<p>So my parents want me to stay in a private dorm my freshmen year for pretty unfathomable reasons, so now I'm trying to look at private dorms within a good walking distance of the school. </p>
<p>I'm a computer science major and will probably be spending a lot of time in the engineering area and Dell Computer Science complex, so I was thinking maybe Dobie? If I had been staying on campus, I would have probably picked Jester East. I've heard the Towers is a total party dorm and though they are really nice, it's just filled with frat boys or prospective frat boys, which I don't really think I'd be all about. I've heard the Castilian is super run down. I don't want to stay at SRD because it's an all girls dorm (I think?) and it seems as though it and Hardin are for girls who are looking to join sororities. Not sure I'm about the sorority life either. </p>
<p>Any suggestions/insight on private dorms? Also, how many freshman usually stay in private dorms anyways?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>After much research, we’ve decided to go with Dobie over Castilian. </p>
<p>Pros: It’s cheaper than Castilian ($1000 off if you pre-pay annual) and has more space. It has specific “quiet” floors (1,2, 26, 27). They’ll pack you a sack lunch if you ask the day before. They allow you to keep your stuff in the room if you stay over the summer. Castilian will direct you to some storage place. Seems like the security is a little better than Castilian (might not be important to you since you’re a guy). Has more variety of fruit than Castilian.</p>
<p>Cons: You have to bring your own microwave. Elevators is a KNOWN problem. Castillian is more of a party dorm than Dobie (lady says they don’t have parties there - when she said that I don’t believe anything she says after).</p>
<p>BTW, computer science major here too.</p>
<p>Sorry, meant to put Dobie as a less party dorm as a pro/plus. Depends on your POV, I guess.</p>
<p>Thanks! Yeah I think I’m going with Dobie. I’ve also heard it’s slightly nicer than Castilian too. I was thinking of Callaway also but wasn’t sure because it’s more expensive and i’m not sure just how much greater it would be. </p>
<p>Castilian is undergoing major renovations ($10million) - so any run-down comment has to be looked at with a grain of salt. The renovation applies to the 2nd cheapest option though ($9230) and common areas. Saw the room and it’s really nice and of course what can beat “new”? Decided to go with Dobie because doesn’t matter how nice a room is if can’t sleep at night (because of noise). Dobie is also undergoing some renovations but to the big suites and common areas - less money ($4 million). Do think that Castillian is a TAD closer to the computer and science buildings. But if money and noise aren’t an issue for you, maybe Castilian would be better. Read all the facebook entries for both, and Dobie seemed like they have more activities. For the non-private rooms, you share a bathroom with 1 person at Dobie and with 3 people at Castilian. Dobie - housekeeping every week. Castilian - housekeeping once every 2 weeks.</p>
<p>Do want to qualify that we have seen Castilian but not Dobie so I hope we made the right choice.</p>