<p>I checked out Michigan's website, but I'm still confused on a few things:</p>
<p>1) Are dorms first-come, first-serve, lottery, etc.?</p>
<p>2) Do you pick the dorm, or only the location (central, hill, north)?</p>
<p>3) Can someone give me tips on which dorms/areas are best, or what they're each like? Also, which ones are close to which academic wings (ie sci, humanities, etc.)?</p>
<p>4) Lastly, when do you sign up for them?</p>
<p>THANKS!!!</p>
<p>I can only answer #3.</p>
<p>Location wise, best dorms are South Quad, West Quad, Cambridge, Barbour/Newberry (all girls dorm), Marth Cook (all girls). However, these dorms have some of the worst rooms. Couzens, Alice Lloyd Markley and Mosher Jordan (will be open next year) aren't that far from central, and you can catch a bus if you want to. The rooms in Couzens and Alice Lloyd are pretty good. Oxford is a little far, but has nice rooms and buildings. North isn't so bad if you're an Engineering major, but it sucks if all your classes are on central. Bursley on North is quite nice, but Northwood and Baits are quite far.</p>
<p>East Quad is the worst in my opinion. The location is good, but there's just so much construction going on around it that it makes the place look so ugly. Also, the rooms stink and the food is terrible.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure housing is just a lottery, unless you're in a learning community, in which case you (usually) get put in the associated dorm. Honors college is the only possible exception, because of the popularity of South Quad with returning students.</p>
<p>You only choose Central, Hill, or North campus. If you think of them as a hierarchy (central top, hill middle, north bottom), the only thing that's really guaranteed is that you won't be put somewhere higher than what you requested. You could "request" a single on central campus and still be put in a quad up in bursley.</p>
<p>Ah, ok. So central is probably the most popular, i'm guessing, but also houses the most students?</p>
<p>thanks, this was extremely helpful.</p>
<p>I'd say go for central, even if you're an engineer. As an engineer, you should only have one class per term on North Campus so that's not really an issue. Most Hill dorms are pretty nice, as are most (cough not East Quad cough) of the Central dorms.</p>
<p>After you're accepted and you've paid your fees you can apply for housing. I believe they gave me a choice between Bursley (big North Campus dorm), Baits (smaller North dorm) or Central/Hill area. As long as you get your application in before the deadline you're in the lottery, so there's no real reason to pay early unless you want to get it done or are sure you're coming here.</p>
<p>You do have a chance to swap rooms after you get your assignment (late summer) but other than that you're pretty much stuck with what you got. You'll make the best of it; for a freshmen there's really no "bad" dorm (and plus you'll quickly bond with your peers through mock misery if you're not so lucky).</p>
<p>Haha, thanks gamefreak. I'm a sci major, but more in the area of bio and env. sci than engineering. I think I'll ask for central and hope for the best. But I know that's what everyone wants, so I guess I'll just have to wait and see what I end up will. Hopefully it isn't East lol! After they give you your dorm location, do they also assign you a specific dorm, or do you just pick. I think it's assigned, right? </p>
<p>Which are the best of the central dorms, just out of curiosity?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know the best way to get to Ann Arbor from Detroit if I wanted to visit over winter break? I was told there aren't any shuttles, because few students are left on campus....</p>
<p>Thanks again, you are all so helpful :)</p>
<p>Gotta agree with Nick, East Quad aka Odd Quad isn't the best pick.</p>
<p>Thanks, hopefully I'll be able to avoid that.</p>
<p>What about, does anyone have any opinion as to what housing option (double, triple, or quad) is best and why?</p>
<p>You don't really get to pick your exact housing option - you rank your preference among a tier of pricing options. I'd say if you can afford it, go with the standard double/quad tier. There really isn't in my mind any advantage in getting a single. </p>
<p>I'd be surprised if there isn't a shuttle of some kind running to UM from Detroit. Try this link for a list of private services: <a href="http://www.onsp.umich.edu/docs/Airport%20Transportation.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.onsp.umich.edu/docs/Airport%20Transportation.pdf</a></p>
<p>(taken from Office</a> of New Student Programs | Orientation | Directions | Airport - University of Michigan)</p>
<p>As far as the best Central dorm: its probably either West Quad or South Quad. West Quad I believe has more of an "artsy" culture about it while South has more of the "athletes". Both have good rooms, good dining halls, and good locations. You'll know your dorm and room type sometime mid-summer and you'll get your roommate's info towards the end of the summer (I believe I knew my dorm assignment before my orientation but I didn't know my roommates yet). You can also choose to room with a friend, but having some new people in your room/hall is a great way to make new friends :)</p>
<p>Thanks, that's exactly what I needed. No one else from my school will be attending Michigan, so I'll definitely room with someone I don't know. I looked at the housing website and the dorms you mentioned looked pretty good. I especially like South Quad, but I'm not a recruited athlete, so I doubt I'll get it.</p>
<p>You definitely have a shot -- I've got some friends from high school in SQ. It's all about getting lucky in the lottery :)</p>
<p>"Also, does anyone know the best way to get to Ann Arbor from Detroit if I wanted to visit over winter break? I was told there aren't any shuttles, because few students are left on campus...."</p>
<p>game: haha, yes, i'll be sure to eat lucky charms that morning (ok, that was lame, but still...)</p>
<p>dilksy: thanks so much :)</p>