<p>I was wondering if someone could describe the difference between the North and West campus and the merits of each? Also, which dorms are the 'best'? I will be a freshman at UW this September, and I'm trying to figure out housing. I value a certain degree of privacy, I couldn't imagine sharing a room with two other people in the triplet rooms, but I'm also looking to make friends of course! </p>
<p>Any information would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>yes im looking for info on dorms too. i would like to be in the most social dorms just so that its easier to make friends right off the bat.</p>
<p>I’m a Freshman this year, living in west campus. Here are my observations, take them as you will.</p>
<p>In general, north versus west campus turns into an apple vs orange debate. It depends on your preferences, and it’s really hard to compare them. North campus is the location of the “traditional” university dorms. Common bathrooms, and sometimes triples, but with this you get cheaper dorms and a more “collegiate” feel. </p>
<p>West campus is more modern, as it is only a few years old. It is more expensive, and feels more like living in a nice hotel than a college dorm. This is both a pro and a con. You get your own bathroom, shared with your roommate(s), but as a con, the cost of the room is significantly higher, about $1000 more/quarter or $3000/year.</p>
<p>Breaking it down further, let’s look at north campus dorms one by one. McCarty is considered the “engineering” dorm, mostly because it houses a significant amount of pre-engineering and pre-health themed floors. There are doubles and triples in this dorm. It probably has one of the best communities on campus from what I have heard, and in the basement there is “Ian’s Domain” which is a convenience shop with food, and an internet cafe of sorts, with study tables, computers and a large tv. McCarty is a good dorm to socialize in, depending on floor of course. Because it is an EFS dorm, there will likely be a good community already established when you move in. This is a good thing, these communities are rarely exclusive, and if they are, don’t waste your time.</p>
<p>Haggett is next. It’s an interesting dorm in that its rooms are hexagonal. It is mostly double rooms with a few single rooms scattered here and there. Two floors share a lounge, making for easy socialization, and it also houses ricks cafe which serves super super cheap (and good) ice cream. I can’t say much about this dorm. It’s aging, as most of north campus is, you share common bathrooms, but it seems okay all around.</p>
<p>McMahon is interesting. It has a “cluster” layout, meaning you share a common room with perhaps five rooms. This is great if you get a good cluster. However, if you don’t mesh with your cluster, there aren’t any inter-cluster lounges, so socializing within the dorm could be tough. Additionally, you could have the RA in your cluster. Aside from these cons, you get “The 8” which is the large dining hall, just down stairs, you get a small work out room and the “nook” which is another convenience store as well. It is also very centrally located.</p>
<p>Hansee is the “quiet dorm”, usually reserved for older or returning students. It has 24 hour quiet hours, but all that means is you shouldn’t disturb other residents by being obnoxious. I know friends who have met a lot of people here anyways. It is only single rooms, and as a result socializing is much less here. That doesn’t mean it’s non existent. Honestly, many students who get Hansee as a freshman complain and try to switch out. Look at it as a blessing. You get your own room to come back to, and a good place to study. Ians domain is just a short walk away, and you can meet tons of friends there! You don’t need to meet all your friends in your dorm.</p>
<p>Now on to west campus. If I end up forgetting a dorm, just let me know and I’ll tell you what I can.
Alder, Elm and Poplar look more or less the same. They are similar on the inside, except alder is in the shape of an O, poplar an H, and elm an L. Generally these dorms are fine, they have nice amenities, and are fairly social. This year however, poplar seems to be the quiet dorm. I can’t say much about it as I haven’t really been inside. It is very nice though.</p>
<p>Alder has the district market underneath it, so food is easy to get, and being an EFS dorm, along with housing a few freshman-only floors, it is very social. So social that it can get a little rowdy. I haven’t encountered <em>that</em> many problems. Plus, alder commons is down stairs, and the rooms there are great for studying if they are not being used for anything else. You get your own bathroom and there are two lounges on each floor. It is all doubles except for a few singles and studios on the ground floor.</p>
<p>Elm has the gym underneath it, and is very similar to alder except it has doubles and triples. It also has some engineering and pre-health floors, so that is a good community to be a part of if that is your major. There is also cultivate in Elm, a fancy restaurant. It’s pretty good, though the service is iffy. Try it once or twice a quarter, but that’s really all.</p>
<p>Lander is the newest dorm, just opening last quarter. It is an updated version of alder/elm/poplar, the “tree dorms”. The elevators are a little nicer, the lighting is updated, so on so forth. There are 3 or 4 lounges per floor. I like Lander much better than the “tree dorms”, but all are nice in their own way. You also have quick access to Local Point, the west campus dining area, and lander front desk where you can get your mail and pick up packages.</p>
<p>On west campus there is also stevens court and mercer court, two apartment buildings. They are similar to McMahon in terms of layout, you share a common area with 6-8 people. Mercer is really expensive, and the rooms are smaller than alder/lander. In stevens court you get your own room.</p>
<p>Personally, I would choose McCarty or Lander. I hope this is good enough information! Let me know if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>are there any dorms that are coed or they all same-sex?</p>
<p>^All the dorms are co-ed. I don’t think any dorm is single-sex. Most American universities are like this.</p>
<p><a href=“Housing & Food Services - UW HFS”>Housing & Food Services - UW HFS; :</p>
<p>Rooms, clusters and apartments are assigned to students of the same sex. The majority of residence hall floors have students of both sexes living on them, though single-sex floors are available upon request.</p>
<p>Bathrooms in the residence halls are sex-specific. Students of the opposite sex are not allowed into bathrooms not designated for them. Doors to bathrooms designated for females are equipped with locks, and female residents of the hall are provided with keys.</p>
<p>thank you eskimo that was so helpful!! </p>