<p>I have gone to the Haverford website which gives general information about the dorms, but I was looking for firsthand feedback regarding which dorms are more socially involved...newer... basically the pros and cons of the three options - and the chances of getting a single as a freshman. I also noticed that there was no AC in the dorms, does this really affect confort levels in the warmer months? And finally what is Haverford's policy on overnight guests staying in their dorms?</p>
<p>All the dorms have been renovated, so, although each was built in a different decade, they’re all comfortable and maintained.</p>
<p>HCA:
+ kitchen, +living room, + can go off meal plan 2nd semester of 1st year, +temp control
+/- roommate, +/- apartment mates
-the walk (about 7 minutes to Founders… use to be worse when there was no campus center or gym on south campus), - you have to clean your own bathroom</p>
<p>Gummere:
+ decent sized single rooms
-occasional parties thrown in the basement may be noisy</p>
<p>Barclay:
+central location, +views, mostly singles
-the singles are smaller than Gummere and the “middle room” isn’t a true single</p>
<p>In terms of personalities, there will be greater variation between floors/halls/apartments than between dorms. My impression is that if you want a single, you can get one as enough students choose the apartments to allow this.</p>
<p>The heat and humidity can be bad in the summer months, but fortunately, most students are not there during that time. It’s pretty temperate in the fall and spring. You may want a small fan.</p>
<p>I don’t believe there's an explicit guest policy. If your question pertains to friends and significant others staying over,... welcome to college! Just use common sense.</p>
<p>Thanks hcalum!</p>
<p>Hi!</p>
<p>While HCAlum is pretty much correct, I thought I'd add a little...</p>
<p>HCA: While very social freshmen are happy in the apartments, many quiet frosh feel isolated. HCA parties are loud, and the drinking scene is rather big. Also, I am not sure freshmen are ever able to get off of the meal plan. The apartments are wonderful in that you have more room for yourself (despite being in a double). Cooking is awesome, as is showering without flip-flops. The apartments generally feel more like home. Know that you will have pleeenty of time to live in the apartments as a sophomore, junior, or senior.</p>
<p>Gummere: Gummere is fine. The dorm was recently renovated (I believe last year) and has new paint, carpeting, and furniture. The location is pretty great, too, as it is situated a few hops away from the gym and campus center. Gummere generally has only singles (there was a year in which the common rooms were used as doubles). Unfortunately, the walls and cinderblock and the showers are small and a little gross. As HCAlum mentioned, the parties can be loud. In my experience, Gummere is somewhat more eclectic than Barclay.</p>
<p>Barclay: Barclay is definitely my favorite choice for freshmen. The dorm is beautiful, inside and out. I actually think, though, that most Barclay frosh live in doubles, though I have never actually counted. The three-room triples are very small, though people seem alright with them. Barclay has a great community feel and is close to everything. In general, Barclay frosh seem to be socially outgoing, though studious. While Barclay is generally quieter than HCA and Gummere, certain customs groups are known to be loud.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>