Housing: Honors vs Residential College

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
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<p>I understand Honors housing will move back to South Quad in the fall. Does anyone know howl the renovated SQ will compare to the East Quad, where Residential College students live? Would like to hear about differences in facilities, locations, study spaces, room sizes, bathrooms, dining, laundry, etc. Both seem to be coed -- are they configured similarly (e.g., single-sex floors or wings or all mixed together)?</p>

<p>And how about the general vibe of each (honors and RC) in terms of community feel/social life?</p>

<p>Also, are honors classes held in the South Quad, or would they just be spread throughout campus?</p>

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<p>When I lived in EQ in the dark ages (70’s) floors AND bathrooms were co-ed. Well, the shower area was supposed to be single-sex with some bathroom showers designated “men” and some designated “women,” but who could read? Actually, I think someone posted here quite a while ago that the U no longer allows this fun and has even put locks on the bathroom doors. So very sad. Glad I did not go to college during the PC or safety-conscious years.</p>

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<p>I’ll try an easier question: can someone familiar with the Residential College (post-renovation) describe their dorm rooms and facilities? Coed by hall or floor? </p>

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<p>Well, first I’ll say that, as a student in both programs, if you join the RC you have to live in EQ, and you should only join the RC if you are really interested…the intensive language requirement, especially, is no joke. :)</p>

<p>Otherwise:
I’m in both programs, living in EQ right now. I can’t say much about SQ because it’s closed this year for renovations and I don’t know what it’s going to look like next year. I know the dining hall is going to be huge (more than twice the capacity as EQ, I think, like…450 vs. 950 people) and the first floor/basement are going to be renovated, but I don’t think they’re going to be doing much to the rooms. They’re redoing the bathrooms but not adding A/C to student rooms, which is a huge con for about the first month and a half of school.</p>

<p>As for EQ: the building is big (but smaller than SQ), some halls are co-ed, others are single sex. The floors are co-ed, so even if you’re in a single sex hall there are almost certainly people of the other sex nearby. The dining hall is nice, a bit too small, but food is good. There’s an adjustable thermostat in all rooms. Bathrooms are nice; there are men, women, and gender neutral community ones. There are lots of study spaces and classrooms in the basement/first floor that hold RC classes and various discussion sections for LSA classes. As for your question about honors classes: the honors program isn’t residential, so no, there aren’t classes in SQ, just in other LSA buildings.</p>

<p>Hopefully that helps.</p>

5

<p>Thank you, jen101. Very impressive that you’re in both. Do you mind saying what you’re majoring in?</p>

<p>Would you say the language requirement is the most important academic feature of the RC to consider? Not so worried about that – actually love that part – am wondering about the RC classes and seminars. Is there much greater emphasis on writing and are there more papers to submit than in a regular LSA class? Creative writing is also not a strong suit – is everyone there a super strong writer?</p>

<p>And how would Honors classes compare? And, if possible to comment on this . . . how about grades? Is it generally harder to get As in RC and Honors than in regular LSA classes?</p>

<p>Finally, back to housing: are there many RCers who also participate in Greek life? Does being a freshman in the RC restrict you from that in any way (unofficially)? Thanks for your guidance!</p>

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<p>I’m undeclared as of right now but I’m almost definitely majoring in psychology with a minor in community action and social change (through the school of social work). </p>

<p>I definitely think the language requirement is the thing that sets the RC apart from the rest of LSA. The first year seminars aren’t too bad. In my seminar I actually did significantly less writing than my friends in normal English 125 classes did. (of course, the seminars change every year, and each professor is different.)</p>

<p>You definitely don’t have to be an amazing academic writer to be in the RC. The professors definitely want to help you! The seminars are really small (<15 people, I’d say) and you’re on a first name basis with them, so that’s nice.</p>

<p>As for creative writing: No, not everyone is into it! But I would say that most people in the RC are interested in some kind of art, whether visual or written.</p>

<p>Honors vs. RC classes: RC classes, outside of the language requirement, maybe, are no harder than LSA classes. Honors classes can be harder but I can’t comment on grades because I don’t know your strengths. But I will say I was in an honors section of a huge intro. biology class and the only difference was that we had a professor instead of a GSI, so no difference in the curriculum or anything. Otherwise I think if you’re accepted into the honors program in the first place you can definitely do fine in honors classes.</p>

<p>Now, for greek life, there are definitely some RC people who are part of it (including my roommate last year), however I personally only know girls in the RC and sororities, I can’t think of any RC guys I know who are in frats, but IDK they might exist. Either way, know that a) you’ll be in the minority and b) you won’t be able to live in the house until your junior year, probably, because the RC very rarely grants people permission to live outside of EQ their first two years and still remain in the RC.</p>

<p>In all, as you can probably tell I definitely would recommend joining the RC. :slight_smile: I don’t have so many good feelings toward the Honors Program…I don’t think it’s entirely necessary, because you can still join the honors program as a junior and do the thesis and whatnot, but it doesn’t hurt to join, either.</p>

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<p>This is all so helpful. We have seen some CC talk about RC kids being artsy types – sound like you would consider it more diverse than that, right? Would you expect living in the Honors dorm to be more diverse, or about the same? Do you think one has a more social/community feel than the other, or that one is more studious than the other? I know both are for LSA, but would one be better for someone who may be interested in possibly applying to business later? (Have you found that there are students like that around?)</p>