I’ve been trying to look at housing options and see which one would be the best fit for me. I’ve heard there’s engineering specific dorms which is where I would prefer to be so I’m surrounded by like minded people but not sure the pros and cons of each dorm. I’ve heard Santa Lucia and North Mountain Dorms are both Engineering dorms, is this right? Also does anyone have any advice or feedback on either dorm?
Look into the Cal Poly housing site. There are Living Learning dorms for specific majors. My S who graduated in '13 choose North Mountain because the rooms were larger, the bathroom was shared with 3 other rooms, and there was a refrig/micro in each room. Now I’ve heard that North Mountain are made into triples. Check out YouTube videos to determine if that will work for you. Remember North Mountain doesn’t have a study/community room or kitchen, you’ll have to use one of the Red Bricks facilities.
The Red Bricks looked kinda cramp and claustrophobic to me. The long dark hallways was a no go for me (as a parent). The bathrooms are gender specific and is one large bathroom for about 25 people, with lockers to store your stuff IIRC. I assume its pretty social if people keep their room doors open as opposed to the freshman suites where everyone is sectioned off in their own apartment.
My son was in a triple at North Mountain. There was sufficient room for 3. Dorm had a micro/fridge. He liked that the door opened to the outside rather than a hallway. No complaints from him.
By the way, the bathroom at North Mountain consisted of 2 toilets, 2 showers and 2 or 4 sinks IIRC.
Colleges always state that communal bathrooms work in the dorms because everyone has a different schedule, so they say. Might work for the guys, don’t know for the girls. I can just imagine all the hair dryers, curlers, make up, and not to mention all the long hair left in the shower/sinks after a few hours. Housekeeping does come and clean those areas daily.
Here’s a nice video of North Mountain dorms and includes a bathroom tour. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CCe96BxU7w