<p>Does anyone know what are the pros and cons between the different housing at american?</p>
<p>hey, i'm currently finishing up my freshman yr. at au, and moving from leonard to letts second semester definitely improved my au experience...leonard is really secluded, and houses a lot of less-social types...like they'll party, but they'd rather stay in their dorms and drink then go to a frat party or club...also, the atmosphere is really claustrophobic, each floor is a straight hallway with rooms directly across and next to each other...a lot of south side rooms are more spread out, which helps control noise...a big plus when you just wanna sleep! the dorms in leonard are way crappier then the ones in letts...i moved in and wanted to cry; my carpet was faded and stained, my wood furniture had disgusting dirt and stains, and there's less drawer space...if you're an incoming freshman i would definitely recommend living in anderson or letts...you'll meet so many more people bc the dorms are connected and that's where most of the freshman end up...it's just such a less depressing place, people are always coming and going and you're easily able to find something to do by just stepping out into the la quad (area b/w the dorms) bc there'll be a ton of people waiting for rides to parties or just hanging out...basically, you'll actually feel like you're in college...and the shuttle always waits around forever for south side people to get on, and since it's the first stop, you're almost guaranteed to get a seat...get on at the north side stop and you'll probably end up standing the whole way to tenley...i guess one annoying thing about south side is the fire alarms, which happen fairly frequently and at really inconvenient times, but you don't actually have to go out...i always just chill in my room and i've never been caught...i can't really speak about hughes and mcdowell, the other dorms on north side (where leonard is), but i'd definitely advise you to live on south side (where letts and anderson are)...so there's my 2 cents...good luck w/ your decision!</p>
<p>After my visit there, I can basically say what most people on the web say. North side dorms are the quiet "intellectual" dorms where people are more introverted and tend to bond with their halls. Unless you're really attracted to the idea of living with a lot of internationals, I'd go with Mcdowell. If you're in the honors program, head to the Hughes honors floors. </p>
<p>If you're the more social type, then south side is definitely for you. Some like Anderson and Letts, some don't. Some say they are dirtie;, some say they are cleaner.</p>
<p>Just choose the dorm with your personality type. North side people have an inherently quite atmosphere and can always chill at the south for fun. South side people can be constantly surrounded by an active atmosphere, but you can't get away from it as much.</p>
<p>Most of all, I found almost everyone loves whatever dorm they are in.</p>
<p>"Just choose the dorm with your personality type. North side people have an inherently quite atmosphere and can always chill at the south for fun. South side people can be constantly surrounded by an active atmosphere, but you can't get away from it as much."</p>
<p>being a current student at AU, I can vouch that this is wrong</p>
<p>1) "and [north siders] can always chill at the south for fun."</p>
<p>no no no. The only way a person from north side can come and chill on south side, is if they have a person who lives on the south side complex come and claim them. A person from north side, just can't waltz up 2 the s. side of campus for some fun.
Also if you don't live on the s. side, its kinda weird for a person to always be hanging around. People tend to chill in the dorms (like in the lounges) with people on their floor, or friends of people on their floor (ie: late night study sessions. It is a long haul for a person to bring all their stuff from the n. side of campus 2 the s. side of campus 2 do hwk together.) </p>
<p>2) "south side people can be constantly surrounded by an active atmosphere, but you can't get away from it as much."</p>
<p>NOT TRUE. There are honors floors in letts and and, these people need quiet as well. A lot of people have the wrong idea about the side side of campus. Yes there are more people, but it doesn't mean that people don't work/ study. On a tues morn at 3:53, i don't have trouble sleeping in letts hall becuase their is a "party" outside, rather its the opposite. I just finished a paper in the lounge (btw each floor has 2 quite study lounges) and now I'm off 2 sleep. My room faces the LA quad (the typical hang out area, like where people get rides, go out to smoke, etc) and what do i hear? nothing. Thats becuase people are sleeping, because college students do sleep/ do hwk. </p>
<p>The summer before my frosh year, i have to admit that i was scared living on the south side of campus, becuase i;m really not that m uch into partying. But then I came 2 AU and realized that the south side rep is SO trumped up. </p>
<p>If you decide to live on the south side, you have nothing to worry about. It is quiet and I have no trouble getting my homwork done (for example i have NEVER had to go to the library to get my hwk done, becasue people on my floor were being 2 loud)</p>
<p>In the end, there will be people who are study freaks, who don't leave their rooms, who live on s. side, and there will be crazy people who live on n. side. In the end, you have to decide what matters most 2 you. </p>
<p>If you want a small hall, with deep personal relationships with everyone on your hall, if you a quiet person and you care about being closer to the WARD & Katzen building, then go North side</p>
<p>If you want to be closer to McKinnley, and Asbery, if you want the LA quad right by your window, if you like to be around people, and if you like the ability to be able to access any dorm on the south side of campus, then go s. side. </p>
<p>I am a frosh right now living in letts and next year i will be living in Letts again. My two friends who live on the north side now, are moving to Letts next year. </p>
<p>One has 2 realize that dorming situations, esp your frosh year doesn't really matter. I mean its only where you sleep. There aren't rules that like you can't talk 2, have lunch with, or date a person who lives on n. side, if you live on south side. Plus, if you relaize that you HATE where you are living, there are SO many opportunities to swicth dorms/ sides of campus. </p>
<p>good luck w/ your decision!!!!!!</p>
<p>okay reading your opinion again totally comforted me haha.
i'll be in letts or anderson next fall w/my roomie who is from ecuador!!!
i'm soooooo excited!
so everyone should dorm on the southside because that's where we'll be hah</p>
<p>I'm speaking about dorms. Everyone is going to be pretty subjective about this. When I asked AU students about dorms, everyone had a totally different opinion (mostly very partial to their dorm). I'm talking like at least 15 students there. Take everything anyone says about these dorms with a grain of salt and like hotpink said much of the difference in dorms is probably overblown. I was only on campus for two days and I didn't get to see everyday life. I'm speaking from what I've heard from other resources and a little bit from what I saw. My host was very adamant that I should live on the north side because he said I wouldn't enjoy the atmosphere as much. A Leonard person I met was very adamant that their facilities were great while my host's roommate ridiculed her for it. </p>
<p>Your post does contradict itself a little though. </p>
<p>You say "There aren't rules that like you can't talk 2, have lunch with, or date a person who lives on n. side, if you live on south side." If that's true, you'll be hanging on the south side quite a bit. Though, you say "no no no. The only way a person from north side can come and chill on south side, is if they have a person who lives on the south side complex come and claim them. A person from north side, just can't waltz up 2 the s. side of campus for some fun.
Also if you don't live on the s. side, its kinda weird for a person to always be hanging around. People tend to chill in the dorms (like in the lounges) with people on their floor, or friends of people on their floor (ie: late night study sessions. It is a long haul for a person to bring all their stuff from the n. side of campus 2 the s. side of campus 2 do hwk together.)" </p>
<p>I don't mean to attack you and you have given some good information to us prospectives about AU. But everyone is biased. You did once say that living on the north side is "social suicide", which of course many north siders would disagree with. Everyone has a different perspective.</p>
<p>Again, take everything you hear with a grain of salt when discussing something as subjective as the best dorm. </p>
<p>On a random note, I've just realized how many typos I have in my posts ("dirtie"). Maybe I should be more careful, lol</p>
<p>When i said that living on n. side was "social suicide" i was being strong, but thats because many people don't realize that it does hurt their social life a bit. Also i said the words "social suicide" because that is the exact words that a friend of mine uses when she describes living on n. side and that is why i used those words. </p>
<p>Let me clarify when i talk about relations between the north and south side. </p>
<p>A person who lives on north side, who doesn't know anyone, can't just walk into the south side of campus. They need a friend to come down to the front desk and "claim them" so that they are let in.</p>
<p>At the same time, like i do a lot of my hwk in the lounge with other people. This is a lot of quality time that i spend w/ my friends on the south side. It is weird for a person to bring all of their stuff from the north side, just 2 do something like hwk.</p>
<p>Then there is always the feeling that like you don't really belong, like your a visitor and that is a little weird, like when i am on n. side, i do feel a little weird, because i don't actually live there. Plus it is a long walk away, so i don't like 2 go ALL THE WAY 2 north side to see people. </p>
<p>I do understand that my post does contradict itself, but thats because AU is a diverse community and many people go into the dorming situation not knowing much about it. A friend of mine doesn't drink, don't go to parties, has like a 4.0 gpa here at AU, goes to bed at like 11 pm... and he lives on south side. Again a friend of mine is crazy and lives on north side. </p>
<p>In the end your not going to DIE if you live in McD and you aren't going to die living in Letts (its only Cent that has the torcher chamber)... haha j/k ;)</p>
<p>there are so many ops to change and so many interesting people 2 meet that either way your going to have an amazing college career.</p>
<p>In the end i stick to my guns that Letts or and is the way 2 go, but if one lives on the north side, there is nothing wrong with that, you are just going to have to work a little harder when it comes to socializing and you are going to have to walk all the way across campus when you want a ride 2 a party.</p>
<p>
[quote]
no no no. The only way a person from north side can come and chill on south side, is if they have a person who lives on the south side complex come and claim them. A person from north side, just can't waltz up 2 the s. side of campus for some fun.
Also if you don't live on the s. side, its kinda weird for a person to always be hanging around. People tend to chill in the dorms (like in the lounges) with people on their floor, or friends of people on their floor (ie: late night study sessions. It is a long haul for a person to bring all their stuff from the n. side of campus 2 the s. side of campus 2 do hwk together.)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>That seems kind of immature. "North side can't hang with south side!". Give me a break.</p>
<p>well thats the rules of the residence halls assocation. A person who lives on the north side, can't walk into the south side of campus, unless a person comes down a "claims them." </p>
<p>There are areas on campus where people who live on north side and a person who lives on south side can chill w/o having to claim each other (ie: library, tav, MGC)</p>
<p>Ryan: i hope u didn't mis understand me. I have friends who live on north side and we do hang out, I just can't invite myself over to their dorm room, unless then come down and claim me at the front desk</p>
<p>Looks like a fair judgment in my opinion. Honestly, I think it's a decently moot point. Take your chances with whatever dorm you pick and then switch out if somehow you really hate it. I'm guessing more people have issues with particular roommates than particular dorms. Unless you have someone picked out to room with, no dorm selection can guarantee a good roommate.</p>
<p>Why does this school all of a sudden seem like high school? I mean I guess cliques are inevitable but it does seem dissapointing that the dorm situation is this way.</p>
<p>i really don't think that cliques exist. Its more about saftey, i mean i don't want some random person walking around my dorm room, unless they live there. Thats how like crimes happen and when people try to access the building w/o anyone claiming them, you will get in trouble and you will be reported to JAMS (judical and mediation services) and sanctions will be brought against you. </p>
<p>Anyway think of it from a partical point of view. I live on the 2nd floor of Letts. Just 2 hang out w/ a person am i going to walk ALL THE WAY across campus just to like chill out, or will I just go across the hall or up the stairs? I don't know about you, but i would rather just go up the stairs or across the hall, esp when it is cold or raining out. </p>
<p>Or like if i want to do hwk w/ people. Well i have my laptop and notebooks.. etc... will i go across the hall and do hwk, or will i walk ALL THE WAY across campus? to do something like hwk. I opt to just do hwk in my lounge with the people who live in my hall or on my floor.</p>
<p>how far is north side from south?
how long is a walk? lols
it seems like a long haul</p>
<p>well i think its LONG trip away... but yet again... i'm very lazy haha... ummm... its like a good 8 min walk 2 hughes 10 min walk 2 lenorard and like 12 mins 2 McD... but in the cold... rain... w/ books... it gets to be a lot</p>
<p>Ok, so I'm confused on the size of the campus... I have heard it takes no more than 5 minutes to walk across the whole thing, but now it seems that the north and south dorms are almost 10 minutes apart... so can anyone clarify? exactly how big is the campus and how long does it normally take to walk it?</p>
<p>yeah I think doublelayers estimates are on the high end. I could have sworn that it takes 5 minutes from Hughes to south side if you know where you are going.</p>
<p>i have short legs :(</p>
<p>maybe its a little less... but still... like i start in Letts... it takes about 2 mins to walk from my room to get outside. It takes another 3 mins to get to asbury and another 2 mins to get to the nest aother 3 mins to get to the north side shuttle stop and nother 2 mins to get to hughs. Again plus it takes time for a person to walk down and claim you and it takes more time to walk up the stairs to get to their room. All of this takes time. </p>
<p>To get to McD it takes at least another 4 mins... and to get to lenorard it takes another at least another 2 mins.</p>
<p>Whoever told you it takes 5 mins to get 2 anywhere on campus isn't right (unless they have massive legs and run everywhere...) like a lot of people ride bikes to class, becuase the campus is bih enough to do so. </p>
<p>Also i have a class in the Katzen art building and in order to be ontime, i have to leave my room at 1:55, for a 2:10 class. Thats becuase Katzen is located past the north side building and across the street from the main campus.</p>
<p>Umm, I don't know, but the campus seemed very small to me. I mean I couldn't even understand how different social environments were created on such a small campus. Those dorms are very close to each other compared to the distances between dorm clusters at every other school I've seen. </p>
<p>Look, if you're living on the north side campus, you'll do work with the people on your lounge. Same on the south side. Everyone will have their own social network. In this case, the south side people have just as much difficulty hanging in north side dorms and vice versa. It really doesn't matter where you live. </p>
<p>If you're going to meet someone on one side or the other, you'll probably have them come claim you. It's not that big of a deal. My host had no problem getting us into south side dorms. </p>
<p>If someone wants to focus their entire social life in the south side dorms, then they're stupid to choose a north side dorm. However, most people are also going to be hanging out in a mixture of places, like the quad, Mary Graydon center, the Tavern, the Library, Tenleytown, the city, their own dorm, etc. For them, there is really no disadvantage to live in a north side dorm.</p>
<p>People date across the sides of campus as well as across all of the schools in DC like you said. The effect of a little walk across campus is subjective.</p>
<p>i walked from anderson to hughes in less than 5 minutes on friday, but i tend to walk fast so yeah. but it's def possible to. and i wasn't in a hurry or anything.</p>
<p>it sounds like there is a pretty big different between north and south side, but what about individual dorms? like letts v. anderson- are they pretty much the same since they are connected, or are there obvious differences?</p>