Can someone help me with this......

[WV_mom_of2]

For the last three years my dd has said she plans to attend a community college in the next town and live at home. Now, in her senior year she's starting to talk about maybe going away to a college where she would live in a dorm. She applied to a couple but hasn't totally made up her mind yet. I think she will end up at home but I don't want to be caught empty handed when it's time to go and she needs things for the dorm room, etc.

I'd like to start gathering things up now since money is tight for us(new, at thrift stores,etc.) but don't have much of a clue what she will need. Any ideas? We were in a LARGE university town this past summer on the week when the kids were moving in the dorm and the stores were packed with people buying things. I want to avoid that whole scene if possible!

Thanks!

[Debbie-cat]

My son will be attending this fall 450 miles from us in another country. I started making a lust of all the things he will be needing and I plan on watching for things all this year at Goodwill, garage sales, dollar stores, etc. For example, shampoo.... I figured he uses a bottle a month x 10 months so 10 bottles. I will pick one up here and there when I am getting regular groceries so the cost doesn't seem so much. I have a chart going so I can mark off things as I pick them up. Now granted he will be back at Christmas so he will not be taking every bottle when he goes in August but at least I have a chart going and it has helped me look at the big picture.

[Josephhgoins]

I can't help you with what she may need as all schools are different (i.e. some allow hot plates and fridges and others require you buy all your food from them).

But I will put a bug in your ear to put in hers. In my last job I was lucky enough to have some really well trained and reliable assistants. Two had identical degrees from Virginia Tech which was fairly local. Both spent about the same amount of time in school except one got her 2 year degree from the local Community College and then transfered to Tech. She saved thousands and thousands of dollars on this.

The end degree that her future employers will see was identical! Most employers won't even look at it, you say you have a degree and they go with it.

You may convince her that that her or your money is better spent elsewhere.

[WV_mom_of2]

[QUOTE=Josephhgoins;1300441]I can't help you with what she may need as all schools are different (i.e. some allow hot plates and fridges and others require you buy all your food from them).

But I will put a bug in your ear to put in hers. In my last job I was lucky enough to have some really well trained and reliable assistants. Two had identical degrees from Virginia Tech which was fairly local. Both spent about the same amount of time in school except one got her 2 year degree from the local Community College and then transfered to Tech. She saved thousands and thousands of dollars on this.

The end degree that her future employers will see was identical! Most employers won't even look at it, you say you have a degree and they go with it.[quote]

This is an option she's thinking about too. Maybe going to the community college for a year or so then transferring. My kids are both homebodies. She has only spent the night away from home one time except with my parents and my ds has never stayed away except with my parents. She is worried about being away from home, etc.

WV has a thing called the Promise Scholarship. It requires students to earn so many credits in certain subjects, maintain a certain average and then make certain scores in each subject on the SAT and a certain score overall(or higher) to qualify. She has done all that and the last time I looked she would get almost 4800.00 a year for that. That would pretty much pay her tutition at the CC.

I was thinking along the lines of things like towels, sheets, etc. She will have to supply those for herself right?

[mombottoo]

Personally I wouldn't put out money for stuff for a dorm room unless you know for sure there is going to be a dorm room

But, if you really want to maybe you could contact an admissions office & ask them if they have a list for suggested items.

[Greebo]

First - how is it going to be paid for?

All else being equal, if she borrows money for college, she will graduate FAR WORSE OFF financially than if she works her way through school, EVEN if it takes her 2x as long to graduate.

I've done the math here before if you want to see it...

[Debbie-cat]

DShse to supply his own towels, sheets etc. His dorm room supplies bed, chair, dresser, desk, phone. The cost includes a full meal plan but he is taking a dorm fridge (already has) and microwave for when he wants a snack at night. His Internet, phone, heat, electricity are also included. He is nervous as he too is a real homebody but he is ready to go.

[Telephus44]

I just wanted to add, to get back to the original question of what would you take for a college dorm room, not whether or not she should go to a 4 year or 2 year and transfer, how much it will cost, debt incurred, blah blah blah...

Medicine. That's what I remember needing most. When you're a broke college student, forking over $5 for some cold medicine or cough medicine when you're really sick is hard. Get some aspririn, bandaids, etc.

[WV_mom_of2]

First - how is it going to be paid for?

All else being equal, if she borrows money for college, she will graduate FAR WORSE OFF financially than if she works her way through school, EVEN if it takes her 2x as long to graduate.

I've done the math here before if you want to see it...

Greebo I know how much you love to help people but honestly I'm just looking for info on what she might need for a dorm room right now. She should qualify for more than enough scholarships to get her through, especially if she goes to the community college. She will also be working at least part time, no matter where she goes.

[shoiji]

Try just stocking up on personal care items, towels, sheets, a foot locker is always useful especially it if locks, paper, pencil. All items that you normally would stock up on and that will not go to waste.

You could also try and have her stick to a budget right now. If she is working, you could help her figure one out. For things like, snacks, transportation, unexpected school supplies, washer and dryer machines, etc. This may also help her determine if she goes to a community college then a 4 year college.

[Libby]

Most schools here (college/university) hold an annual garage sale in the spring when the school gears down for summer. People who lived on campus don't want to tote their furniture home so they just leave it. The schools sell it off vs throwing it away/recycling. HUGE bargains to be had!!! (a gf furnished her downtown apt for $175 by going to the sale). Furniture ranges from shelving/desks & file cabinets - all sizes, couches/love seats, tv units, fridges, microwaves, housewares etc. All the stuff came from the dorms so its already dorm room sized

If possible, find out what the school will provide and what you are responsible for and then check out these sales. Its open to the public and listed in the major newspapers.

I agree with DC - take stock of what she uses now re: HBA and school supplies and try to have those on hand for when she goes, if she goes

[Greebo]

Greebo I know how much you love to help people but honestly I'm just looking for info on what she might need for a dorm room right now. She should qualify for more than enough scholarships to get her through, especially if she goes to the community college. She will also be working at least part time, no matter where she goes.

Well the thing is, I was just going to say, "She needs a job" for that dorm room - but I thought you might already have that covered.

[monkeywrangler71]

A laundry bag and a mesh or waterproof bag for toiletries that you can take into the shower with you. Sheets, towels, personal care items, waterproof shoes for the shower.

They probably don't need typewriters anymore

[WV_mom_of2]

Well the thing is, I was just going to say, "She needs a job" for that dorm room - but I thought you might already have that covered.

Yep we have that covered LOL. I firmly believe in kids working. She has had a part time after school job for two school years now and also works in the summer. We've already told her that she will be working at least part time while going to college to help pay for expenses. I don't believe in paying for kids to go to college. I think they will appreciate it more if they earn that degree in more ways than one!

[bears3]

Most important thing with living in a dorm is space. Remember under bed containers. Most dorms provide bed, dresser, closet(small) and desk. Most dorms allow tv's, small refrigerators and microwaves. Most colleges give you the info on your roommate before you move in. So you can talk to each other and see who has what. When I went to college my roommate and I made alist and brought stuff. She brought the frig and microwave. I brought the tv, vcr/dvd. We both had our own computers and printers. We shared some books different semesters sense we were group in dorms by majors.

Our closets only fit a small amount of clothes. So I only brought close for the season. Took that home in tubs and brought back the other season when I went home for breaks.