What are the best housing options at Penn? As an incoming freshman of C’21, I have been looking at the New College House, but I have heard from some that it can feel rather isolated. I’m not looking for a super rowdy and busy hall, but I do like opportunities to be social and make new friends. What do you all recommend?
The quintessential Freshman housing experience at Penn is the Quad. It is where most freshmen live. You meet people, make friends, and there is a lot going on. The rooms aren’t great, and you may hate it by the end, but you will always be able to say that you lived in the Quad.
When Hill House reopens in the fall, 550 freshmen (20% of the class) will live next door to NCH (will be named Lauder house by then), You will have to walk across campus for other activities, but for SEAS students the engineering QUAD is within steps.
If you want to live in a four year house, NCH is undeniably one of the most luxurious places to choose; private rooms, wonderful lounges, best cafeteria, places to gather, cook, use music practice rooms, see gorgeous views. The staff is incredible. Current freshmen did not feel very isolated; unless they had trouble finding friends among 350 NCH class mates. Many are choosing to stay and others are opting for fraternity housing or dorm rooms with kitchens.
Re: isolation - Most of your classes in the College are going to be in the center of campus (5ish minute walk from NCH), but as a freshman, you will be taking a more diverse set of courses, some of which may be held on the eastern end of campus. During my freshman year (a long time ago, now, but still relevant), I had 2 classes and a recitation in or near DRL during the fall, and I had 3 classes and two recitations in or near DRL during the spring. Living in Hill turned out to be way more convenient than I had expected!