Minnflyer,
I was wondering where you were, when I read the question was a kit vs. an ARF!!!
I hardly have the experience most of these guys do, but I do have to absolutely agree to go with a kit. I don't know your background, but I am a finance guy that pretty much just played sports growing up. Having said that, not only will a trainer kit be easier to construct, it will be more forgiving of your (minor) errors when it is time to fly (than more advanced planes/kits). I definitely needed that. Your building skills will just naturally get better as you go along, so when you get to building something you are real proud of, you'll have the skills. Good luck with it!!!
By the way, where are you going to store a plane, living on campus??