<p>I’m filing for housing now and I’ve gotten many different opinions on the different options of housing. What I’ve gathered is that Sierra Madre and Yosemite are the most popular dorms for partying, but I’ve heard a lot of good feedback about the red brick dorms as well and I like how they are separate by major (making it easier to do homework haha). While social life is important to me, I like to be able to relax and do other things besides partying as well - how “loud” are the towers and would the red brick dorms be a better option? I’ve heard that the red bricks allow you to meet a lot more people because the floors are so large but they are also smaller than the sierra madre dorms. I’ll be a business major next year so I’d be in Tenaya, any insight about how I should rank my housing would be appreciated thanks!</p>
<p>I’d put Tenaya for my first choice, especially if you’re business. The business world (any industry really though), is all about making connections. I’ve met some people who lived in Tenaya their freshman year and they were not disappointed. You meet people in the dorms and go on to have classes with them for the rest of your time here. You’re also making connections with people who will work in the same field as you that can carry on after graduation. Also, you’re closer to campus. Yosemite is practically off campus. And the truth is, if you want a party, you can find one in just about any dorm on a college campus.</p>
<p>My daughter loved Yosemite Tower O last year. She became very close to her tower mates and they were not considered loud partiers. Oh, they certainly enjoyed a good time, but they pretty much followed the “quiet time rules” in her dorm. Their tower even won Tower of the Year and much of that was from academic success. (GPA). Her tower was the closest to the main part of campus. I think you’ll do fine where ever you end up. Just remember that a triple in Red Bricks will be “cozier” than in Yosemite. In 2010 they only had doubles in Yosemite and Sierra Madre.</p>
<p>I would personally pick the red bricks, although either option is probably fine. Yosemite and Sierra Madre have reputations as party dorms which, for the most part, are lived up to. The red bricks are much closer to class, and the living conditions are pretty much the same. To add onto 2Leashes’ experience, this year they had triples and quads (most of which were eventually broken up, there was even a six person room in the red bricks) in both dorms. </p>
<p>Just don’t pick Cerro!</p>
<p>Matark----My daughter’s tower had strict RAs. They really enforced the noise rules, as well as any other rules such as drinking, un-authorized partying in the dorms, etc. But, it can be a crap shoot at any dorm. It just depends on the kids in any given year.</p>
<p>SIX kids in a Red Bricks dorm room???!! Wow. I can’t even begin to visualize that! Three seemed cramped enough (looking at the photos and hearing from parents whose kids lived in a triple.) The Yosemite room my daughter was in (double) was LARGE! And, the closets were huge.</p>
<p>Why do so many people say to not pick Cerro? I visited a bunch of the different dorms and I decided Cerro would be the best for me. There are different styles of personality and some people like having a room to themselves. Also, I already have the experience of living with roommates and I think I can focus more on my studies in the single room since I am sometimes easily distracted.</p>
<p>@michael2: My two daughters would agree with you. They prefer having a private room to themselves, sharing a full bath with just one other person, and chose Cerro Vista over any of the other dorms. I think Cerro might appeal to students who are a little more independent, since it is apartment-style living. It depends on your personality. It’s probably more social in the dorms, but you will meet people in Cerro too. At Open House we looked at all the housing options, learned about the different learning communities, and my younger daughter was most impressed with Cerro. That’s ok if many people choose to live in the dorms (and enjoy arguing over which one is the best) - that just means there’s a better chance of you (and my younger daughter) getting into Cerro Vista! My older daughter lived happily in Cerro last year (she’s in Poly Canyon Village now), and had no regrets.</p>
<p>@michael2: Our son also selected Cerro for the same reasons that Coparent stated. He has had a fabulous year. The room-mates were random assignments and even though they all have very different interests they respect each other and get along just fine. My son loves that he can be social and still have privacy for studying or getting sleep on HIS schedule. There are community events. It has worked out just great.</p>
<p>I think people say don’t pick cerro because for some people, it can be kinda disappointing. If you like to be around people a lot you really have to make that effort to socialize if you live in cerro, and for some reason, some people seem to think it’s like really far away from everything (which is not true, it’s just a little bit farther than north mountain). </p>
<p>There were 4-6 people in some red brick rooms this year, but these weren’t typical little dorm dorms. They were overflow rooms, which are larger and usually used as lounges or storage spaces.</p>
<p>NTKS17 posted:</p>
<p>“There were 4-6 people in some red brick rooms this year, but these weren’t typical little dorm dorms. They were overflow rooms, which are larger and usually used as lounges or storage spaces.”</p>
<hr>
<p>Okay, that makes more sense. 
I know about the overflow areas. Definitely larger than a dorm room in Red Bricks.</p>
<p>what are the bathrooms like at yosemite, sierra madre, and red bricks? how many people share a bathroom?</p>
<p>In Yosemite there are two large bathrooms on a floor. One for guys and one for girls. 12 students share each one. Since not everyone has classes at the same time, it’s not an issue with sharing. My daughter never complained. She carried her toiletries in a small, plastic shower caddy and it worked great. She had a towel bar on her closet door. The bathroom was right outside her room.</p>
<p>They’re also doing themed housing in the towers this year and I’m not sure how that will turn out - it sounds like each “theme” will have its own socials, bbqs and other fun stuff, etc?</p>
<p>I noticed that. Interesting concept and will be curious to see how it works. I suppose it might be good for kids who aren’t into partying and want a sober lifestyle yet still want to live in the towers. And, of course all the other themes they have listed, as well. It might be hard to choose for some kids. :)</p>
<p>How do we choose yosemite/ sierra madre? I cant seem to find that option on my housing application. Do the themes we choose decide where we dorm in yosemite or sierra???</p>
What is Fremont Hall like?
@ajens0820, please start a new thread.