<p>Hi everyone, I have been accepted to UPenn Early Decision, so I wanted to get a head start on figuring out housing even though I cannot apply until March. First, can freshmen choose their roommates if we know someone going there? Second, do you have any recommendations on where to live? Thank you in advance!</p>
<p>Congrats on getting in! I got in ED this year as well and I’ve been looking at the dorms already 
To answer your questions, yes you can choose to room with someone you know but there is a certain procedure you need to follow and certain requirements you and your roommate need to match ( see [Freshmen](<a href=“Home | Penn Residential Services”>Home | Penn Residential Services)</a>)
Secondly, I really do think the second question depends on what you want. Looking around Penn’s website and the threads here on CC, I really want to get into Hill because of the programs the house offers as well as its proximity to the engineering buildings. It’s also one of the more sociable houses + it’s got its own dining hall so it’s very convenient.
Not sure if this helps, but my interviewer said that in his opinion the Quad or Hill were the best options for freshmen since majority of the students in those halls are freshmen. He graduated last year so I assume he knows what he’s talking about. There’s a pdf somewhere on the UPenn website above that should be useful as well 
Hope this helped!</p>
<p>If you’re social, live in the Quad or Hill. If you are easily disturbed by noise (whether it be late at night or in the morning), try a high rise or Gregory. Most of my friends in King’s Court English like it, but be wary- the dining hall is closed on the weekends.</p>
<p>Bottom line: Living in the Quad/Hill makes it much easier to meet people for a myriad of reasons. Those in other locations tend to be isolated.</p>
<p>Thank you guys!</p>
<p>And stop calling it “UPenn.” Among your new “family” (and others in the know), it’s just Penn. :)</p>
<p>current freshman living in the quad. im a pretty social person so i knew i wanted quad or hill for this reason but as im a pre med i knew that in terms of studying a single would be better. so i picked a single in the quad. in hindsight this probably was not the best decision because i wound up with an extremely quiet hall where we aren’t really great friends with each other. i wind up going to my friends hall in hill a lot and they are really social people plus the fact that theres a dining hall there makes it sort of a social hub (the quads dining hall mcclelland is more of a grab and go place)</p>
<p>so i would recommend looking into hill or a res program in the quad (because those halls are typically closer). having a single is actually pretty great (no cleaning up after others, a good nights sleep when you need it) but make sure you’re in a social hall if you have a single</p>
<p>I lived in a highrise (harnwell) my freshman year. I got pretty close to my roommates and various people in the building. I met some upperclassman that gave me great advice though the house events and whatnot. I liked that I could study in my room and didn’t need to leave to get something to eat because I cook often. this is pretty essentially when you are sick and/or very busy. I made most my friends through my clubs.</p>