B-J vs. Snell

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I submitted my deposit yesterday and I'm deciding on housing now. I definitely want a single but I don't want to be too far from the quads so I narrowed down my choices to B-J and Snell (since Hitchcock has doubles). I'm putting South Campus as my #3 choice, but I don't know whether I should make B-J or Snell #1 or #2. I know that they're similar- relatively quiet, quirky. The thing is, I must be on a female-only floor (community bathrooms, ya know) so I'm not sure what my chances at Snell are, even with me submitting my deposit yesterday. I know that it's very popular and there's just one female-only floor. I've heard that B-J is in better condition, has less of a stigma, convenient dining hall, and has more female-only floors. However, you have to cross the Midway to get to the quads. </p>

<p>Can anyone give me more info/help me make up my mind? :) Thank you!</p>

2

<p>Keep in mind that Snell’s kind of a cult and people there seem to seem to keep mostly to themselves. It might just be my experience, but I’ve only met one person from Snell in two and a half years at UChicago and she hated it. Then again, if you like living somewhere quiet and knitting/playing video games for fun it could be for you. In BJ the culture depends a lot on the house, so it’s kind of random as to what experience you’ll get.</p>

3

<p>Okay, I will keep that in mind. Good to know :)</p>

<p>I am also wondering about the condition of SH vs. BJ…how clean/well-maintained are they? I know there’s no elevators too.</p>

4

<p>I agree with v3rt. BJ and Snell are really different from the rest of the housing culture. Honestly, living in a Max suite or South room is not a bad idea…meeting new people and all. After having a roommate in Max P, you might be able to get a max single which is great. But if getting a single is the must, I say BJ.</p>

5

<p>Firstly, although you may be set on a female-only floor, let me just say that co-ed bathrooms are not a big deal whatsoever. I’m in BJ on a mixed floor, and my bathroom is shared amongst 12 people. Despite this, it is somewhat rare to be in the bathroom at the same time as someone else (other than, maybe, brushing your teeth at night), and I’ve only been in the shower once or twice while someone else was there. No one blinks twice about it, and everything just works out. Also, keep in mind that a janitor comes every morning to clean the bathroom, so if you are worried about sharing the bathroom with “messy” boys (somewhat of a stereotype), there is nothing to fret about.</p>

<p>Other than that, I would recommend BJ over Snell. Snell caters to a really specific demographic: the sort of student that is exceedingly quirky, stereotypically socially awkward, and very insular. While some people love it, if you don’t exactly fit, then you may have a hard time feeling comfortable. On the other hand, BJ caters to a wider demographic that, while still encompassing those “quirky” and sometimes insular students, is more diverse and usually more social than Snell. That is, I believe the average Snell inhabitant would feel comfortable in BJ, but not necessarily vice versa.</p>

<p>Also, crossing the midway is not really a big deal, either. It takes me three minutes to get to Harper (southernmost building on the quads) and another minute or two to get to class. In terms of the cold, well, you can be as warm as you want as long as you dress accordingly.</p>

<p>Good luck choosing dorms and welcome to UChicago! I’m sure you’ll find a fantastic time regardless of your choice.</p>

6

<p>BJ all the way!</p>

<p>I lived in the beej my first two years and was an RA in Max for my last two.</p>

<p>I absolutely LOVED the beej.
Singles can be incredibly huge, and some even have their own bathrooms (although tough luck getting one as a first-year). There are 6 houses in the building, but I think only Coulter has single sex floors… so you’d more than likely end up there.
As far as the bathroom situation goes, Sarquois has it all pretty much down. Secret - my house normally goes all co-ed bathrooms, but the RHs put it up to a vote on a quarterly basis. If so much as only ONE student says that they’d prefer single-sex bathrooms, the RHs make a switch. It ranges from quarter to quarter whether or not all bathrooms become single-sex or if only one becomes whichever sex was requested. Soooo keep that in mind. Not sure if the other houses follow the same rule, but I would think so. </p>

<p>Getting a single in Max as a first-year is almost definitely impossible. It happens, but only on rare occasions. I think it’s more common in South, but that’s not saying much. </p>

<p>Also, if you want a house that’s big on house pride/UChicago traditions/quirky etc, go for the beej. Snell can be a little extreme in that regard. I wanted a very UChicagoy experience, but Snitchcock’s intensity sort of pushed me away. By no means is it a bad thing over there (I love them for it), but it just wasn’t quite what I wanted. The beej maintains a sense of exclusivity because of its blueprint and location south of the quads. Houses tend to be more friendly with one another across the entire dorm, and the enthusiasm and heart put into Scav (without going overboard) is a prime example of just how awesome of a community the beej is. </p>

<p>I’d have to say though (in my limited experience with South and RA perspective of Max), that the same sense of community isn’t as easily felt in Max or South. This isn’t to say it doesn’t exist – my house in Max was pretty famazing, but that’s because my co-RA and I each came from smaller houses with more intense house cultures. Max and South seem to take pride in other things like having a kajillion residents in the same RSO, going on large scale trips throughout the city, or frat hopping together during O-Week. It’s a much more social experience on a grander scale outside of the dorm. The beej is more low-key house hangouts and running around campus after hours… things like that. </p>

<p>You can find all of these things/people in every house across campus though!
It’s just that some atmospheres/attitudes tend to be more prominent in different dorms/houses.</p>

7

<p>I know most of the dorms pretty well, so, as objective as I can be…</p>

<p>Max: Location is awesome, color scheme is… well, you know, garish. Max is bit more of the standard “college dorm” experience than other places, but I mean that in a very, very positive way. It has great people, lots of activities. The rooms for first years are all doubles and bigger, rooms are super-nice. The dorm’s also really near the quad, and right next to the dining hall and library. </p>

<p>BJ: Such a pretty dorm, great people, in-building dining hall which is nice. In terms of the scavenger hunt, I think it says a lot about BJ that they rarely win (Snell-Hitchcock’s kind of got this dynasty thing going on, I seem to remember), but always have just about the most fun of any team, which is just as good as winning, if you ask me. With all the love to BJ people, you know when you keep hearing that “crossing the midway isn’t that big of a deal” that it actually is kind of a big deal, but it’s not like you’re in Siberia. Count on a 15 minute walk to the library, 10 minute walk to classes in Eckhart/Kent (Math and big lecture halls) and a bit shorter to places like Cobb, where you will take a billion classes, no doubt.</p>

<p>Snell-Hitchcock: Snell and Hitchcock are technically two separate dorms, but they’re the only ones that are actually on the quads, so they’re kind of the undisputed kings of “location.”. Snell is all singles, and has about half as many people as Hitchcock, which has doubles. Spots in Snell go really fast because it’s super-pretty, and not that big, which means that the only people who get rooms in them are students who got in early, and decided to go to UChicago right away, so take that for what it’s worth in terms of the people. I certainly don’t believe they’re cultish or antisocial at all, and I’m not quite sure where people get that from. You must have a reason for wanting a single your first year, and I’m guessing it’s not because you’re antisocial. (Though maybe it is?)</p>

<p>Shoreland: Dammit, it’s not there anymore. Shoreland ruled.</p>

8

<p>I’m going to agree with Uchicagograd in saying Snell nor Hitchcock is NOT cultish and antisocial. Yes, I think it’s an undisputed fact that it is the quirkiest residence hall if that is to mean the most “UChicago”. Snell-Hitchcock is the oldest residence hall on campus (I think?) and as such there is a heavy amount of tradition and house culture ingrained such as Scav. What also makes its residents stick out is that there is a heavy amount of house activity, more so than most, if not all, houses. Residents of SH experience a very tight house community and have many house activities that range from all sorts of things. Residents aren’t antisocial or socially awkward; I don’t know where that’s coming from. there are some of the most outgoing, friendly, confident people as well people who frequent parties and such.</p>

<p>Also, first years in Hitchcock get doubles but many of my 2nd year and older Hitchcock friends have singles so there seems to be quite a prevalence of singles in Htichcock after 1st year as well.</p>