Freshman Dorms

<p>Could a current student please comment on the pros and cons of the various choices for freshman housing? I am having trouble deciding.</p>

<p>Most placement is random, what choices did they give you?</p>

<p>My understanding is that you make your requests (online) with the understanding that you may not get your first choice. I was wondering about the quads in Smith, all freshman. Pros and cons, someone?</p>

<p>I've heard that some past freshman regret living in Smith and wish they had put down substance free so they could live in a house.</p>

<p>What did they regret? Noise, small rooms, too many roomates?</p>

<p>Wait, is it better to dorm in a bigger dorm for your first year so you can "be social" with everyone, or is it ok to keep it small and live in a house?</p>

<p>Hey Guys,</p>

<p>I am a rising Junior at Bates. Here's a bit about frosh housing:</p>

<p>Page (Dorm)- A bit out of the way. Doubles and triples. All class years. Mixed gender. You will have a great time if you have amazing people living on your floors. It has one of the largest common rooms and is often the sight of parties and occasional concerts.</p>

<p>Parker (Dorm)- In the center of campus. Doubles and triples. All class years, although mostly freshmen. Mixed gender. Many people love the central location of Parker and enjoy their time living there as freshmen. It can get a bit crazy on the weekends.</p>

<p>Smith (Dorm)- Central location. Two-room forced quads. Male and female by floor. All freshmen. It is cramped and not the place I would recommend living. Some love it, some hate it, it does have the best location though, especially with the new dining hall.</p>

<p>New Residential Village (Dorm)- A bit out of the way. Low-chem (no major parties, except in the basement). Has study rooms, beautiful laundry rooms, high ceilings in the bedrooms. Doubles. Mixed gender. All class years (many upper classmen live in singles on the top floor). People who lived there this year loved it, although it is a lot more sterile than other buildings on campus. 2 plasmas on each floor.</p>

<p>Rand Hall (Dorm)- Low chem, right next to the new residential building. Doubles and triples. Mixed gender. All class years. Over all very nice building, although very quiet. Big screen TV in the common room. </p>

<p>Claeson (House)- Chem-free. Doubles. Mixed gender. Freshmen only. Those who choose a chem free lifestyle seem to appreciate this house. Students have very close relationships and do not branch out much.</p>

<p>Milliken (House)- Doubles. Mixed gender. Freshmen only. House as well. Everyone gets very close, often there is drama between house mates.</p>

<p>I lived in a dorm my freshmen year and loved having so many people around. After living in a house this year, I found that houses are wonderful once you have already established a social circle. I recommend dorms for incoming freshmen.</p>

<p>That was really helpful. Thanks for the inside info.</p>