<p>Can someone tell me about the different residence halls for freshman? What is each RLC like? What are the most popular/what is each one known for?</p>
<p>Definitely check out the SCU site about RLC’s if you haven’t:
[Residential</a> Learning Communities at Santa Clara UniversityResidential Learning Communities](<a href=“http://www.scu.edu/rlc/index.cfm]Residential”>On-Campus Living - Santa Clara University)</p>
<p>I’m a sophomore at Santa Clara and coming all the way from Cincinnati, I had the same question. First, each RLC is linked with a building. If it is any indication of the RLC’s precedence, if you ask a student where they live, they reply with their building name, not the RLC name. Everyone knows which building and RLC are associated, since there are only eight, however.</p>
<p>RLC’s are great because:
-you go through summer orientation with members of your RLC (great way to meet a roommate)
-Freshman year, fall quarter you take two RLC-linked class, basically with freshman from your building
-you live with sophomores (and even a few juniors and seniors). I am a firm believer that freshman shouldn’t live exclusively with freshman. Sophomores are really friendly and will help show you the ropes. And they have cars, though you don’t usually need one in the Valley.
-most students will live in the same RLC at least their freshman and sophomore year. This helps create RLC pride.
-events and competitions on campus (dodgeball tourneys, Rock Band competitions, capture the flag) are RLC vs. RLC
-each RLC hosts a plethora of activites which are free or really cheap for students, and you’re more than welcome to attend another RLC’s event</p>
<p>In general, the themes are less important to choosing than the atmosphere and the room type (standard double or suite style).</p>
<p>Here are my thoughts on the RLC’s</p>
<p>Cyphi, Modern Perspectives, and Unity are all on the louder side of campus. If you want a more social environment with a wide variety of people, definitely consider any of these. Alpha, Communitas, and Xavier are smaller, more close-knit groups. Loyola and da Vinci can be fun, but are suite style. I lived in Sobrato my freshman year and the suites, though they can be fun, really didn’t help me meet as many people and didn’t make for the most social environment. Even if you want a quieter atmosphere, try Alpha, Communitas, or Xavier (where I’m living next year). I really don’t recommend the suites.</p>
<p>I’m going to be a junior next year, and I’ve lived in the suites for the past two years (Casa Italiana/Da Vinci).</p>
<p>I don’t really know how you could consider living anywhere else. Not only are the rooms SIGNIFICANTLY nicer, you also have your own bathroom (to share with your suitemates) and air conditioned rooms with carpeting. Although it takes a little more effort to meet people, it is far from difficult, and just means you get to know your suitemates very well.</p>
<p>Also, while the dorms on the other side of campus are much more social, nothing stops you from going to that side to party, and then return to your perfect amazing suite after a night of raging!</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the Environmental Sustainability dorm? It’s webpage is out of service right now.</p>