Choosing Residence Halls

<p>My daughter lived in Torrey her first year and Safford the second. She'll be in Pearsons next year. She felt that Torrey was great for first years because it was large (as it goes at MHC) and so there were more students to meet easily. It also has an elevator and hot breakfast service...which are nice. She absolutely adored Safford and loved being on the green. (Safford will be off line for much needed renovations next semester.) She was thrilled to draw Pearsons, with it's location so close to the library, where she loves to work.</p>

<p>As far as I know, none of the dorms have air conditioning. </p>

<p>Here's an interesting article written in advance of the new dorm being built: <a href="http://www.alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/quarterly/fall06/dorm.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/quarterly/fall06/dorm.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Above all, remember that you may not get one of your "choice" dorms your first year (my daughter didn't)...but it's the people you meet that count...not the building!</p>

<p>Thanks, icesk8mom.</p>

<p>You will most likely NOT be placed in a triple. The Office of Residential Life is attempting to get rid of all of the triples on campus, because of the existence of the New Dorm. That means that those of you who are scared that you'll end up in one will probably NOT. I already know that a few of the Pearsons triples have been converted to doubles, and a few in Mead as well. Res Life is trying to place all incoming students in doubles. You cannot live in a single as an incoming first-year.</p>

<p>MacGregor and the New Dorm are both pretty far from academic buildings, but if you're a sports person, choose MacGregor. If you are a music person, chose the New Dorm. If you're a history person: New Dorm. Psych person: MacGregor. </p>

<p>I'm going to be a junior, and I can answer any questions you have. Do NOT just list the New Dorm. When I applied, I got the dorm that I requested on my form. </p>

<p>If you have any questions, I'll be around to answer them. Welcome to Mount Holyoke! :)</p>

<p>Hey chihuahua. I'm going to be a student at MHC this fall and noticed that on another post you mentioned how much you dislike South Hadley (I visited campus twice and can't say the town was a selling point). How often do people try to make it to Boston or NY? Thanks!</p>

<p>Not often. You have Northampton and Amherst in the area and that is really all you will need while you're at school. It's not that I hate South Hadley, it's just that I hate how there is nothing in South Hadley. I would not go to Amherst or Smith if you PAID me. Being isolated really is a good thing sometimes. We have no pharmacy or CVS in the general area, though, so you will find yourself making many trips to the drugstore in Amherst or NoHo. </p>

<p>The reason I chose MHC is because I'm at school to study, not to go out and do stuff. If I want something, I can go off campus when I'm taking a class or on a weekend to pick something up in town. Also, many Mt Holyoke College students spend their Friday and Saturday nights at Amherst parties. You get around the isolation and you will get used to ir fairly quickly. Trips to NYC and Boston = costly/not worth it if you don't live in one of those cities. Even if you do live in one of these cities, you will find that visiting the is only worthwhile when you actually have a break (as I have found). </p>

<p>I see you are from a city, too! You will get used to the difference and at times entirely forget that you are in the middle of nowhere. </p>

<p>I'm a cynic and I always look at the negative things, but South Hadley is <em>beautiful</em>, the campus is breathtaking, and the administration is just fine. You will love it. </p>

<p>Again, if you have any other questions, I will be happy to answer them!</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the reply. It is very reassuring to know that someone was able to make the transition from a city to a small town. I too did not pick MH for its location but rather for its academics. I went to an admitted student day at Smith and many of the students kept mentioning how much better their location is in comparison to MH. Sure, Northampton is much more lively but I found the people at MH to be so much more diverse and interesting.</p>

<p>I felt like at most of my urban or suburban schools (BU, Brandeis, George Washington) it would be difficult to focus (but that's just me). I actually almost went to Bates which is waaay more isolated than MH. :)</p>

<p>I only mentioned Boston because I have a lot of family there which I guess would make it easier (at least cost wise).</p>

<p>Thanks again for your reply. I loved everything about MH when I visited (minus the women's college aspect but I'm getting over that). All of the students were so friendly and seemed genuinely excited about the school. I can't wait! :)</p>