Wesleyan University - Off-Campus Housing

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

All freshmen are required to live on campus, and about 94 percent of students live on campus all four years. Because the University owns so many of the surrounding buildings, a group of seniors can live in an huge old house blocks away from campus while still technically being in campus housing. The few people who do live in off-campus housing fall into two categories: frat brothers who want to live in their fraternities (some of which are not owned by the University, and therefore constitute off-campus housing), and the few juniors and seniors who were unhappy with their housing options and wanted to live elsewhere.

While the rent in off-campus housing is somewhat cheaper than paying room and board at the University, the University does not encourage students to live elsewhere, and makes a big fuss over letting students live in off-campus housing. But really, off-campus housing has very little to offer that University houses don’t. And most people prefer to have the University as their landlord, and not have to deal with leases and the like. Plus, when you live in a wood-frame, the University shovels your driveway in the winter and fixes your pipes if they break, but other than that leaves you alone. You have to take out your own trash and recycling, and clean up your own messes. A lot like living on your own, with a few added bonuses.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Go for off-campus housing if you... Go for off-campus housing if you can get it. Try to give yourself a balance. With the dorms you get sort of a typical college experience, but it’s great to move away from campus with your buddies during your junior year. That’s what I did, and it was phenomenal. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

The housing system at Wesleyan is... The housing system at Wesleyan is a little screwy. When it comes time to choose housing for the upcoming year, there’s an extremely complicated process everyone has to go through involving online registration and grouping and all this other stuff that makes you want to pull your hair out. It’s sort of a crap shoot. Some people end up with good housing and some don’t. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

If you can get into a program... If you can get into a program house, do it. Dorms are great, but I had my fill after freshman year. Program houses are actual houses with kitchens and bedrooms and everything. If you can get a house with some friends, you’ve got it made. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Ninety percent of the student body... Ninety percent of the student body lives in University- owned housing, and this ranges from dorms to old Victorian houses three blocks away from campus. If you want to actually rent your own apartment (one that isn’t already owned by the school), you have to do it by special request, and there’s all sorts of red tape involved. They really want you to live in the University housing all four years. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

It’s pretty easy to get off-campus... It’s pretty easy to get off-campus housing if you want it, and most people after sophomore year get it. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

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