<p>I recommend Sargent. It is literally a stone’s throw away from the science buildings, which is great now that’s cold and snowy here. There is a dining hall downstairs as well, and it is one of the better ones on campus because it is open on the weekends. There is no A/C but that is practically a non-issue as it is cold or mild most of the school year.</p>
<p>Sargent was not any of my 5 housing choices, but I am happy I ended up here, and I really love it. The building is old and not as nice as other dorms, but there is a large dorm lounge that fosters community and helps you to meet others in the building right from the get-go. If you’re an introvert, however, the rest of the building is VERY quiet and a good study environment.</p>
<p>Honestly, wherever you live, you’ll probably be fine. It’s not the end of the world if you end up somewhere you think is undesirable.</p>
<p>My freshman SoCal S was only interested in N end living arrangements, since he’ll spend much time at Tech Center. Well guess what, he ended up being assigned to Hinman, south campus. </p>
<p>He’s managed to adjust. Right now, since the leaves have dropped, he has a killer view of the lake from his room (Hinman is one of the few that offers this.) He got himself a bike that helps him move around pretty quickly (except when the bike lock freezes and the key breaks trying to open it …) He also manages to attend frat functions, which are in the north. Despite this year’s temps being colder than average for December, he’s layered up and adjusted quite nicely.</p>
<p>I’ve heard from NU graduates that incoming frehsman make the N/S distances up to be a greater deal than they really are. Yes, the campus is more rectangular N/S because it has the lake as it’s eastern boundary but it’s a lovely setting. If you haven’t visited to see it yet, check out the pictures on the NU web site. I admit, I’m fond of lake settings for campuses since I attended the U of Washington-Seattle, which has Lake Washington as one of its boundaries.</p>
<p>My friend and I were both accepted. We don’t want to room together but do want to at least be in the same building… is it possible to request that?</p>
<p>As an alum (now counseling my ED-accepted son!), I concur. Don’t fret too much over the North vs South thing. It’s not as big of a divide as CC makes it out to be. It’s not a sufficient distance to worry about; if it weren’t for the presence of non-university buildings in the middle of campus, no one would even call it North vs. South.</p>
<p>Would love to hear any current student takes on the res colleges (I never lived in one, so have no first-hand experience) - in particular the themed ones.</p>
<p>but isnt one side generally louder than the other? Which is the one with less noise? I can’t really put up with noise when I study, but don’t want to eliminate social life by simply choosing a dorm</p>
<p>^ haha that sounds slightly wrong. I know choosing a dorm isnt a HUGE decision so don’t think im going to “eliminate social life by simply choosing a dorm.”</p>
<p>Don’t believe all the buzz you hear about everything. The campus evolves, nothing’s as rigid as people make it out to be- you’ll hear lots of things. Honestly, just ignore them. All that matters is you.</p>
<p>what would you guys recommend for me? I think I want South because 1) it is close to whole foods (haha) and 2) I heard its quieter. But since I will be doing biological sciences, arent the north dorms closer to the science buildings? Will this severely inconvenience me? I don’t care about AC (If my room was 90 degrees I’d be stoked). And (in case all the dinning halls arent the same (just in case)) one with vegan food. Thanks</p>
<p>Live south- 1835 hinman has the best vegan dining, (it is not quieter or louder, it varies by building, not placement), and the distance isn’t a big inconvenience.</p>
<p>1835 Hinman, Allison and Shepard are all co-ed dorms.</p>
<p>I was one of the last classes to live in Allison when it was an all-female dorm in the eighties. I still have a card from my then-boyfriend (now husband) when I got placed in Allison (my roommate and I had bad lottery numbers) which says, “Cheer up, I’ve always wanted to live with 380 girls.”</p>
<p>Yes, science / engineering kids will take more classes up north and humanities, journalism, theater, music kids down south. However, everyone’s going to wind up taking classes in both locations. It’s not that far of a walk and it’s not that big of a deal.</p>
<p>If you’re in 1835 Hinman and are fortunate to get a room on the east side of the building, you’ll have a great view of the lake (once the trees drop their leaves in late fall.) It’s a very easy walk from there to Whole Foods and other shopping/eating areas in downtown Evanston. 1835 Hinman is also close to the beach and the sailing clubhouse.</p>
<p>Suggestion: Get the list of the addresses of the residence halls and play around looking at the images on Google Earth, to get a lay of the land. I actually ended up doing this before move in, since I’d read the main drag (Sheridan Road) was going to be under construction. Thus, I wanted some visual images of routes and buildings along the way. This did come in really handy!</p>
<p>You can’t request to be in the same building as your friend, but rank them the same and maybe you will get lucky.</p>
<p>Re: Bicycle - HUGELY popular at this school. The Chicago Parks dept sells their rental bikes at the end of the summer so you can pick up a pretty decent bike at a great price.</p>
<p>Re; bicycles, there’s also a place just across the Evanston border, in north Chicago, that has a not-for profit that refubishes bikes and sells them at a reasonable price. IIRC they are only open Saturday morning for sales.</p>
<p>My S became much happier once he got his bike. Note that not all residence halls have basement storage for the bikes, so they will be outside in winter weather. S has had to deal with a frozen bike lock …</p>
<p>Sargent if you need to have the dining hall.
Bicycles:
Northwestern offers winter storage before the break for bicycles. First come, first served and its for the whole winter term.</p>
<p>If you unfortunately end up with a frozen lock, you can fill out a form and get it cut off for $40 which goes on your NU invoice.</p>
<p>To the OP: Don’t let posters downplay the north-south divide. It is there. You aren’t instantly knocked off your feet once you pass some set geographic line, but the distinction is definitely recognizable if you leave your room every now and then. Just compare what you overhear people talking about in the dining hall in Hinman to that in Elder. South campus is noticeably low-key — but not anti-social — and north campus is definitely more outgoing. Don’t be fooled.</p>