<p>I was a bit confused trying to read the Residence Halls info on Davis Wiki… so I rather just ask here. ;p</p>
<p>Is there a popular freshmen dorm that a lot of people try to get?</p>
<p>What are some of your experiences in your particular assigned dorm? </p>
<p>What were some pros and cons about it (bathroom, proximity to classes, smell, etc.)?</p>
<p>How was the social life there?</p>
<p>Not sure if you looked at UC</a> Davis Student Housing: Residence Halls but it might help.</p>
<p>It really depends on what you're looking for in a dorm.</p>
<p>If you prefer the party life, then definitely shoot for Cuarto. That's where I'm at now, and our building (Castillian South) was reported to have the most write ups, so one could argue that we're the "bad-asses" of the dorms.</p>
<p>The rooms are much bigger than the rest of the dorms. One of the three rooms has its own bathroom complete with shower (my room gets that), and I only have to share it with my roommate. The other two rooms (3 people total) must share; this is still pretty good though considering segundo and tercero must shower and use the restroom in communal bathrooms, which they have on a specified floor. Can't imagine the torture and humiliation they must go through! Lmao</p>
<p>Another plus would definitely have to be that girls and guys have their rooms right next to each other, which makes for more flirtatious behavior! </p>
<p>There is a small downside though to living here, and that is the distance from campus. It will probably take you a good 7 minutes to bike to the Silo from Castillian South (I make it in 5 tho 'cause I like to speed =D). However, the distance can be a good thing too. You're technically not on campus and you can get away with more stuff, such as drinking and smoking. Also, you're allowed to park your car in the surrounding streets next to your dorm, on Wake Forest (or the parking area if you have a parking permit).</p>
<p>Just my 2 and a half cents. =)</p>
<p>I'm not quite sure where the above poster got his information, but Cuarto is generally the area everyone wants to avoid...</p>
<p>Segundo is EASILY the most wanted area at Davis. I've noticed people who are in Cuarto received Cuarto despite having it as their last choice. It is much more difficult to make friends in a suite style dorm, as not everyone will have their doors open.</p>
<p>Ok I'm a freshman at Davis right now and the residence halls most freshman usually choose is Segundo. It is easily the most popular dormitory around. Most everyone I know or talk to chose Segundo as their first choice and usually either Cuarto or Tercero as the last choice. The best thing about Segundo is that it doesn't have the cow smell that Tercero has and is on campus, unlike Cuarto. Cuarto does have some kind of advantage because it is pretty close to some of the restaurants and such, but Segundo is also pretty close and in Cuarto, you like in a suite with 2 or 3 more people and most people in Cuarto aren't very social with their neighbors, but tight with their suitemates. Living in segundo right now, I know practically everyone in my building and many people in the buildings around too so if you want to be social, choose Segundo. My choices were Segundo first, then Tercero, and Cuarto last. Tercero does have the cow smell though and thats the reason why I didn't want it, but its pretty close to some classes too. Definitely the furthest from the restaurants though.</p>
<p>I'm now a junior, but as a freshman, I also wanted Segundo but ended up with Tercero (I was devastated, but I got over it pretty quickly). </p>
<p>Yes, Tercero is by the cows, but that doesn't mean that Segundo doesn't reek of cow as well. Davis has strong winds and can definetly carry the smell to other areas on campus. And Tercero is only far the UMall (Old Tea House, Starbucks, Ohana, Subway); otherwise, it is pretty much the same distance to downtown as Segundo.</p>
<p>I lived in Pierce J, on the third floor, across from the bathroom. I had a roommate, she moved out since all her friends lived in Cuarto and I ended up having the entire room to myself for the rest of the year. The bathroom door was a bit noisy when it squeaked open and shut, but I got used to that, and it became background noise to me. The custodial staff no longer woke me up in the mornings either (btw, in Cuarto, you are your own bathroom maid). My neighbors were nice, I had them kill my spiders for me, I could hear their music thru the thin walls. </p>
<p>Tercero, in gen'l, is a quieter community (Leach is dead quiet), so I was able to focus on what I needed to do. I found all of my classes to be pretty close to my dorm, so I didn't spend much time traveling to and from.</p>
<p>Everyone in my building (3 floors, girls bathroom on the 1st and 3rd, boys on the 2nd, ~60 people) knew everyone else. We were pretty close together, had weekly socials, tv parties, games, etc///</p>
<p>good luck.</p>
<p>If you are looking for the regular dorm experience, DEFINITELY go for SEGUNDO. Segundo is comprised of several different buildings, including some very new ones and other older ones. If you want to guarantee getting into a certain building, sign up for a themed floor (call and ask where the themed floors are located, because this is usually pre-determined). </p>
<p>In Segundo, you will live with a lot of people on the same floor. Plus side: you will get to meet A LOT of people and interact with them often. There are always leadership activities and events going on in that area. There is a new dining commons and it is pretty nice. The location is right next to the gym (the ARC)!! This is a major major plus if you like to work out, or plan on doing intramural sports. Many people dont think about it right away but when it gets cold and rainy, who wants to make their way from Cuarto off-campus or from Tercero all the way to the ARC? </p>
<p>Cons may be that there are too many people around you, if you like your space. It depends on the building you are in. Bixby and Gilmore are a bit more condensed, and you have to share a bathroom with more people. The newer buildings are nicer. Regan isn't as cramped. But, if you think about it, its well worth it because you only live in dorms once, so why not take in the experience for what it is!</p>
<p>A side note about other buildings:
-Cuarto is technically off-campus. It is across the street and about 1-2 blocks down, so it is basically right next to campus (almost across the street). They have suite-style living, which means you may or may not interact with people on your floor. Most people stay inside their suites. You only share a bathroom with 1 to a few other people. The more independent first years usually live over in Cuarto. If you think you may get homesick, I would probably opt out of living there, unless you really want that type of living situation. </p>
<p>Tercero is ok. Its a bit further from most things on campus, though closest to the main science buildings. Its further from the ARC, and right by the cows. They do have some brand new, nice building over there. However, many students tend to find it a more depressing place to live. Its hard to explain, but you kind of have to see it for yourself. Its more isolated. </p>
<p>*Oh, and the best part about living in Segundo is that you are right across the street from Right Aid and the U-Mall! This goes for Cuarto as well. But being across the street from rite-aid (a 1 minute walk) saves you so much time and energy because you cant have a car as a freshman. You can get almost everything you need there.</p>