Is there any difference between these dorms besides location?
The Hill dorms are slightly bigger, but older, while the quad dorms are slightly smaller, but newer. Don’t underestimate the importance of location, though.
The Quad dorms were built in the 1930’s, the Hill in the 1970’s and two built in the 1990’s. Perhaps the Quad is more recently renovated, but they a definitely the oldest. I loved my year living in the Quad, right in the heart of campus and the buildings are historic, but I found the room to be nice.
Quad, all the way for your first year.
The Quad is an awesome freshman/sophomore experience. My son picked it over the Village because of the location and the “dorm” experience and it is a dorm experience - 2 to a small room and 4 boys sharing a small bath but it was perfect. If you are in one of the Honors Dorms (mine was in Broun Hall, the Honors activity center is in the basement with lots going on) your dorm floor mates are likely like you - committed to their academics and well behaved. Summer sessions are different because it is no longer an Honors dorm and you get the full range of college student behaviors.
Quad is usually one of the first to be selected though so if you haven’t picked by November you may not have that option.