Steps to Ace Your College Journey in The Sims 2

As your teenage Sims mature in The Sims 2, they can take the exciting step of attending one of the available universities. Here, they get to experience life as a young adult, making new decisions without facing the full weight of adult responsibilities.

Graduating opens up even more doors, including fresh career opportunities! Below, you’ll find everything you need to set your Sim up for a successful transition from high school to college. Be sure to begin their educational journey promptly to avoid missing out.

Creating a University

Before sending your Sims to college, you first need to create a university for them. You can do this by clicking on the graduation cap icon located in the top left corner of the worldview screen.

There are three default universities, each corresponding to the game’s primary neighborhoods:

• Sim State University. With a vibe reminiscent of Pleasantview’s modern style, Sim State has the feel of a community college, yet the education provided here is top-notch.
• Academie Le Tour. This prestigious university in Veronaville is unique as it doesn’t have any fraternities or sororities by default.
• La Fiesta Tech. Famous for its vibrant Greek life and exciting parties against the backdrop of a harsh desert, this university attracts Sims from all backgrounds looking for a brighter future.

You can also create an entirely new college campus if you prefer, though you’ll need to design all the lots yourself!

Enrolling in College

As soon as your Sim reaches their teenage years, they’re ready to enroll in college. You can accomplish this in a couple of ways—by choosing an existing family or by creating a new family of young adults looking to experience college life.

Applying as a Teenager

Teen Sims can apply for colleges using a phone or computer. This application process is free, allowing them to choose any university they wish. While there’s no tuition, it’s smart to pursue scholarships to help finance their college experience.

Creating a Student

If you’d rather not send any existing teens to college, you can simply visit the sub-neighborhood and use the Create A Student menu to construct your Sim from scratch.

Scholarship Opportunities

Your aspiring student may qualify for various scholarships during their teenage years, including those based on merit and academic performance. The amount of Simoleons awarded varies, and not all scholarships are based on outstanding achievements.

This additional funding will bolster their starting balance, enabling them to decorate their dorm, shop in town, and avoid working in the cafeteria for a while.

Scholarships and How to Obtain Them

Dorm vs Renting: Where to Live?

Choosing the right place to live during college is a key decision. Your Sims will have various options throughout their university journey, so let’s explore the pros and cons of each living situation.

Advantages of Living in a Dorm

Dorm living is free! Your student will have their own small room while enjoying access to common facilities. They can also take on a job in the cafeteria whenever needed.

Additionally, there are plenty of other Sims around, providing a great chance for socializing. However, this situation can lead to complications.

Keep in mind that not every Sim will get along, and some may be messy roommates, potentially leaving books and assignments scattered throughout shared areas.

Advantages of Renting a House

Although you can’t purchase property in a college town, you have the option to rent a house during your studies. Renting is significantly more expensive, especially considering that students typically have limited funds, but it’s achievable with enough effort.

The downside is that this is a substantial investment that will drain your student’s finances. Furthermore, they can’t keep the property after graduating, and there are no dorm mates to interact with, which might necessitate going out more or finding roommates for company.

However, renting a house allows for greater freedom; students can enjoy some peace and quiet or host parties whenever they choose.

Advantages of Greek Life

Though your Sim can’t immediately join a fraternity or sorority, they can befriend members before transitioning into Greek life for a richer social experience during college.

Graduating from College

The primary goal of attending college is to graduate, which involves completing four years of university. Unlike the standard aging in the game based on days, college time is counted in hours.

Your Sim has 72 hours to wrap up their studies before taking final exams. Their success on these exams hinges on attendance, completing assignments, and submitting their term paper on time.

Declaring a Major

Upon entering college, your Sim can declare a major to focus their studies. This helps them target specific skills for improvement.

To declare a major, you simply need to use your Sim’s computer. Here are the majors available along with their related careers:

Your Sim can change their major anytime via the computer if they wish to explore a different career path later on.

Graduating On Time

Once your Sim takes their final exam, they have 72 hours to throw a graduation party, bid farewell to friends, and take a taxi back to their primary neighborhood.

After they leave, there’s no returning, so it’s crucial that they take everything they own within their inventory and make as many friends as possible before leaving.

Upon graduation, Sims unlock four new career paths. Graduates also receive a boost in their career level when hired, with a potential increase of one to three levels for those who graduate with honors.