<p>Hey! I'm not even applying until next fall so this is purely out of curiousity, but could someone comment briefly on the differences between the dorms and the vibes, community, etc? My best friend is pressed on Kinsolving, but I'm kind of iffy about it being all-girls... How does that affect the social atmosphere? Also, would you reccommend the Honors Housing, or is it TOO quiet/study-oriented? Anything anyone has to contribute would be helpful!</p>
<p>Ironically, my experience with the honors quad is that students tend to goof off a lot (using the excuse of “study groups”).</p>
<p>My personal suggestion: If you get into honors, live in the honors dorm. Otherwise, live in Jester, Dobie, or the Castilian. The honest truth is that those 3 dorms have the most resources and are most convenient for living in as a freshman. All 3 are also very social and you will meet lots of people there.</p>
<p>Honors dorms in the quad was great.
Having the courtyard close made me feel safe about locking up my bike and walking out there at night. And you get access to all three - and they all connect. You get the Joynes Reading Room which is like your own 24 hour library.</p>
<p>Being an all girls dorm definitely makes Kinsolving feel more kempt. One upside is that the dorm-wide activities, such as movie nights, are catered towards girls. Also, it’s noticeably quieter than otherwise similar co-ed dorms.</p>
<p>But as a guy, I definitely stand out there. All residential areas are protected by a door that requires your ID card. In most other dorms, 80% of the people walking ahead of me will hold the door open for me. In Kinsolving, maybe 15% will do that favor, 25% will directly stare me down to make sure I don’t follow them and 60% will keep track of me out of the corner of their eye. Now, I’m not supposed to be allowed in without a resident escorting me, so the girls are well within their rights to act that way, but this is something completely unique to Kinsolving. I’m a pretty friendly looking guy and no one gives me a second glance if I walk down the girls hall of a co-ed dorm while I’m just as “dangerous”. But in Kinsolving, I suddenly stand out. After living in Jester for a year and as someone with a girlfriend in Kinsolving, this can get a little annoying. It’s not a big deal but all it means is that 1) I have to wait a couple minutes for her to let me in through the security door (I’ve been called out a few times for following others), 2) I have to go to the 2.5 floor study area to use the bathroom, and 3) I get a few stares when I leave her room by myself.</p>
<p>This isn’t really a big deal, but as a guy who goes there at least once a day, it does add up. Nonetheless, once a girl is escorting me, I become “normal” again and no one pays me any attention. Don’t take my anecdote too seriously, though. I was the one who recommended by girlfriend to live there. The proximity to the cafeteria is great and it’s also a short walk to West Campus, where I am. Either way, I hope I’ve addressed your underlying concern about the vibe at Kinsolving as an all girls dorm. That is, Kinsolving definitely “feels” like an all girls dorm.</p>