<p>Hi, I got into the gemstones program, but I was also interested in Virtus because they live in air-conditioning dorms! Does anyone have any advice, I'm not sure where I want to live; with my gemstones peers or with virtus peers with AC</p>
<p>While Ellicott (Gemstone building) doesn’t have AC, it is in a more “central” location on campus than Easton (Virtus building). The diner is literally 20 feet from Ellicott, same thing with Byrd Stadium, and your automatically about a quarter of a mile closer to all of your classes (Easton’s literally on the edge of campus). GEMS100 (Introduction to Gemstone) is also in Ellicott. Having AC is nice I suppose for the first 1-2 weeks, but it becomes negligible after that.</p>
<p>EDIT: Easton also doesn’t have the best “reputation” on campus. I think that’s why they put the Engineering living-learning community there. I have no idea how true this is.</p>
<p>What do you mean GEMS100 is in Ellicott? It’s not actually in the dorm is it?</p>
<p>Yeah, the ground floor has the offices in it. The “classrooms” are pretty much like business meeting rooms (couldn’t think of a better description), so they are pretty small (big table in the center with about 15 chairs around it).</p>
<p>Don’t worry, you won’t live on the ground floor.</p>
<p>Yodelo -</p>
<p>We were visiting a friend of ours who lives in Ellicott this past Friday and we got to see the ground floor where the Gemstone program is located. But all the dorms are on the first floor and above.</p>
<p>Great. I will definitely live in the Gemstones dorm then. Still considering doing the Virtus program but not living with them. Anyone have any advice on that?</p>
<p>You can do both programs, BUT Virtus has a residential REQUIREMENT. So, you have to live in Easton to participate (if you are selected, based on 500 word essay submission). </p>
<p>HOWEVER, the Clark School DOES have all the professional development support that Virtus offers. The difference is that if you aren’t in Virtus, you have to seek it out - meaning you have to look when the workshops are scheduled and attend on your own - instead of the workshops coming to you at a set time. </p>
<p>(I was just at the open house and that question came up quite a bit…)</p>
<p>Gemstone is also FULL of engineers (engineers and pre-med people are probably the most popular for Gemstone), so you shouldn’t have trouble getting support on your floor.</p>