Clicky

on January 24 2013 in Sims 3 University Life

SimsGuruArgus Answers University Questions
Facebook16Twitter3

 

Q&A Link

Q: Can the college Sims get married & pregnant in college life?
A: No marriage and no pregnancy. It’s kept pretty casual while Sims are at university.
 
 
Q: How will joining a sorority or fraternity work? Will Sims have to go through a rush period? Also can we customize how long each semester is.
A: Joining a sorority or fraternity is as easy as selecting it when you first move into the university world. There is no rush period since we wanted these to feel more inclusive than exclusive. There are some pretty great dares you can explore as well. Each time you attend university, you can customize the duration of your term to one or two weeks.
 

UNI NEW 3

 

 
 
Q: Whilst in the University world, can we visit home? That and can Pets, Paparazzi and Aliens visit this sub-world like Sunset Valley or not like with WA destinations?
A: Since the terms aren’t too long, there is no way to visit back home. If you get really homesick, you can drop out, but doing so will sacrifice anything you have spent in paying for that term. Pets will not show up in university, however those pesky Paparazzi and abducting Aliens may pay you a visit while you’re attending.
 
 
Q: Will there be an option to add college buildings to your home world so your working Sims can take night classes or so Sims can attend college classes while still living at home? 
A: You can definitely add college buildings to your home world through edit town and they will function similarly to Base Game rabbit holes with a few new interactions, but no college classes. While Sims can prepare for university outside of school by building skills and taking the aptitude test, actual credits will not be committed until you finish a term at university.
 
 
Q: If you meet a Sim at college, can you bring them back to you home world with you when college is over? 
A: You can’t immediately bring them back with your Sim when they go home from university since they have to unpack, but you can call them and have them visit your home world once your Sim has returned.
 
 
Q: What if your Sim graduates before their friends do? Will there be an option to stay in touch and invite them for a visit like you can do with foreign friends in WA and then invite them to move in that way?
A: If your Sim is a whiz in academics and ends up graduating before their friends, they can always keep in touch by calling their university friends. There is in fact an option to stay in touch with friends post-university and it works much like foreign friends in The Sims 3 World Adventures .
 
 
Q: Can you send your Sim’s friends and neighbors to college even when you are not playing as them?
A: The only Sims you are able to send off to university are Sims that are part of your active household.
 
 
Q: What is the shortest amount of time a Sim can stay at the university? Can you customize how long Sims can attend college?
A: The shortest amount of time a Sim can stay at university is one Sim week and the longest amount of time is two Sim weeks. You are able to customize your stay by selecting one or two terms (one term = one Sim week, two terms = two Sims weeks).
 
 
Q: Can Sims get multiple degrees? Like, go and graduate, come home and then go again?
A: Sims can most definitely earn multiple degrees. All of you completionists out there can go nuts!
 
 
Q: If I send a married Sim can she invite her spouse to visit her and also can he invite her to visit?
A: No, your Sim’s spouse will not be able to visit your Sim while they are at university, but you can always spend a little time in-between terms catching up with loved ones or you may speak to them on your smart phone while away at university.
 
 
Q: Are there Secret Societies in the University EP? 
A: There are no secret societies in university, but you can apprentice under the almighty mascot.
 
 
Q: Can you get kicked out if you misbehave or don’t keep up your grades?
A: Your Sim can get kicked out of class for cheating, but your Sim will never be suspended or expelled from university.
 
 
Q: I’m wondering if Sims will get additional wish slots when they graduate like they did in The Sims 2 University? Will there be new lifetime wishes or rewards?
A: We do have new lifetime wishes and rewards in The Sims 3 University Life, but we did things a little bit differently than in The Sims 2 University. Instead of getting an additional wish slot for graduating, Sims are granted an additional trait slot as well as other benefits.
 
 
Q: Are there spring breaks?
A: Technically, there can be a spring break, but this all depends if you have The Sims 3 Seasons installed and when your term ends.
 
 
Q: Will body piercings be reintroduced?
A: Body piercings do not appear in The Sims 3 University Life.
 
 
Q: Will Sims have jobs/part time jobs while attending class?
A: While Sims are at university, we definitely make room for them to focus on their Academics. If they had a job in their home world, it will be put on hold while they attend university. There are multiple ways to earn money while at university. The job board is a good place for Sims to start looking for ways to earn extra cash but it is by no means the only way to make money. You’ll have options!
 
 
Q: Are there any scholarships teens can apply for?
A: Sims that take the Aptitude Test will have their scores based on their previous accomplishments. This means that certain types of skills, traits, or high school grades that they had as a teen will come into play when calculating their overall score. This allows them to earn financial aid or even gain credits towards their degrees. Also, it is important to note that progress in certain careers also benefit Sims when they attend university.
 
 
Q: Are there new recipes? Will there be new recipes for the microwave?
A: There are new ready-to-eat recipes that can be found on the microwave and refrigerator as well as some tasty treats that you can purchase from the new barista bar.
 
 
Q: Will there be different kinds of university campuses? 
A: There is only one university campus. This campus, however, can be modified using edit town either from your home world or when you arrive in the university world. It really is the cream of the crop though and the one university that all Sims aspire to attend.
 
 
Q: What are the new social interactions with the 3 social groups?
A: I don’t want to spoil too much here, but we have quite a few new socials that unlock as you progress through the social groups. This ranges from things like taking a self-portrait with your smart phone to showing off a new gizmo.
 
 
Q: Can we switch gameplay from university to town?
A: Attending university works like a travel world. Once enrolled, it is best to stay until the end of the term, but you are able to drop out and head back home during the middle of the term. Doing so will cause your Sim to lose any progress and money spent towards earning their degree that term. Once you finish the term or drop out, you will be returned to your home world.
 
 
Q: Can Sims get academic probation if they don’t do well in class?
A: No, the only real punishment for not doing well at university is when you are cheating. Other than that, university is very forgiving on performance. Nobody wants to be kicked out, especially if they’re spending their hard earned Simoleons on it. Another important note is that if you get a D or an F, you will either get reduced credits or no credits for that term.
 
We hope this Q&A can tide you over until The Sims 3 University Life launches on March 5! Thanks for reading!
 

 

»
112 Comments
  1. Simsfan says:

    Don’t buy it if you don’t like it! I don’t remember much about those ‘secret societies’ but when your Sim was at there, it was quite boring. And University wasn’t the best EP for TS2, OFB was (in my opinion). Why do you judge so much this? I think this is very lovely expansion pack. (Sorry for my bad English)

    • Tangy says:

      This isn’t something like the Katy Perry SP or Showtimes EP, not to me, at least. The difference is that a university-themed expansion pack actually appeals to me, it’s something that I’ve been waiting for. Now that it’s been announced, it’s seemingly quite lacking in the gameplay/content department, and it doesn’t really have that “college feel.”

      So sure, it’s easy enough for me to ignore some candy-themed celebrity-endorsed pack. However, when a favourite of mine is executed poorly, yea, that’s gonna sting a little.

      • PuffPuff says:

        Exactly. It sucks to get excited because EA is bringing back your favorite expansion, only to find that it’s completely different in all the wrong ways. I think disappointed sims players have the right to say they’re disappointed. I’m sure EA gets enough praise on a daily basis, so a little bit of criticism won’t hurt their widdle feelings. ;) *

        *that was a joke!

    • IliveInParis says:

      I agree with simsfan, it seems that you guys want it to be exactly like in TS2 so much that you ignore he new features it brings to TS3 >:(

  2. Dixy13 says:

    im kind of dissapointed as well…it does not have the same feel as TS2 University…and as i can see from the live chat they have concentrated more on partying and those stuff instead the learning and improving yourself…and i know that partying is important part of your college years, but so are the grades…and i hate the fact that your sims couldnt get kick off the college if they failing or go to the probation…i like the system they have in TS2 University…Freshmen,Sophomore,Senior etc.im really dissapointed so far…My sims can partying all the time but i want them to improve them self by learning!!!! shame on you EA!!!

    • IliveInParis says:

      actualy TS2 uni didn’t feel like uni to me, it felt like normal gameplay, even the dorms had no almost difference from the greek houses. I mean I can’t change the way you feel about it but imagine this: TS3 UL came out instead of TS2uni and now TS2 uni was coming out (i know it doesn’t make sence but please keep open minds) you wouldn’t be happy because there won’t be the same features
      just instead of complaining please try thinking of the good sides of this EP instead of the bad side

  3. catloverplayer says:

    I was hoping s bartitas in the uni tow..our Sims could work a

  4. catloverplayer says:

    Ok im not drunk but my cell phone is making me sound that way. I meant to say I was hoping our Sims could work as bartistas in the uni town.

  5. josh says:

    looks like there are sophomores freshmans ect..
    lolzbr ‏@lolzbr
    @SimGuruBritt hi, are there freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors in university life?
    Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More
    23 Jan Brittany Henry ‏@SimGuruBritt
    @lolzbr yes! all the sims in Uni are at various stages of earning their degrees

    • Thanks for posting that.

      Hah, turns out my assumptions were correct. It’s not just 1 or 2 terms in total – we can choose for how long a university year lasts. Technically, maximum time spent on university is 8 weeks (2 for each of the 4 years). :D

      So mega happy right now. That was my only concern and I’m glad stages aren’t gone.

      • LifeJunkie says:

        I was wondering about that too. I was like, 1 or 2 weeks in college? That’s a really short time. It wasn’t clear to me that it’s 1 or 2 weeks per term. I feel much better now :) . I can’t wait.

  6. Evan says:

    Isn’t the point of some sororities and fraternities to exclude the people that don’t make the cut? I’m pretty sure in real life you can’t just pick a fraternity or sorority to join immediatlely. They made this way to simple. Also, two weeks isnt that long to be away. Especially for college.

  7. Jess1281 says:

    I must be gettng old, I see people on here saying they aren’t going to buy a game because it doesn’t have body piercing or other reletively trivial things not in it.

    I for one, love the idead you aren’t locked into one degree or career boon, you can go back as much as you can afford and just have fun with it.

    So it isn’t JUST like Sims 2 Uni, so what? It sunds like a massive step up from S2 Uni, IMO. All I say, don’t knock till you tried it, it might wind up being your favorite EP, even with precieved oversights.

    I speak from personal experience, I thought WA was the single most idiotic EP idea/concept EVER…Till I played, I was addicted to the HUGE change in play.

    It is still a favorite. I thought I’d love PETS when it came out, couldn’t wait for it. I resist the urge to “fly the bird” whenever I happen to see the case. Just my 2 cents.

    • IliveInParis says:

      that is exactly what I think :) but I didn’t know how to put it into words :D

    • LifeJunkie says:

      I agree completely. This is way more realistic than TS2 Uni.
      In real life, people can go back to college as much as they want. You’re not stuck in some age group and then when you age, can’t go back. I love this. I can’t wait to send my elder sims to college, just to make them more fun to play. Because let’s face it, elder sims are boring.

  8. Jarsie9 says:

    SimGuru Britt confirmed that our Sims will need to rack up 48 credit hours to graduate. It can be found in this thread:

    http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/45/639270.page

    However, there’s a misunderstanding about the terms. You can choose between a one week term and a two week term. The minimum number of hours you can take is 6 per term, or 18 per term. But, if I’m not mistaken, those are cumulative. So if you take 6 hours for 2 terms, it adds up to 12 hours for the whole 2 terms. Or you can customize the number of hours by using the slider.

    This works just like a WA world. You send your Sim off to school, and when he finishes his term, he gets home on the same day he left; not sure how much time will have elapsed. And you’ll probably be required to wait a number of days before your Sim can go back to college, so you have that time to play with your Sim in the neighborhood and maybe have him skill up and earn extra money. Adult Sims can go on their days off and not miss out on their jobs…just like they can go on a World Adventure on a weekend, and come back the same day.

    There’s also no set time that your Sim *has* to get his degree like there was in The Sims 2 University. So, you can take your own sweet time about getting that degree, or you can simply choose *not* to graduate after one term, and not be penalized for it as you were in the Sims 2. In other words, if you get bored, you can drop out and lose money and credits, OR just finish the term, not lose anything, but decide not to go back ever, or go back at a later stage. The choice is yours.

    I hope this clears up any confusion.

  9. karen says:

    I hardly ever use world adventures so I dont know how I will use university as it’s like the same thing.
    I hate going to new worlds, because i play in a town with generations of families.

  10. Alex says:

    I have never actually tried the sims 2 University but after watching it on youtube, I have seen it was really fun. I went to buy it but it did not work so I gave up. Long story short, I have seen some really great things in it, but in the sims 3 university it does not seem much. I know it does not seem right to dissown a game before it comes out but its true. I just hope they add more things to it.

  11. catloverplayer says:

    Peircings will more likely be added to island paradise since in the sims 2 they were added to bon voyage.

    And uni and wa worlds work similar except the uni world lets you have seasons.

    I can’t wait for this ep.

  12. catloverplayer says:

    Oh by the way their having a noredic sims 3 university event Feb 8th and some fansites have been invited. It’s somewhere in the UK I think. I unfortuanly forgot the location but the fansites will get to play uni.

  13. catloverplayer says:

    So the self portrait option has to be unlocked? What about sims who don’t attend universties? There are no social groups outside of the universtiy world.

    I have a feeling Twallon will have to work his magic on this one. I don’t download mods but this maybe the first one I download so any sims can use the poses.

  14. catloverplayer says:

    Quote

    Q: What are the new social interactions with the 3 social groups?
    A: I don’t want to spoil too much here, but we have quite a few new socials that unlock as you progress through the social groups. This ranges from things like taking a self-portrait with your smart phone to showing off a new gizmo.

    That’s not really fair that I have to send my sims to college so they can open up this feature by talking to the social groups. I thought this was a feature all sims could do on their phones take pictures together.

    I’m pretty sure this will be modded so every sim can but I really don’t want to have to put mods in my game. I’m assuming this will be added to the master controller mod to make it were any sim can take pictures on thier new smart phone. Dang I was going to use this feature in Island Time.

    I’m hopeful testingcheats can unlock it but I doubt it.

    • Amy says:

      ETA: Cat…Twallan’s mods are the best and safest out there. You should really do some research on them. They will not hurt your game….but will help and enhance it. Honestly.

  15. catloverplayer says:

    Hopefully the social group npc sim will be added to the mailbox via testingcheats so you can make them walk by in your regular town. Using this cheat is risky and can crash your game but for the most part it doesn’t.

    In the live chat they showed a freshman female taking a picture with a sim she had just met so I’m really confused.

    Apparently poses arn’t a highly requested feature in the sims 3 as the topics rarely get replied to on the sims 3 site but that’s something I’ve been wanting a while. Maybe the patch will make these available to all sims without needing to talk to a social sim.

    I guess we’ll just have to wait and see but yea I can see Twallen creating a mod to fix this.

    • Amy says:

      I thought it was already said the social groups would also exist in the home world and I could have sworn it was Argus who said it.

  16. catloverplayer says:

    Yea i went back and watched and he did say that but still id rather this be available from the start.

  17. catloverplayer says:

    Cant wait for the nordic sims 3 university event Feb 8th. SimTias was invited.

  18. catloverplayer says:

    Here is more info on the nordiac event and according to SimTias they will be showing off a suprise Island Time?
    http://forum.thesims3.com/jforum/posts/list/639521.page

  19. Simon says:

    What about new careers?

  20. catloverplayer says:

    Maybe well find out about the carreers from the nordic event in on the 8th.

  21. Stephie says:

    I feel as though I’m part of the small population that was kinda nervous about there being Sims 3 University Life but now after looking into it am actually pumped about it. Sims 2 University was fun but I mean first of all, its not gonna be a rabbit hole. Secondly, you can actually go out and visit the college. In Sims 2, you basically chilled on your lot and waited for your classes. Then you sat around and waited for your Sims to come back from their classes. I already know what Sims I’ll be making. I’m probably making a complete nerd that’s gonna become a video game developer and then a rebel. Might or might not ever make a jock. Don’t know yet.

  22. catloverplayer says:

    If anyone has any questions ask them at the link above I posted both Sim Tias and Isims are taking them for the nordic event. I’ve already asked plenty.

  23. IliveInParis says:

    honestly i think it looks great, sure it’s not that much like TS2 but open world will make it so much better, and the fact that you can have social groups and be popular with a certain group of friends makes it great and it looks like you can’t play with your roomates wich makes it MUCH more realistic
    you have to be less negative

  24. boombox says:

    I like it. Not even a little hate to the game. Or the developers.

  25. mitch says:

    2 weeks only ?….. Thats so short

  26. Russell says:

    All these 8,2,18,1 ect terms are making me dizzy

  27. Anny says:

    I’m curious,
    If I go to the college from Monte Vista will I see sims from let’s say, Sunset Valley or Bridgeport?
    Sorry if they said it somewhere and I missed it. :)

  28. Alex says:

    Can you choose from different backpacks? Or can you customize the backpacks the sims have?

Leave a Reply