<p>Can anyone give details about each dorm, and which are the best?</p>
<p>And general tips about dormlife ? (Things you wish you brought, etc.)</p>
<p>Thanks :-)</p>
<p>Dorms in general suck unless you are in Somerset (CIVICUS program), Anne Arundel (Honors), or Queen Anne's (Honors).</p>
<p>Most freshmen end up in North Campus (the typical high-rises), which is split into 3 communities: Denton (Easton, Denton, & Elkton halls); Ellicott (Hagerstown, Ellicott (Gemstone), and La Plata halls); Cambridge (Scholars) (Cumberland, Centerville, Cambridge, Chestertown, Bel Air--those last 3 aren't high-rises).
South Campus is split into North Hill (Somerset, Queen Anne's, Anne Arundel, Dorchester (global communities/writers house), St Mary's (language house), Caroline, Carroll, Wicomico, Worcester) and South Hill (mostly suite-style housing for sophomores etc.).</p>
<p>Look here <a href="http://www.resnet.umd.edu/halls.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.resnet.umd.edu/halls.html</a> for everything and more that you would ever want to know about housing.</p>
<p>Dorm life is exactly how you think it will be. Bring an eyemask and earplugs if you're a light sleeper!!</p>
<p>The one thing I keep hearing about freshie dorms is the lack of AC - many students bring multiple fans in to get the air moving - why they would build highrises with no AC in Maryland is a mystery to me.</p>
<p>ditto on the fact of no AC! But that is really the only major downfall of dorm life at Md. Dorms are pretty much all the same. My d. LOVES it there...even through the heat of August. Just remember to be considerate, friendly and you won't have any problems. Resident life is very helpful with all concerns and no question is too dumb for them to answer...believe me! Make sure to touch base w/ all roommates well before you move in. College Park is great...you'll love it!</p>
<p>desvw or anyone else-- I think that you're allowed to request housing with a friend if both sides agree. However, do you know if regular students can do this with gemstone or honors friends at gemstone/honors housing?</p>
<p>Hummm...I'm not sure, that's a good question. I'd say the answer would be no, but that's just a guess. My d. is in an Honor's dorm an was not in any honor's or scholars or anything...she was fall waitlisted and in for spring...so she didn't actually get accepted for fall 2005 until May 19 last year....and she was lucky to get a room at all. But to be honest with you, don't request anyone to room with...meet new people. My d. knew NO ONE....not one single person at Maryland...and she's got tons of friends from all her activities, sorority pledging, dorm life, classes, extra cirric....</p>
<p>oh yeah i havent thought about that. thanks very much for the advice :)</p>
<p>is it a good idea to stay at laplate if i'm a freshman..because i heard its mainly sophmores??</p>