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Walter

Chandler Walter
Mrs.Bryner
English 12 / period 1
04 September 2016
The Next Step
Introduction

Deciding what you want for dinner tonight is a tough decision, but choosing

which college you will attend for the next four years of your life is a whole new level
of difficulty. Luckily, I have already made that decision a couple years ago. In 2017, I
will be enrolled at the University of Utah, where I will be playing softball and
earning my degree in Engineering. Now the next part of choosing an out of state
college is deciding whether I will live on campus or at a nearby apartment.
Housing Information

There are many factors when deciding to live in a dorm or an apartment. A

dorm and an apartment both have amenities that I would benefit from, but the
expenses are the push or pull factor that would influence my option.
On Campus Housing

The cost of room and board at the University of Utah is $9,000. Of those

$9,000, $4,642 is for housing and the remaining $4,358 includes meals. Since I
would be staying at the University, the facilities would be open for use. These
include, pools inside and outside, hot tubs, an indoor running track, a climbing wall,
fitness center, fire pit, sports courts, and a combative room. As a result of staying in

a dorm I would not need to drive to school, therefore my transportation money


needed will decrease from the estimated cost. http://housing.utah.edu/

Dorm Picture
Apartment Housing

Instead of living in a dorm, an apartment is a more private option. Shadow

Mountain is an apartment complex that is near the University of Utah. The cost is
about $785 a month. For a years rent it would be $9,420 and that total does not
include meals. This room includes one bedroom and one bathroom. There is a
washer and dryer, street parking, a pool, a dishwasher, air conditioning, and a
fitness room. A bus stop is also right outside if I choose not to drive. Unfortunately,
animals are welcomed here and although I love dogs, I do not want to wake up at 2
Oclock in the morning due to barking. I would however have a kitchen and living
room that I would share with the family living next door.
https://www.offcampushousing.utah.edu/property/view/listingid/31335

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Floor plan Outside view
Data
Housing Expenses For 12

months

Apartment

On Campus

Rent

4642

9420

Meals

4358

4358

Books and Supplies

1006

1006

Other

3574

3574

13580

18358

TOTAL


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Housing Cost Comparison

On Campus
Apartment



Housing Reflection

The pie chart compares the living expenses of living on campus versus an

apartment. In the table, the total amount of living on campus is cheaper than living
in an apartment. This is because at the Shadow Mountain Apartment complex, I
would be living alone. However, at the dorm I would share a room with another
student splitting the cost in two. Even if I were to share the apartment, the dorm
would still be the cost efficient option. Therefore, I would most likely choose a dorm.
Financial Plan

The expenses for college are extremely high, and that is why it is important

to choose the most affordable yet reasonable option. As displayed in the table above,
books and supplies alone cost an average of $1,006. Additional costs include
housing, food, transportation and more. Finally, to top all of that off, you have to pay
that amount each year for four years.

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Estimated Expenses

After researching the total amount it costs to live on campus or at an

apartment, I decided to live on campus. There are so many amenities that I will
benefit from by living at the University of Utah. These amenities include the fitness
room, swimming pools, and an indoor track for when it snows or rains outside. It
was not just about the dollar amount but the experience of living in a dorm with
another student. I want to live close to school to save money on gas and parking. All
these assets that come with living in a dorm are what persuaded me to choose living
on campus.
Estimated Income

One source of income includes my scholarship to play softball at the

University of Utah. I am also trying to earn an academic scholarship through my


grade point average and ACT score. My family is paying the rest of the cost
themselves and to make the expenses affordable, I am applying for in-state tuition.
In-state tuition will make the total payment decrease significantly so my parents
will not need to pay as much. I will not have enough time in college to maintain a
job, as softball has taken over that role.
Data
ITEM
Tuition

EXPENSE
25057

Books/Supplies

1006

Room/Board

9000

Transportation

1500

Cell Phone

180

Personal Expenses

5100

Travel

500

TOTAL

42343


ITEM
Parents
Student Loans
Scholarship

INCOME
15000
2000
10585.75

Gifts

1500

Other

750

TOTAL

29835.75

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Series 1
45000
40000
35000
30000
25000
Series 1

20000
15000
10000
5000
0
Expenses

Income


Financial Plan Reflection

The difference in cost between expenses versus income is $12507.25. I

learned that I will need to apply for many other scholarships to try and earn the rest
of the money. Depending on what score I receive on my ACT, I could earn another
scholarship academically. It is going to take dedication and discipline to make up the
difference between expenses and income.
Conclusion
Discovering all this research has helped me decide to live in a dorm at the
University of Utah instead of at an apartment nearby. The total amount of money
was less expensive to live in a dorm and there were many amenities that were
beneficial to me. I also learned all the factors that need to be paid for in college. For
example, transportation, travel, cell phone, and many more. I was shocked after

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finding out the grand total of my college expenses in comparison to my income. I


will need to earn more scholarships to help my income reach the amount needed.
College is about making the right choices and after conducting all this research I
know I made the right decision.


















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Works Cited
"Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records." Arizona State Library,

Archives and Public Records. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2016.

@CollegeFactual. "University of Utah Room And Board." College Factual. N.p., 02


Sept. 2016. Web. 04 Sept. 2016.
"Department of Civil and Enviromental Engineering." Gale Group Resource Center.
Nelnet, n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2016.
"Facilities." Campus Recreation Services. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Sept. 2016.
"Housing & Residential Education." Housing Residential Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 04
Sept. 2016.
"Mountain Shadows." The University of Utah Off-Campus Housing Search. N.p., n.d.
Web. 04 Sept. 2016.

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