<p>I think I've narrowed my choices down to 1835 Hinman, Willard, Shepard, CRC, and something to put down as 5th on my list. However, I am curious about the bathroom situation. From my knowledge, I know that Hinman is suite style, and CRC is suite style; however, I think I prefer the feel of Willard and Shepard more. But the one thing that is still tripping me up is that I'm a bit of a shy person and am hesitant to share a bathroom with an entire floor like Willard and Shepard. Is there more than one bathroom per floor, and how many people usually share a bathroom? This issue is a bit of a sticking point for me....</p>
<p>On another note, how bad is a dorm such as Willard without air-conditioning especially in the early fall and late spring when the temperature rises? Is it a bother to stay in a dorm without A/C or is the issue simply overblown? </p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I thought Willard has A/C now? A/C is a nice perk but its virtually meaningless in the scheme of things. And I think the bathrooms are by hall, not floor, in Willard and Shepard. So probably about 30-40 people a bathroom. Even being shy I don’t see how this would be a problem… just get a bathrobe.</p>
<p>Willard doesn’t have A/C. My friends there are crying right now…</p>
<p>With regards to the bathroom, you’ll get used to it. Trust me no one would stare at you if you’re walking down the hallway in a towel. You just get used to it.</p>
<p>If you still feel the same way, you might want to take a t-shirt into the bathroom. I recall that a lot of people did that the first couple of weeks and then realized it was pointless…</p>
<p>Don’t let the bathroom situation influence your choice of dorm.</p>
<p>I second prateek about the bathrooms. Lots of people walk down the hallway in bathrobes or towels. However, it is a good idea to bring SOMETHING to wear under it just in case the fire alarm goes off while you’re in the shower. Yes, it’s a long shot, but do you want to risk having to stand around outside with a bunch of people with only a towel on? (I’ve seen it happen to people. Not fun.)</p>
<p>But yeah, don’t let the bathroom determine your choice of dorm unless you can’t pick between two dorms - then it could be a tipping factor. But overall, you should pick whichever dorm you think you’ll be happiest at.</p>
<p>How about the lack of air conditioning in Willard? Probably when you first arrive in mid-late September the weather isn’t too bad and A/C is easy to do without, but when the spring arrives (and I won’t be leaving until June) does it get a bit unbearable without A/C? Do fans do the trick, because I’m not gung-ho about sitting in a stagnant room…</p>
<p>In Missouri, at least, summers are hellishly humid, but don’t start getting really bad until late June. When I’ve visited Chicago in April, it hasn’t been too bad, humidity wise - and when getting off the train back in MO, you could sense the difference in the air. </p>
<p>Mostly in the Midwest, in May you’ll start seeing solid 70s, and by June it’ll be solid 80s. However, if humidity isn’t too bad or the air isn’t too stagnant, it’s actually not THAT bad. Uncomfortable, sure, but not awful.</p>
<p>Going off of limited Chicago experience as well as a lifetime spent in the Midwest, I imagine you could survive with a fan and other cool-down methods (lots of cold water!). Plenty of people live and live well in the no-AC dorms come June, so it must not be deadly. =P The only thing I’m worried about if I end up in a no-AC dorm is sleeping. That’s when it gets really bad - sleeping in a humid room sucks. If it is a real bother, you could reasonably invest in a $70-$80 dehumidifier for the small room size and it could make a world of difference.</p>
<p>I don’t think there are any fans. Atleast not in the one’s with A/C’s in them.</p>
<p>You need an A/C for about 3 months in a year. But I had it on till December, haha. The winter wasn’t too bad so it was unusually warm.</p>
<p>^ I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but I think I’m misunderstanding you. What do you mean there aren’t any fans? You mean the university doesn’t provide fans? If so, I think that’s pretty typical for colleges. Nothing is stopping you from bringing your own fan, though.</p>
<p>Get a cheap fan either at the bookstore (pretty sure they have them) or downtown. Mine’s running pretty much all day.</p>
<p>Haha, sorry for my stupidity. </p>
<p>“Fans” to me mean ceiling fans to me. Where I come from, you can’t live without them. Hence the confusion.</p>