<p>I’m currently a freshman living in CIW and I’m going to live there again next year (although in a different building). Personally I’m really biased and have loved living in CIW, but I think there’s pros and cons to all of them, and you’ll love where ever you go because that’s where you’ll meet your closest friends.</p>
<p>Here’s some stuff to consider about each one:</p>
<p>Hinman: One of the two remaining “old” communities. All suites. The suites are pretty decent size and Hinman is literally right across from lecture hall, so it’s a convenient location.</p>
<p>CIW: The other remaining “old” community. It’s also the only community with a mix of corridor style and suites. Like Hinman, CIW also has a really great location that’s right across from the union and pretty central within the campus. The suites aren’t as nice as Hinman’s or Mountainview’s, but still cool. If you live in a corridor style room you share a bathroom that has 2 showers with about 20 people, but it’s really not as bad as it sounds. From my own personal experience, I’ve really liked CIW because it feels like a close-knit community and everyone is really social, but I’m sure you’ll feel at home no matter which one you choose.</p>
<p>Mountainview: Definitely the nicest suites. The location kind of sucks because you have to walk up a decent sized slope, but the view from the dining hall is pretty cool. Some people I know in Mountainview have complained that it’s not very social and everyone pretty much just talks to the people in their own suite, but I’d take that with a grain of salt because I’ve heard people who absolutely love it too. Something else to consider is that Mountainview was the first community to close in housing sign ups this year. When you sign up for housing, you get priority for the community you already live in. So if you don’t decide to live in Mountainview now, it’ll be harder to get into next year than the other communities.</p>
<p>Dickinson: These dorms are brand new because the old Dickinson won’t be in use for the first time ever next year. Apparently they’re going to have “flats” which are like suites but there’s not really a common room, just a small hallway that connects the rooms and bathroom. There’s 4 person and 5 person flats. The 4 person flats are all single rooms and the 5 person flats have 2 doubles and 1 single. They sound pretty cool but I’d rather live in a suite than a flat just to have the common space where everyone can hang out together.</p>
<p>Newing: Newing is all corridor style but unlike CIW, every 3 rooms share 1 bathroom, so you’d have to share a bathroom with less people. The location isn’t that good; it’s the furthest walk from the classroom buildings. Also, Newing is known for being where the people in Greek Life live, which might be good or bad depending on what you’re looking for.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision!</p>