<p>Hi to all --</p>
<p>It has been great reading all of these posts today. You all are a wealth of information! We are coming down for orientation (our son will attend beginning summer 08) and I saw the thread about Priceline. Great idea. But what part of Tallahassee is the campus located in? There's a map, and I wasn't sure.</p>
<p>An unusual twist: I'm a Gator (UF grad) and we visited a number of campuses in Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Our son fell in love with everything about Tallahassee (Political Science major) and had no doubt that would be his first choice. He is 100% committed -- even if he gets accepted to UF. As a family we are thrilled for him! I loved the environment at FSU, the people, the campus, and everything about the experience. So we are truly a "house divided" now...but in a good way! I want the experience to be as uniquely his as mine was for me years ago. </p>
<p>Anyway, I have found these threads fascinating and helpful! A question for students: what dorms do you like best and why?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Hi GANoleMom!</p>
<p>Welcome to the family!</p>
<p>You'll find an answer to just about every question on this forum. If you don't see it in an existing thread- just ask and I'm sure one of the posters will have an answer.</p>
<p>As for the Priceline map, the college is located a few blocks from the capitol which places it in "south tallahassee" on their map. There are a few great hotels in this area like the Doubletree and the Mariott Residence Inn. I've stayed at both for $50 a night and they were awesome. The Mariott is better because it is newer, you have a full kitchen and great breakfast in the morning, but the Doubletree has awesome beds... Also, the Mariott is within walking distance of campus and they run shuttles to campus all the time for free so you wont have to find a place to park. However, if you do need parking and haven't received a permit yet then I would recommend the parking garage in mid campus which you get to by traveling on Tennessee St heading West, take a left onto Copeland and then turn right onto W. Jefferson. Take Jefferson down to Woodward and take another right and this will lead you to a dead end where you'll see the garage on your right. This is the only parking area that I've seen on campus that you don't need a sticker for. I've never had trouble finding a space when visiting our daughter. </p>
<p>If you don't find availability in the south Tally area then look to "tallahassee North" which puts you up by I-10 on Monroe St which is one of Tally's main drags. Lots of restaurants in this area and a decent mall (but the better mall, "Governor's Square", is on Apalachee Pkwy heading East). There are also a few good hotels decently priced on Apalachee, but I've been charged over $100/night at these. They are a good bet if you can't find something nicer for cheaper on Priceline.</p>
<p>We've stayed at the new Holiday Inn & Suites on N. Monroe and it was AWESOME! No breakfast and it is far from the school, but very well appointed and has a great restaurant.</p>
<p>So, I hope that helps.</p>
<p>OH - there are also some nice hotels in the Killearn area east of the school if you get desparate, but that takes you farther away.</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK and GO NOLES!</p>
<p>Over the years we've found the Doubletree (downtown) handy and also the Comfort Suites on Apalachee Parkway.</p>
<p>Avoid the hotels near the Interstate, unless they are new. Remember that Thomasville, GA has some nice hotels.</p>
<p>If you want to start going to football games you must book far ahead and expect to pay double rates with a two-night minimum for the nicer locales.</p>
<p>Sometimes the Legislature is in session with legislators and lobbyists tying up virtually every hotel in the area for weeks.</p>
<p>Some folks buy a condo for their student. This is not a bad idea... ;)</p>
<p>If you have the $$ there is a furnished condo high-rise on College Avenue with a few units remaining. It is near the Law School, FSU and the Capitol area.</p>
<p>Dorms:</p>
<p>Freshmen - All renovated east-side dorms are great for establishing social connections and getting along without a car. New dorms for freshmen include Wildwood and DeGraff. The Honors dorm is nice if you qualify.</p>
<p>Upperclassmen - Students who want a bit more privacy and quiet like Ragans. </p>
<p>Florida</a> State University Housing - Undergraduate Housing - Residence Halls</p>
<p>Thanks so much! This is incredibly helpful. We were able to reserve the Marriott for $50 a night. What a bargain! The dorm advice is good too -- the ones we requested were on the east-side (Broward, Gilchrist, Reynolds) with Sallie as a backup. Our son will not be taking his car first semester; I hear the parking is a bear, and he will have enough to keep up with. Do you recommend a bike, or is the bus service enough? I didn't realize Wildwood and DeGraff were new...we didn't request those. Oh well! He will room with one of his best friends, who also got in, so that is most important to both of them. They both have Fla. Prepaid (in-state tuition), so we'll just pick up the difference compared to a prepaid dorm.</p>
<p>This is our first kid going away to college...it's all new...so I'm a bit of a basketcase! Thanks for all the info. The condo sounds like a great idea -- maybe in the future. We will definitely want to come for football games, and it sounds like advance planning is a must. Do you all know when the parents' weekend will be in 07?</p>
<p>Again THANKS to all of you! It is so nice to have this board to turn to for info and advice.</p>
<p>I believe you can change your dorm choices on the housing application until like May but the ones on your list are all nice. The "free" hall dorms with Florida prepaid Deviney, Dorman and Smith are not renovated so it is worth it to pay the difference for a newer suite dorm unless money is a concern.</p>
<p>GaNoleMom.... welcome</p>
<p>our son is also attending summer c 2008. we are all very excited.</p>
<p>re: housing. yes you can switch your dorm preferences. just login to the housing web page Florida</a> State University Housing</p>
<p>then click on the "housing agreements" link on the top, login and select "print/update agreement" you can change your dorm preference there. remember to save the change.</p>
<p>our s selected wildwood, gilchrist, degraff and bryan. much of the selection will depend on the housing priority number you have. Seeing how your s was in the first application pool, he should be in good shape getting into a nice dorm. we visited last august right before school started and the new dorms are really nice (almost like hotels). Both dorms accommodate 700 students and look the same. degraff is across the street from the main campus on Tennessee street. The main advantage to this dorm is that it is close to all the social activity/restaurants on Tennessee Street, close to the student union and business school. There is a tunnel that goes under tennesee street allowing the students to avoid having to wait for the lights to change.</p>
<p>Wildwood is located right near the football stadium. It is on the main campus (toward the west side of campus). It is close to all the sports facilities the Leach rec center which is awesome. It seemed like a really good location. The east side dorms have all been renovated recently and are also very nice. They are situated closer to the heart of the campus and that is a big bonus as well. </p>
<p>Remember that the housing agreement you have filled out is for the Fall 2008 term. Beginning in early February, the signup for summer 2008 will become available. Dont forget to do that as well. We are headed down for orientation may 19-20. </p>
<p>Good luck. If I can help in any way, feel free to contact me. I have learned so much from the likes of Cybermom, parent2noles, fsu-uf and others.</p>
<p>You are way ahead of the game being a member of college confidential.</p>
<p>Go Noles!</p>
<p>I forgot Kellum is the other "free" prepaid hall dorm.</p>
<p>FYI - Heritage Grove apartments also take the prepaid dorm plan as partial payment for the rent.</p>
<p>You don't need a bike at FSU. You can walk* almost everywhere and catch a bus for places that are too far to walk.</p>
<p>*Note: Some students are not used to walking everywhere and had to get in better physical condition to exploit the campus. This is a good time to mention that students need good shoes, rain gear, a solid backpack that can safely carry their laptop and a solid cell phone with service that works well at FSU (e.g. Alltel, ATT, Sprint, Verizon). We have had a family plan with Sprint and have been very happy with the service as all calls between Sprint phones are free and unlimited calling starts at 7:00PM. Alltel, Sprint and Verizon phones roam onto each others networks so coverage is excellent.</p>
<p>Hi all -- thanks again for the welcome and info! Yep, nycollegedad, our son (and his friend) are starting this summer too...I know there's another dorm signup in Feb. to think about. They both have good priority #s and should get into their dorm choice together, but let me ask you: if they choose another dorm (like Wildwood or DeGraff) do they lose their priority #? Or do they keep it? We may just stick with what we have now, not sure.</p>
<p>Thanks also for the info on the bike, parent2noles. One less thing to worry about! Cybermom -- I didn't realize there was an apartment that took (partial) prepaid too; we only have 1 year of dorm, and after that we'll have to deal with housing too...dorm seems great for freshmen, although after that don't they all want to move off campus? (I remember we did, back in the day!). I agree on the prepaid dorms, from what we've heard.</p>
<p>We have a good phone plan that will work, and our son plays a lot of sports so walking is no problem. In fact, he is very interested in intramural sports...seems that FSU has so many options in this area. Anyway, exciting times! Fun to have more students, parents and families to share the experience with.</p>
<p>You don't lose your priority number if you adjust your housing application.
In fact, it stays with you until you move off campus.
Yes many students want to move off campus after their freshmen year.
I had two years of prepaid dorm, so Heritage Grove worked at well for us not to lose our investment.
Finally, they do offer many intramural sports. My son enjoyed wrestling this year.</p>
<p>Sounds like you are in for an exciting time for your family in the coming year.</p>