus - Within walking distance of campus. Lots of conveniences, but also lots of commotion. Pretty expensive. Average age group: Juniors and Seniors.
Riverside - Very far from campus, so you would need transportation (there are plenty of buses). Fairly cheap, but also not a very safe neighborhood (every person I know who's lived there had a house break-in). Average age group: Sophomores and Juniors.
North Campus - Not necessarily within walking distance, but there are buses. Generally quieter than other places. No dorms, just mostly apartments, condos, and houses you can rent. Mostly cheaper than West Campus, but more expensive than Riverside. Average age group: Seniors and Grad students.
2.) Know what you want. Find a good realtor and describe exactly what you need:
What's your budget?
Free parking? What about for guests?
Appliances? (washing machine, dryer, fridge, etc.)
Security? (Locked gates, lots of lighting, etc.)
How many rooms? Bathrooms? Shower or bath tub?
3.) VISIT THE PLACE!!!! You have no idea how many times people have moved into a place without ever seeing it! Pictures lie (or lack thereof. Seriously, go to the Dobie official website and find ONE picture of their "mall". Hint: there ain't any). Before you make any decision, check it out! Talk to the tenants. Ask them EVERYTHING (how's the cell phone signal, crime, landlord, maintenance, any problems, etc.).
So maybe you aren't about that small space life. Or, maybe you're just tired of being surrounded by wide-eyed freshmen who want everyone to know they have a social life and have way too much energy. Yeah, maybe you're done with the dorm life, and you're ready to move on to something new: your own apartment.
Apartment searching is a tricky business. Here's a guide to choosing a place:
1.) Location. What area of town do you want to live?
West Campus - Within walking distance of campus. Lots of conveniences, but also lots of commotion. Pretty expensive. Average age group: Juniors and Seniors.
Riverside - Very far from campus, so you would need transportation (there are plenty of buses). Fairly cheap, but also not a very safe neighborhood (every person I know who's lived there had a house break-in). Average age group: Sophomores and Juniors.
North Campus - Not necessarily within walking distance, but there are buses. Generally quieter than other places. No dorms, just mostly apartments, condos, and houses you can rent. Mostly cheaper than West Campus, but more expensive than Riverside. Average age group: Seniors and Grad students.
2.) Know what you want. Find a good realtor and describe exactly what you need:
What's your budget?
Free parking? What about for guests?
Appliances? (washing machine, dryer, fridge, etc.)
Security? (Locked gates, lots of lighting, etc.)
How many rooms? Bathrooms? Shower or bath tub?
3.) VISIT THE PLACE!!!! You have no idea how many times people have moved into a place without ever seeing it! Pictures lie (or lack thereof. Seriously, go to the Dobie official website and find ONE picture of their "mall". Hint: there ain't any). Before you make any decision, check it out! Talk to the tenants. Ask them EVERYTHING (how's the cell phone signal, crime, landlord, maintenance, any problems, etc.).
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4.) BEFORE YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT, ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
How much is will the rent be per month?
When will rent be due?
What does the deposit cover?
What does the rent cover? Does it cover electricity, water, etc.?
What type of maintenance is the landlord responsible for? For example, if the air conditioner breaks, will he or she come fix it and take the cost out of the deposit, or will he or she tell us we're on our own?
If you're uncomfortable about the contract and want legal advice about what exactly you are getting into, remember that UT has FREE legal services for students! They can help with housing matters, as well as help with any other trouble you get yourself in (please try not to get in trouble).
How much is will the rent be per month?
When will rent be due?
What does the deposit cover?
What does the rent cover? Does it cover electricity, water, etc.?
What type of maintenance is the landlord responsible for? For example, if the air conditioner breaks, will he or she come fix it and take the cost out of the deposit, or will he or she tell us we're on our own?
If you're uncomfortable about the contract and want legal advice about what exactly you are getting into, remember that UT has FREE legal services for students! They can help with housing matters, as well as help with any other trouble you get yourself in (please try not to get in trouble).