I go to WVU, and all I can say is make sure you're out of the dorms and in an apartment before getting another animal. One of my friends was actually kicked out of our dorm because of her ball python being found when maitenence was "cleaning her bathroom". How they were able to find a snake in a tub in her closed dresser drawer while cleaning the bathroom, well, I guess we'll never know. Anyways, it's easier to just wait until you're out of the dorm and either in an apartment that allows animals or one with a lax landlord. Our landlord doesn't know I'm living there (and not on the lease) let alone the 3 snakes we have in tubs under the bed because he's NEVER around.

Anyways.... If you're going to dorm, wait to get another snake, if it's not required and you can find an apartment, I would say go for it. As for money, I feel our snakes are alot cheaper than paying for a dog/cat. Buy some f/t rodents at an expo and you're set for a few months.

College and snakes can/does work out. Steve and I are even going to Japan for a year through school and are still able to have our snakes because we've made arrangements for someone to watch them and have bought enough f/t to last that entire year. They don't have to worry about paying for food, they just have to feed and clean every once in a while. (Perhaps this could be another option for you if you're required to be in a dorm room a certain amount of time.)