<p>What is life at Collins like? I know it's a Living Learning Center and you have to take extra classes, but is it fun living there? Also, I've heard that the students there are only focused on academics and are really unfriendly. Is this true?
I plan on attending in fall of '12, and I'm really interested in the concept of Collins. Thanks for the help!!</p>
<p>I did not live in Collins, nor did I know anyone who did, nor have I ever even been into any part of the building other than their food court, which was probably only 4 or 5 times all year.</p>
<p>It’s the most liberal place on campus to live, and to describe the vibe, think Harry Potter, Magic/Pokemon/YugiOh, actual magic, witchcraft, etc.<br>
There were always kids running around in witches and warriors costumes and reinacting scenes from comic books and novels and stuff like that.
The kids who lived there, despite being very liberal, dressed pretty conservatively.
They have their own coffee shop that’s open at night and they have open mic and stuff. They make you feel very unwelcome if you come eat in their foodcourt. But everyone seemes pretty happy.</p>
<p>I went to IU again two weeks ago. I just realized that Collins is pretty close (~5 min) to Sample Gates and the near-by restaurants. Students probably can go there around mid-night w/o too much problem? The soccer field and tennis courts are just across the street. Hutton and Union are 3-5 minutes away. It is less than 10 minutes to Kelley / science buildings /auditorium. Food should be good. No need to worry about being stared at. May be you don’t look as bad as you think. 
No air conditioning is probably the only draw back.</p>
<p>I think of Collins highly. I’ve met so many friends there and the atmosphere there is incredibly friendly, even though I’ve never lived in Collins. Students there are more sociable and laid back than in other dorms and it’s just such a different feel there because of the architecture and style. Their dining hall is like “inspired” by the Great Hall in Harry Potter. It was amusing when they had banners hanging from the ceilings. It’s just an overall great, cordial vibe there. It’s definitely a lot more liberal than other areas and has the reputation as the “hippy” dorm but it’s really just liberal and chill. It has a great courtyard where students will hang out, play, study, read, etc. when its warm. No other dorm has a courtyard like Collins. </p>
<p>I’ve eaten in their food court quite a few times with friends (who are either Collins residents or from other dorms, especially my McNutt and Teter friends) and have never felt any kind of unfriendliness while there. They don’t care if you’re from another dorm. </p>
<p>The big negative to me is definitely the lack of air conditioning. I need air conditioning or else I have a really hard time sleeping.</p>
<p>I currently live in Collins as a freshman. I have to say that wherever you heard of Collins being “unfriendly” is a terrible, terrible source. Since the minute I got there, I felt EXTREMELY welcome. Everyone says hi, no one looks at your funny no matter what you do, and I’ve met at least 20 awesome people I can see myself becoming very good friends with.</p>
<p>That being said, Collins is not for everyone. People drink, but you won’t be drinking in the hallways and having huge loud parties with students who want to join greek life. Collins has much more of that “stoner” laid back vibe, where groups of friends hang out and get messed up, but not like you see in the movies. Also, if you’re in any way judgemental (and I’m definitely not saying you are!), Collins isn’t going to be the right place for you. There are some super weird people here, but for Collins, that is the norm. Everyone is very respectful and no one is going to talk crap about you. But if you do try to make a snide comment about someone, be prepared to be met with a blank stare. Collins is the smallest dorm on campus, and it really fosters a tight knit community. </p>
<p>There are some downsides. I get frustrated because the dining hall is open at really inconvenient hours. There is NO AIR-CONDITIONING. You can get one installed, but if you don’t, the first few weeks there are miserable. But once you get past that, you can hang out with all of the great friends you made. Oh, and did I mention that it looks like Hogwarts? Collins, without a doubt, has the most beautiful and definitely BEST location of any dorm on campus.</p>
<p>Both Collins and READ offer “all you care to eat” dinner for 3.6 I-Bucks which is equivalent to $6.50. The menu seems to be pretty decent. My sons have been going there whenever it is convenient.</p>