<p>I am really curious as to how the housing processing works. </p>
<li><p>Do I request a dorm, or am I just assigned on? </p></li>
<li><p>Does Amherst offer singles and suites? Because I’d be interested in both. </p></li>
<li><p>I am not really sure what kind of roommate I am looking for, maybe someone could help me figure that out. I have never shared a room before, so I don’t even know what I would like or dislike. </p></li>
<li><p>Do the rooms offer internet, or do I have to pay for that? </p></li>
<li><p>How appealing are the dorms anyway? Are there any I should avoid? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>When I called the school it was impossible to get in touch with anyone who could help me, so any word would be very much appreciated.</p>
<p>You will get a packet in June with a housing questionaire. You'll be able to order your choices such as single or double (there are VERY few singles.) As to roommates: you have a list of numbers from 1-5 to choose from about yourself such as neat/messy, etc. So, it's not like you pick your roomie, the housing people match based on personality and dorm choice.</p>
<p>The rooms and the quad all have free wireless and ethernet. The freshman dorms are all really nice - except for the mods (Plaza and Waldorf.) Williston has small rooms, although really nice. I'd say pick James and Stearns first. Appleton is the oldest renovated dorm (1999), although the rooms are some of the largest. It's downfall is pretty much that all of the other dorms have common rooms on each floor, and Appleton only has one small one. You'll have to number the dorms in order of preference. You probably won't get your first choice, though. Especially since everyone will most likely put James and Stearns as 1st and 2nd choice.</p>
<p>Coed bathrooms don't exist in freshman dorms. They're only in upperclass housing, and some upperclass housing is still segregated.</p>
<p>Bathrooms are usually 1 male 1 female/floor, 2 toilets 2 showers.
In the trailers, 1 male 1 female, 5 toilets 5 showers (since the trailers are only one floor)</p>
<p>out of curiosity, nervousmom, was your daughter in Pratt or Morrow freshman year?</p>
<p>For incoming '10s, Pratt and Morrow are now upperclass dorms, so they wouldn't be yours. All the freshman dorms now are segregated as far as bathrooms go</p>
<p>She was in Pratt- 4th floor. It was a great big, very old, run-down, two-room triple. It had 3 windows, a non-functional fireplace, and beautiful views. But I must say, I gasped when I first saw the bathroom. It had two toilet stalls with locking doors, but it had a single shower with shower curtains only. There was a urinal against the wall. She has brothers, so I knew it wouldn't be a big deal for her. </p>
<p>This year she is in the old white frat house up on the hill behind the Dickinson residence (Marsh, I think). It's now the "fine arts" house. The bathrooms are coed, but seem to have more privacy. It's a bit of a walk to campus, but I think she really liked it (and she stayed in shape all year). She had a horrible lottery draw last year, but still managed to get a very nice single and stay with about half of the kids in her "moving group." She had to somehow apply for this housing option, when she realized she couldn't follow the typical track for sophmore housing because of bad lottery pick. I think she feels very lucky that she fell into this housing situation. It's a beautiful building with huge social area on the first floor, so they've been able to host some fun events. </p>
<p>What a great place Amherst is! Congratulations to you lucky souls who will call it home next fall. D will be a RC next year, so she'll be living BACK in a freshman dorm- this time with more responsibilites. She had her last final yesterday and will be home tomorrow:)</p>
<p>Nervousmom, funny you should say she did the whole Marsh thing, as that is EXACTLY what I did during room draw this year. I got a bad pick, applied to Marsh, got in with a bunch of people I know, and am on track to live in a nice single on the first floor.</p>
<p>Regardingg Pratt, this building and Morrow were just renovated, or more accurately, just finishing being renovated. I'm sure they won't be as run down anymore. they are mostly Soph dorms due to the number of 1-room doubles, but promise to be very nice.</p>
<p>Yes, I've been up to visit twice this year and watched those renovations in action. It's very exciting to see these beautiful old structures restored. There has been lots of constuction (too much) during her two years at Amherst, but it seems to be settling down now.</p>
<p>I bet you'll love Marsh. It had such a warm and friendly feeling. The kids I met there were very nice, tho I suppose they all move out each year?</p>
<p>D was in Appleton (freshman sub-free) this last year and there were separate male and female bathrooms on the floors. She will be in Newport next year where she got #1 draw for single so she picked the old library - 3 big windoews, hardwood floor, and a fireplace all to herself! She and her friends are already planning on senior year, because most of them will be going overseas their junior year.</p>