Dorm Choices

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Chicago ✅
1

<p>Hello everyone.</p>

<p>Alright, so I still haven't been able to decide on a dorm. Everyone I ask, suggests a different dorm based on what I tell them (which is the same). So instead, I thought it would be better if I learned about each of the dorms and made a judgment on which 3 suited me the best. </p>

<p>I also think this will help a lot of other prospies, EA and RD, as I get the feeling that dorm culture and fit is important. </p>

<p>So could current students and or graduates post their thoughts on various dorms, with emphasis on dorm culture? I know there are like 10 residence halls, which can be a lot to write on, so write on as many as time permits :). </p>

<p>Thanks, this really helps us admits/prospies.</p>

2

<p>Hmmm, this is going to be rather biased, but I will try. You can find generic info (size of dorm, what rooms are like, etc. here: [Blackstone</a> Hall](<a href=“http://housing.uchicago.edu/undergraduate_housing/blackstone_hall.shtml]Blackstone”>http://housing.uchicago.edu/undergraduate_housing/blackstone_hall.shtml) )</p>

<p>Snell/Hitchock: Oldest dorm on campus, closest dorm to classes, old dorm = old building, a lot of people there are very “UChicago” – read: into Scav, doing random things, etc. --, Snell = Singles, Hitchcock = Doubles</p>

<p>Breckinridge: Another old dorm, far from campus (10 min. walk though there are buses), very close group of people, again pretty “UChicago” dorm, a lot of singles though still sociable</p>

<p>Blackstone: Another old dorm, far from campus (10 min. walk, again there are buses though slightly less convenient than Breck), people tend to be less tight-knit and do things on there own</p>

<p>Broadview: Similar to Blackstone but with private bathroom</p>

<p>Burton-Judson: Similar reputation to Breck/Snitchcock (Snell & Hitchcock), though slightly less “UChicago.” Rooms tend to be bigger</p>

<p>Maclean: Honestly, know very little. People I know from there are a bit obscure…</p>

<p>Max P/South/Pierce: All tend to be more typical college dorms (though all houses are slightly different) with parties, etc. Lots of athletes in Max, South is the newest dorm (feels like living in a hotel for a lot of people), rooms in Pierce are TINY (the size of doubles in Pierce are not much larger than singles in most other dorms)</p>

<p>Stony: Kind of far from campus (again there are buses though), they are basically apartments who share with 3 other people…More meant of people who are more ready to be on their own but still want to be in housing system.</p>

<p>Hope that helps :)</p>

3

<p>Well, I live in Pierce so I guess I can give a little more info on it. </p>

<p>Yes, Pierce rooms are generally smaller. But, I think most people who live here find, you don’t spend all too much time just sitting in your room. Most people do two things in their room: 1) sleep, and 2) study. And a lot of people I know don’t even study in their rooms… they do that in the Reg or the lounge or a few of the many places to study on campus that isn’t their room. That being said, the rooms aren’t so small that there isn’t enough room for your stuff… and pictures on the internet make them seem a lot smaller than they actually are. Not once have I ever felt inconvenienced or closed in in Pierce or my room. </p>

<p>Pierce houses generally have exceptional house culture, which draws a lot of people out of their rooms. The lounges are two-stories and quite spacious. My only complaint about them is that they don’t have any windows, so it can get a little warm sometimes. Pierce houses are small, so everyone knows everyone.</p>

<p>We’re not all too far from campus (four blocks from Harper, so about a 12 min walk). We’re also on the same block as Henry Crown and one block over from Ratner, so a lot of people work out regularly. We’re a block and half from the Reg, which is nice… but Max is closer. </p>

<p>Most importantly, we’re the only dorm that has a dining hall built in. Granted, South is literally 10 steps from their dining hall and Max East is about 30 seconds from Bartlett, but we don’t have to go outside to eat. So, for example, last night when the windchill was about 10, I wore slippers to dinner. It’s just really really really nice not to have to plan your day around the logistics of eating, because the dining is literally RIGHT THERE. </p>

<p>Oh, and if you’re looking for a single, there are usually 8-15 singles in each house, most of which are second years, but first years get some, too. Also, EPIC VIEWS of Campus/Hyde Park and the lake/the sunset/DOWNTOWN CHICAGO.</p>

4

<p>In response to -CS, I have to say that Broadview houses are actually VERY tight-knit because of the distance from campus. People tend to hang out together a lot since it’s harder to go hang out on the main campus. Also, the buses are very convenient. The 171 (to campus) stops at the end of the block, as do the 55 and the 6 (to the Loop). The 10 also stops in front of MSI, which is a block away. And the Central stops in front of Broadview, and the East stops at the end of the block.</p>

5

<p>Like I said, I have a biased view on things (I don’t know everyone). I definitely agree that buses at Broadview are convenient, though I think they might be a bit more convenient at Breck, ;-).</p>

6

<p>Definitely check out the Admissions Blog’s Dorm of the Day posts! I found them really helpful when I was deciding.</p>

<p><a href=“https://blogs.uchicago.edu/collegeadmissions/dorm_of_the_day/[/url]”>https://blogs.uchicago.edu/collegeadmissions/dorm_of_the_day/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>If UChicago houses were firms:</p>

<p>Max Palevsky : Accenture</p>

<p>South Campus : Bank of America</p>

<p>Snell-Hitchcock : Berkshire Hathaway</p>

<p>Burton-Judson : BCG</p>

<p>Blackstone : Blackstone</p>

<p>Pierce : UBS</p>

<p>and of course, Shoreland is Lehman Brothers :)</p>

8

<p>And if they were dogs: Broadview would be a German Shepherd Dog, smart, loyal, hardworking and handsome.</p>