Hello!
So Im deciding between Brown College and IRC and maybe Gooch/Dillard. However, Im confused as to how the pricing for the room and meal plan works.
I understand that I will probably have to pay $900-$1,000 more if i go to a Residential College, especially Brown College. Is it worth paying that much? Also, if we are accepted to Brown College, are we, as first years, required to go?
If Im unable to get enough scholarships to pay off the couple grand i have to pay, I probably cant afford a Residential College or anything over the standard room cost for that matter. I think I know the answer but still want to ask: Is there financial aid help in terms of rooming?
If you are accepted to a residential college, you may decline the offer if you wish.
I’m not sure where you’re getting the $1000 figure from. If you live in Brown College, you will have to pay an additional activities fee of about $100 per year. You will also need to buy a Brown College meal plan - so compare the costs:
The regular All Access 7 meal plan (very common first year plan) costs $2425/semester
The Brown College All Access 7 meal plan costs $2480/semester
So add up Brown’s activities fee and the difference in meal plan costs, and you’ll see that living in Brown would cost about $210 extra per year.
“First Year students may apply to live in one of the three residential college programs, or they may live in the First Year Program. Assignments to any of the facilities within each program are made on a random basis, and First Year students pay the same rate ($5865 for academic year 2016-17) regardless of which residence area they live in or whether they are assigned to a single, double or triple room.”
The housing rates do vary for transfer students from building to building, so for them there may be a price difference.
As quoted above, the first years all pay the same housing rate.
I’m personally surprised that the first year housing cost would be the same for a single, double or triple. Most colleges charge much less for a triple and more for a single.