Deciding where to Live

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

<p>I've been trying to get a start on deciding where I want to live next year, but I'm feeling incredibly overwhelmed. I've only visited Northwestern once and I don't know much about it other than the academic aspects.</p>

<p>So basically I need help. I'lve looked at NU housing website. Reading through past threads about housing on cc and facebook have told me pretty much nothing except people have strongs feelings about their residential colleges/dorms. I think that I'll be fine wherever I live because I've come to realize that college is what you make of it, but would love some advice.</p>

<p>Right now I think I want to live in a residential college. I'm interested in Slivka, Jones, Williard, and Shepard. </p>

<p>I'll be a communcation sciences and disorders major (school of communications). I'm thinking of double majoring with Spanish or English. I love running and playing sports. I'm not much of a partier, but I do want to go out some on weekends. I also love music. I sing and play the viola. I'm pretty studious, but I do like to have fun. I don't think it's neccessary to get drunk to have fun. I have absolutely no idea where to live and know no current students, so please help!</p>

2

<p>I'm an incoming frosh too, but based on what you've said I'd say Willard or Shepard. Any upperclassmen/alumni have some advice?</p>

3

<p>I think it's sort of a mistake to say "I'm a res college sort of person" and put a bunch of res colleges instead of dorms. Res colleges are like 90% the same as dorms, with a few more activities and a little more sense of community. However, each is VERY different and they all have unique "personalities" much like dorms do. Someone who likes Willard would probably like the dorm Allison more than another res college like Slivka.</p>

<p>Based on your interest in music and a decent non-wild social life, I'd say Shepard sounds like a good fit, but you'd probably be fine in most places down south, res college or dorm.</p>

4

<p>I said "Right now I think I want to live in a residential college" not I am absolutely against living in a dorm. From what I read off the web pages those res colleges sounded interesting. Thanks for the info about Allison. I'm really open to any suggestions.</p>

5

<p>slivka is the engineering res coll. why would you want to live there if you're an engineer, not to mention its on the opposite side of campus from where most of your classes would be</p>

6

<p>I'm majoring in economics as an incoming freshman, so which dorms/res. colleges are close to where my classes will be???</p>

7

<p>Well a lot of my classes would be in the Frances Searle building, which is in North campus. I know that Spanish and English classes would be on the opposite side, but I'm not sure if I will even pursue a double-major. I'm pretty set on communication sciences and disorders from what they told me I would have most of my classes in the North part of campus</p>

8

<p>I'm undecided at Weinberg; outgoing, fun-loving (as most people claim, but it's true!) and want a good study environment when necessary. I'll definitely be trying out clubs in Chi-town, but no heavy drinking or random hook-ups. Any housing suggestions? Now that I've indirectly advertised myself? ;)</p>

9

<p>im going as an econ major.
i think most of my classes are going to be in south campus right??</p>

<p>so i was wondering what dorms are located in the south campus and what kind are they?</p>

10

<p>anna- Even though you will have some classes in Searle, you'll need to take distribution classes that are most of the time down south. English and spanish classes will definitely be down south. I think you should seriously consider Allison. I didn't live there but I have friends who do. It's definitely got the location of south campus and pretty big rooms with air conditioning and a food court. Also whenever you want to go out the trek up north to the frats or whatever isn't that bad. As for the res colleges I dont know much so I dont have much to say except most people I know from willard are really content with it.</p>

11

<p>RCs are lame. Live at Allison.</p>

12

<p>^^^ I think Econ classes are sometimes in the Tech too though, and that's North Campus.</p>

13

<p>My DD just told me about a new dorm that will be available starting with this coming year...."Group Residence for Environmental Engagement at Northwestern, or GREEN. I know, very appropriate. :)".
She is really excited about it!</p>

14

<p>Applied to Bobb Hall and the new dorm, Green. Anybody know the chances of getting first or second choices? Applied the day after app went online</p>

15

<p>Where is Green going to be located? Is it a rename of one of the old dorms?</p>

16

<p>Here's an article about the Green dorm ...</p>

<p>Dorm to offer 'green' living
New house will serve 20 students Fall Quarter
Sara Peck
Issue date: 5/2/08 Section: Campus
PrintEmail Article Tools Page 1 of 1 Universities all over the country have established special housing for students interested in 'green' living. Starting this fall, Northwestern will join them with a new environmentally sustainable residential college for 20 students.</p>

<p>The Group Residence for Environmental Engagement at Northwestern, or GREEN, House might include features such as eco-friendly cleaning supplies, low-flow shower heads, independent composting and halogen lighting fixtures, said Weinberg junior Jesse Sleamaker, a co-chairman of Students for Ecological and Environmental Development.</p>

<p>The GREEN House will be located in an existing North Campus dormitory, said Mark D'Arienzo, associate director for university housing. D'Arienzo said he will announce the name of the dorm after speaking with the building's residents Monday night.</p>

<p>"At first I thought jumping into this in April for September might be cutting things really close, but SEED wanted to strike while the iron was hot," D'Arienzo said.</p>

<p>The community will center on "three pillars" - examined lifestyle, education and service, said Sleamaker, a Daily columnist. </p>

<p>Prospective residents, including incoming freshmen, will have to answer a few short essay questions regarding their interest in sustainability as well as their lifestyle and "environmental background," Sleamaker said. A student committee will evaluate applications and select residents. </p>

<p>Prairie Project coordinator Jackie Beard said residents hope to organize service trips to the northern branch of the Chicago River to restore prairie areas, hold student-lead seminars and strongly encourage residents to take classes in environmental science or environmental policy. </p>

<p>"Our idea is for residents to look critically at how they use resources and be aware of the choices they're making because everything you do has a greater significance," said Beard, a Weinberg freshman.</p>

<p>Sleamaker said he wants the house to develop a personality separate from SEED and other environmental student groups, even if group members plan to live in the dorm. </p>

<p>"This is not the SEED House," he said. "One of our challenges is to be creating that distance and creating our own identity." </p>

<p>Residents will have to re-present the project to the housing committee for the 2009-10 year, D'Arienzo said.. </p>

<p>"They will have to provide concrete empirical data to show what impact the house has had," D'Arienzo said. "We will be very excited if they can fill it." </p>

<p>It is likely that the house will change locations after next year, Sleamaker said. He and Beard envision significant renovations being made to another building to make it more environmentally-friendly, and possibly an eco-friendly dining facility for residents.</p>

<p>"I'm optimistic for the next year, but the start will be less than smooth," Sleamaker said. "This is the largest step NU has taken in a long time, equal to or greater than establishing the environmental science program." </p>

<p>While NU is beginning its first environmentally sustainable dorm, other schools, such as University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University and Tufts University, have much larger collaborations already in place.</p>

<p>The Stanford University Living Green project is a collaborative effort between Stanford's housing offices and several student environmental sustainability groups. The project was instituted seven years ago, and includes upgrades in infrastructure to campus dormitories as well as educational outreach opportunities for students. Dormitory upgrades include new shower heads, toilets and modifications to faucets to reduce water consumption.</p>

<p>The program was started through a combination of student interest in saving resources as well as the housing offices' interest in increasing efficiency to cut spending.</p>

<p>Living Green has saved the university almost $6 million since it was instituted seven years ago, said Nik Kaestner, Stanford's student housing sustainability coordinator.</p>

<p>"There's a growing awareness of these issues," Kaestner said. "We're trying to create a movement here. There's been an increase in awareness, since there's a representative from the Green Living Council at every dorm."</p>

<p>Student groups such as Students for a Sustainable Stanford and the Green Living Council partner with student housing to run education programs about the importance of changing behaviors, such as decreasing water and heat consumption, and run events such as the school's annual Conservation Cup.</p>

<p>Though it's unclear how many students will end up applying to live in the GREEN House, one incoming freshman, Rebecca TeKolste, said she might choose NU's newest housing option. </p>

<p>I'm going to try to do a lot of things (at NU), and I don't know if I'll have the time," TeKolste said. "We'll see what next year brings."</p>

<p>Read the student proposal submitted to administrators for the GREEN House by clicking</p>

17

<p>So where is it?</p>

18

<p>North Campus - 2251 Sheridan Road</p>

<p>New</a> green residence to replace Transfer House for next year - Campus</p>

19

<p>does anyone know if the housing is done randomly after the deadline, or if priority if given on a first come first serve basis??</p>

20

<p>Deadline has nothing to do with it, it is definitely not first come first serve. Dorms are done more or less randomly, and res colleges are done based on application.</p>