Can I Bring My Dog (or Cat) Too? More Colleges Say "Yes" to Pets
It is either a sign of the Apocalypse or a positive trend, depending on your view, but more colleges are allowing students to bring their pets to live with them at college. Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, is renovating a dorm into "Pet Central" to accommodate the 30 incoming freshmen who have requested to bring their pets. And Stephens is not alone. Approximately a dozen colleges specifically allow for pets. For instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) allows cats in some dorm rooms, as does SUNY-Canton. Eckerd College and Washington & Jefferson College both allow dogs, cats and other animals to live with their student-owners. Eckerd even allows snakes, as long as they are under six feet long and nonvenemous. Some say that pet-friendly policies are becoming necessary as part of the heavy competition for students. Others argue that it could be a symptom of a greater separation anxiety for the student leaving home for college, could slow the transition to independence and provide a mechanism that students could use to avoid contact with other humans. Hmmm, an interesting psychological dilemma. But it's not all fun and games for the student/pet owner either. Stephens, Eckerd and W&J have all established Pet Councils (students and faculty are members) to enforce a pet code of conduct, which can include a ban on loud barking. Violations are punishable by removal from the dorm. So, if bringing Fido to college has been your dream, there is a college out there that will welcome both of you - just make sure he doesn't bark too loud.
For more information, click hereHITTING THE ROAD FOR YOU!!
Why turn to College Search Navigators, LLC to assist in your college search? Because we have been there . . and there . . . and oh yeah, there too. In the last year we have walked dozens of college campuses, talked with current students about what it's really like and with admissions offers about their programs, admissions processes and what they look for in evaluating applicants. Click on the College Spotlights page to see where we have been lately. We may have been where you want to be, and that might help you get there.