Just looking for some insight from some current students or anyone about the pros and cons of the Freshman dorms at Stanford 
thank you in advance!
Given that there is a complete turnover in all of the all-freshman dorms each year, it makes no sense to talk about the “best all freshman dorm at Stanford.” What does make sense, however, is to discuss the choice between an all freshman dorm or a four-class dorm.
My very strong recommendation is to go for an all-freshman dorm. I am an alum. When I go back to my reunions, I am always struck by how much people from the same freshman dorm get together–even after decades. I have had several classmates who were in four-class dorms as freshmen tell me they wished they had been in all freshmen dorms. One such person even told me that he firmly believes that all freshmen should be required to live in all freshman dorms. This is the practice in many schools. I think it should also be the practice at Stanford.
People from the development office at Stanford also tell me that they observe very strong bonds among those who were in the same freshman dorm. I asked a development officer whether he observed the same bonds among those who were in the same class but were in a four-class dorm as a freshman. He said “no. It is a stark difference.”
If you are an incoming freshman at Stanford, you can express your preference for all-freshman or four-class (there are a couple of other permutations, such as single gender corridor). You are not allowed to express a preference for a particular dorm or house. At one time, all-freshman dorms were over subscribed. A good friend of mine wrote a long letter to the housing people explaining why she wanted to be in a all-freshman dorm. They assigned her to a four-class dorm. Things worked out fine. But this was 25 years ago. Now, I believe that everyone or virtually everyone who requests an all-freshman dorm is assigned to an all-freshman dorm.
You find out what dorm you are in in August, but you do not find out who your roommate is until the day you show up at Stanford. I think this is a good system. From what I can observe, the housing people do a good job of matching students.
Freshman housing at Stanford is a big plus, IMHO. Everyone is in the same boat, and there are a lot of dorm sponsored events (skiing trips, day trips to the beach, etc.) Food is a heck of a lot better than in my days. The rooms themselves are often modest, but that’s not the reason to go to college.
^excellent post! @fredthered‌
@fredthered thank you so much, your post is very informative! Do I have to pay enrollment before i can apply for housing?
You can’t sign up for housing for a while, so there’s no rush or need to feel that you must do it quickly. Stanford will give you plenty of time to sign up for housing. The assignments are done over the summer. As long as you turn in your forms by the deadline, it won’t matter when you submit the info.
One thing to keep in mind is that, at least this year, there were too many kids who wanted all freshman housing, so some ended up in four year. It varies year to year and there are certainly pluses and minuses to both. They will do their very best to get you into housing that you want.
I think all frosh dorm vs four class is more a question for the type of person.
I signed up to be in an all frosh dorm but was ultimately put in a four class dorm. I was not alone. I was dissapointed at first. But looking back, it’s not as big a deal as I thought it would be. I’ve still had such a positive Stanford experience.
Four class dorms tend to be much quieter and less social because there are upperclassmen who just aren’t as excited about Stanford as they once were. However, I do believe they often tend to be much more close knit as a freshman class in a four class dorm. You do meet a good amount of upperclassmen, and it is sometimes nice to have an older person’s opinion on things.
All frosh dorms tend to be cliquier, albeit much more socially vibrant. Everyone is really excited about everything and everything is really lively. But, alot more insane stuff happens (ie. hospital transports) and some people just don’t like that. There’s sort of a stereotype that if you’re in an all frosh dorm you’re “cooler” because you probably party more or whatever. It’s really a false stereotype but it kind of exists.
So I think it really depends on the person. Part of me wishes I was in an all frosh dorm to experience that non-stop, never ending vibrant social life. But the other part of me realizes how great an experience i’ve had being in a four class dorm, being much closer with ALL the freshman in my dorm rather than a small clique. I defintely have met people in all frosh dorms who wish they were in four class. I think ultimately both experiences are different, but it’s unfair to say one is better than the other.
Should all dorms be all frosh for freshman? Part of me wants to say yes, because it would be cool if everyone freshman had the same exact dorm experience, and you wouldn’t have people wishing they were in the other. But the other part of me says no. I think part of the beauty of being a freshman at stanford is that everyone has a different, unique experience and almost everyone ends up loving their freshman year no matter what!
I would have to agree with @guccigirl here…whether you prefer all frosh dorm or the more traditional four-class dorm or the “themed” dorms is related more to one’s personality…likes and dislikes…independent minded vs crowd-seeker, more reserved quiet introspective type vs extrovert, being among like-minded people vs exposed to all types of people…
there are pros and cons to the variety of dorms that are available…and I would not say one is clearly better than the other…it all depends.