<p>...with the fact that it seems we've all been put together in one of two buildings pretty far away from campus. I remember when I was accepted I asked on the transfer blog if we would be isolated from the rest of the community, and was told that doesn't happen. But it seems we haven't been integrated at all and must wait another year before being truly accepted. I'm not too upset, because I like where I live and so far I think I like my roommates, but I'm just a little disappointed that residence life didn't try harder to make us part of the community.</p>
<p>Hmm......perhaps I'm just lashing out today because the bill arrived :p</p>
<p>It's probably a supply/demand issue. A couple of dorms are only for upperclassmen. First years going into their second year tend to stay in their dorm or move off campus. There aren't very many students who switch dorms (though there are some). Since students who stay in their house are obviously staying in dorms that accept students of all years, there aren't a huge number of students moving to the upperclassmen dorms. Returning students are basically assured spots in their house for the next year if they want them, by the way. So you end up with upperclassmen dorms that aren't in very high demand. If someone wants apartment living a little ways off campus and is fine with leaving his/her dorm, then that person is probably going to move off campus. Further, there was a bit of a housing crunch this year, which is why a few first year students were placed into traditionally upperclassmen houses. Returning students and incoming first years get first dibs at the Shoreland, BJ, Max, etc. since first years need to be in those dorms (with the exception of some overflow from the housing crunch this year) and upperclassmen get to remain in their houses, the upperclassmen dorms are left largely to transfers. </p>
<p>Does that make sense? If not, then ignore me.</p>
<p>Hi Nightshade,
My son is in the same boat as you, but that's what happens when you are " last man in the boat" [i.e. enrolled] on top of Chicago having an overenrolled Freshman class. Sophomores are often "low man on the totem pole" regarding housing at many colleges . You might feel better if you remember the many students on the transfer blog who were disapointed because they DIDN'T get accepted at Chicago.</p>
<p>Though I completely understand your disappointment of not being able to experience dorm living, I think you'll come to appreciate Stony Island for what it is (it's quite nice), and you'll be able to meet people through classes, activities, etc.</p>
<p>Housing was really overloaded this year. They took the upperclassmen quota off of Max P, and as a result, a lot of upperclassmen decided to stay in Max. Again, with the overenrollment, a lot of first-years were placed in Blackstone, which, in the past, was not a first-year dorm. Chicago housing was pretty desperate this year-- you're not the only one who's unhappy with the housing situation.</p>
<p>Give yourself a few weeks to adjust before you decide you dislike it, though.</p>
<p>Stony's distance to the heart of the campus is no different than the situation at many other colleges. Take Harvard as an example. And the situation at many state u's is much worse, where the campus distances are measured in miles, not blocks.</p>
<p>There is just no way a U the size of Chicago could squeeze everyone in close who wanted to be and still have space for classrooms and labs...</p>
<p>I concur. SI is fairly close to the quads and is one of the more desirable residences. Also, the walk between it and the campus as well as the bus service is fairly solid.</p>
<p>I know someone who transferred to the U. of C. last year and lived in Stony. While it may be a bit of a hike to campus, the suites are large and spacious, much larger than the single I had on campus -- and very clean and new-looking. Every cloud has a silver lining, yes?</p>