<p>Milestones- There is no no-chem dorm. There is only a no-chem house. Might be difficult to get into considering it probably only houses 30 or so kids. The next lowest-chem option would be 280, but there’s no way to distinguish that on the form, so I guess you’d just have to hope for the best.</p>
<p>Thanks for the correction–it is the house (Clason) he’s interested in. He’s wanted it from the beginning. Sounds like it’s competitive, though. I wondered if that many first years would be interested. Do some choose it because it’s a house and not a dorm?</p>
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<p>I’m not sure how competitive it is. There is definitely a draw to living in the house setting which is presumably very close knit. I believe my first choice was the low chem house (Milliken), but I didn’t end up there. </p>
<p>Ultimately, wherever a student ends up living, it’s all about your floormates and the friendships you make there. I would say keep an open mind and don’t come to campus with preconceived notions. Anything I could tell you about the dorms and houses would be generalities and not necessarily the case this year or on your floor or in your room.</p>
<p>Smith: old, packed, dingy… but party central and lots of fun
Adams: More livable and normal
The Bill: Weird vibe and less social, but closer to cafeteria and nicer dorms</p>
<p>The Bill (Roger Williams) is no longer a dorm. It now houses the modern language offices. Bates is planning to build new dorms along Campus Ave. and turn the Smith quads into doubles.</p>
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<p>My son is a freshman and lives in Parker and loves it. He’s on the first floor and has a huge room (with one roommate) with tall ceilings. We were a little concerned when we found out Parker was the next to oldest building on campus so we were pleasantly surprised when we walked in. Also, his room has two windows which makes it light and airy. He’s really enjoyed his floormates and his JA and his roommate. He has a good friend in Smith who wants to move to Parker! My son likes the fact Parker is a multi-year dorm but likes that they cluster freshmen.</p>
<p>Just in case anyone is curious about Clason (the no-chem house), S is very happy there, and it was his first choice. In high school he lived on a noisy hall of 36 boys, and Clason has just 30 residents. He says it’s rather quiet, which he loves. Apparently it has the reputation of housing introverts, geeks, and internationals, which is just fine with him; there is plenty of diversity among those 30 students. A few weeks into the school year Dean Reese came over with food for a party for the international students, so S got to meet and talk with him in a smaller setting. The house is older and not fancy, but that seems to be a non-issue. Most likely Clason is not for everyone, but S has absolutely no regrets about his choice.</p>
<p>I think it’s really good that Bates seems to have a place that fits for most. I was really impressed with the questionnaire regarding housing and roommates. My S’s roommate has ended up being a really good match for him. I understand they have the cleanest room on campus - ha ha Being a tidy soul, it’s really good he lives with another tidy soul.</p>
<p>Page is a nice balance between the rowdiness of Smith and the the calmer life of other dorms. Weekends are still party-oriented but its not as bad as Smith considering the long hallways and the usage of lounges. And the “mixed year” designation isn’t really noticeable since all of the upperclassmen live pretty much in the basement and you rarely see them on the upper floors. Practically speaking, it will be all-freshman.</p>
<p>My son went on an overnight recruiting visit in October and stayed in one of the school-owned houses near the admissions building and loved it. Nice housing choices at Bates.</p>
<p>For anyone interested in the new dorms at Bates:</p>
<p><a href=“Campus Construction Update: June 2, 2014 | News | Bates College”>http://www.bates.edu/news/2014/06/02/campus-construction-update-june-2-2014/</a></p>
<p>Note: the school is not adding students, just using the new housing as swing space and a way to reduce the number of students in current housing, in particular to allow the school to rehab older dorms and take the Smith quads down to doubles.</p>
<p>My son is a sophomore this year and lives in one of those houses and really loves it. It’s a bit quieter which he likes - he and a group of friends got together and apparently organized it. @Artie123 my son is an overnight host which he enjoys a bunch. What sport is your son interested in?</p>
<p>Chiming in here–my son lived in a house (30 students–all first-years) his first year, and chose again this year to live in the same part of campus, sharing a house with others who have similar interests. I wouldn’t be surprised if he lives on or near Frye Street all 4 years. He enjoys living with a smaller group (this year it’s ~ 20 students, I think) and likes that side of campus. I’ve noticed that some of the houses in that area are due for some attention–which will likely happen when the new residences become available.</p>
<p>Bates has theme houses, organized by a group or an individual with that interest. A theme may go on for years, but it’s my understanding that the theme group has to switch houses each year. Seems like a very good system.</p>
<p>My son is a senior. He lived in houses his soph & junior year. This year he was going to live in The Villages but late in the summer he & friends opted out and asked to be put in overflow housing. It was a gamble as if they didn’t get it they would just be put somewhere. They got lucky and have a one bedroom apartment in a house on Frye Street. They have a mini kitchen - no stove as it’s not allowed but they do have a micro, a very pretty fireplace (non working) in living room beautiful big windows, and a darling front porch. Two kids share the bedroom and one sleeps in a part of the living room they partitioned off. </p>
<p>There are also some seniors who choose to rent houses around campus. </p>
<p>Track…he is being heavily recruited by a number of schools from d1 - d3.</p>