If you wouldn't plan on packing it, I'd get you a bigger heavier pistol like this one for the first gun, because the heavier the gun, the less it kicks, and the more accurate you are.
Later, when you want to wear it, you can try the little snubby lightweight guns or semi-autos ;~D
Where I'm going to be living is an incredibly safe town. Very little violence or anything. But... in my apartment, at night, alone, a gun would at least give me peace of mind. Once I know how to use it. Since I won't be having little brothers around, I wouldn't be afraid of other people getting hurt.
But I don't think I even could 'pack' - I'm pretty sure guns aren't allowed on university grounds. And I wouldn't be that comfortable with it, either.