<p>We sent our kid off for a semester abroad with one 44 lb. suitcase, and it was ok. I think that people tend to substantially overestimate the amount of stuff from home that will be needed and will fit in a typical shared dorm room. Bed, Bath & Beyond offers a service where you can choose stuff at a local store and then arrange to pick it up at the store nearest your school. Target in our area actually runs a bus between the dorms and the Target to facilitate kids buying what they need. When people start mentioning stuffed mini-vans and U-hauls, I begin to wonder how big they think that dorm room will be?</p>