<p>My D lived in Donlon and my son is in Mews. Donlon’s rooms are small compared to Mews for a double. Daughter loved Donlon but it was noisy so she often went to the library to study or the common room on her floor. When a neighbor comes home a 2am, that noise travels well in the building so everyone hears it.</p>
<p>Mews is new and is well thought out with how the rooms are laid out. Usually 3 rooms share a bathroom ( same sex). There are also multiple kitchens and common rooms on a floor. The Mews layout does not seem to prevent socializing but you just don’t see other students there like you do in Donlon where the doors are always open. I am surprised that my son says his dorm is not very social but for some reason doors are always closed and the kids don’t hang out in the common room. At Donlon there were always students studying there or hanging out.</p>
<p>Girls in Balch seem to like it generally but often go elsewhere to socialize or join sororities.</p>