Freshman Dorms - Learning Community or Not?

My son is admitted to the college of engineering and computing. The living learning community is Bates West. We toured it, and it’s really run down. It’s one of the buildings slated for demolition. The other dorm closest to the CEC buildings is Green Quad. Built in 2004, it is so much nicer, brighter and definitely cleaner. So I’m hoping to hear from some other incoming students/parents, or hear opinions from older students or parents about the benefits of living in the learning community dorms vs. other dorms. TIA

My son totally passed on the LLC because it was also housed in Bates West. They really need to tear that building down. I’d recommend going for the dorm your son wants and joining some clubs to meet people in and out of his major.

Hi @lastone03 Thanks for your input, and that’s the way we are leaning. Bates West is slated for demo over the next couple of years, so they’re definitely not going to do anything to make it better in the short term. Hoping he can get into Green Quad.

Just some food for thought. Last year housing priority was based on application date if I remember correctly. Housing will ask for your student’s top 5 dorm choices, but if you have a roommate preference, that takes priority over dorm choice. My son was accepted in early November last year, but because he prioritized a roommate (who didn’t apply EA), he wound up in an apartment that wasn’t one of his 5 choices. Also, some dorms, like Green Quad, require an essay.

@lastone03 That’s really helpful. I think my son would rather live on the street than write ANOTHER essay. He doesn’t have a roommate preference either. Oh well, who knows where he’ll end up living.

@RMSqueencat haha. I hear you on the essays.

https://www.sc.edu/about/offices_and_divisions/housing/green_quad/apply_to_live_in_green_quad/index.php

@lastone03 Thanks for the link. Now it’s up to him, but he better make up his mind quickly!!!

@RMSqueencat you just totally made my day with your comment - “That’s really helpful. I think my son would rather live on the street than write ANOTHER essay. He doesn’t have a roommate preference either. Oh well, who knows where he’ll end up living.” Still laughing bc my son feels the same way. Trying to decide between Green and Patterson or another one of the quads besides Green.

Anyone have any thoughts on Green or any of the other quads vs. Patterson for my son? Science undeclared (prob bio for premed) but wants something where he can meet people.

From what I hear, the Quads and apartments are the least social of the dorm types. The traditional or suite-style dorms are much more social, so if you want your student to meet people more quickly, keep that in mind. We have a friend whose son ended up in McBryde this year, which was not one of any of his stated choices (it happens!) and it’s a dump, but he did meet other guys right away and has had fun. Ready to move to an apartment for next year, but still enjoyed his time for the most part in McBryde.

My older son lived in McBryde Freshmen year. It is a dump but it was easy to meet friends. Everyone kept room doors open first few days/weeks. My younger son lived in Green Quad last year. Although the building is beautiful and the apartments are so nice with each having a private room, it was just awful socially. Everyone kept doors closed to apartments so it was difficult to meet others even across the hall. They would do a few floor events but not many kids showed up. My son and his three other roommates were incredibly disappointed that they met no one while living there which is so important as a first year student. I would recommend any dorm before the Quads for this reason.

My son was in Cliff (apartments) and he rarely if ever socialized there. He’s a pretty social kid and knew a few kids attending SC so he always had plenty to do, but it wasn’t like the dorm experience my other two had. He joined a fraternity (which he never thought he would do), but it’s been great for him. He is living in the house next year which will be a lot more like living in a dorm (shared bedrooms and bathroom etc).