Hi! I’m committed to Wellesley for the Class of 2022. I have some disabilities which I don’t want to disclose on here, so I’m requesting some housing accommodations. The accommodation request form asks for your top 5 preferred dorms.
I have celiac disease, so I thought about requesting one of the New Dorms because Bates has a gluten-free food station. They’re also close to the Science Center (I want to be a science major). I’m a bit worried, though, that they’re isolated and far away from the Academic Quad and Lulu. Could you all give me a rundown of the general vibe of each of Wellesley’s dorms and maybe some suggestions? I’d like to be in a quieter dorm, but not one that’s anti-social.
I am a parent of a graduate, so I can’t give too much specific information, except to say that one semester my D lived in Munger. Pomeroy was the closest dining option, and even though she’s not a vegetarian, she ended up eating there most of the time because of its proximity/convenience. So I would definitely select an east side complex dorm, because it will make it much easier for meals.
In my limited experience, a lot of students end up staying near where they were placed their first year, because they get used to it. My D was in the Tower complex her first and second years. She was in Munger for the semester she wasn’t doing study abroad her third year, then went back to the Tower complex her fourth year. A friend’s daughter was in Stone-Davis her first year and then stayed there the rest of her time at Wellesley.
I’m a parent of a current student. She is in one of the eastside dorms this year and has had a wonderful experience. She’s involved with house council, loves all the social activities, and she and her friends have created some of their own traditions that they plan to continue even when some of them move to westside next year. She says the eastside dorms have the reputation of being quiet and she actually does most her studying in her dorm. She sometimes complained about having to walk across campus, but that was really only in the snow or pouring rain. So I don’t think you should hesitate putting Freeman/Bates/McAfee/Stone Davis at the top of your list.
I live on the east side now (Bates, Dower, McAfee, Freeman, Stone Davis) and while it is slightly farther to Lulu, the academic quad is 7 minutes away, 5 if I’m running late and hustle. I’ve never had any problems getting to Lulu or anywhere on west side. The shuttle also runs after dark and stops everywhere on campus, which is a great resource. The community is also really supportive and welcoming, from what I’ve experienced!
My daughter loved living in Dower for her first two years. She ate at Bates. The great thing about being on the east side is that it is quieter (but not unsocial) and you are forced to exercise to get to class. She regarded this as one of the perks, as she didn’t gain the freshman 15.
Note: If you bring a bike to campus, make sure it has a very good lock. D’s bike was stolen her first year.
I am a current student who is gluten intolerant. This year, I lived in the Tower Court complex (Tower, Severance, Claflin).
Both the Bates dining hall on East Side and the Tower dining hall have gluten free areas with essential items including bread, butter, jam, cream cheese, cookies, and pasta. In addition, the Bates gluten free room has a little stove so you can cook pasta or other dishes using the extra dishes. I personally have only cooked in there once.
Tower has a regular meal station that always serves a dish without any top 8 allergens. Sometimes it’s a satisfying meal (like tacos or curry) and sometimes it’s not a full meal (like a salad or smoothie). Many times, the food on the main line is naturally gluten free. For the days when I can’t eat what’s on the menu and don’t want to have a sandwich, I like the Tower Court complex’s proximity to Lulu. It’s less than 5 minutes away and many times has gluten free food when Tower does not. The closest dining hall to Freeman, Bates, and McAfee is Stone-Davis, which hardly ever has gluten free options.
This is what I know about gluten free dining, but other accommodations might make one dorm work better for you. Wherever you end up, students find great communities in all the dorms. If you want to hear more about being gluten free at Wellesley, I recommend posting on the Class of 2022 Facebook group, where even more current students can see your question.