<p>I'm applying for housing at Iowa this weekend and I've stayed at colleges where I've had to use community bathrooms and I haven't liked them but apparently you meet a lot of people with it and thats how you make friends? frankly I don't see how a shower or toothbrushing session does that but if anybody has any thoughts I'd appreciate it. thanks!</p>
<p>Well, it has been 30 years since I was in a freshman in a dorm, but other than wireless coverage and flat screen TVs, things have not changed that much. I don’t remember meeting anyone n the community bathrooms (what college student wants to socialize at 8AM!). Although most dorms have shared bathrooms, you generally meet people because they leave their doors open when they are there and want to socialize, or you meet them in the halls, during meals, in the lounge, etc. </p>
<p>I have heard that some dorms that are suite style (i.e. Mayflower) may be a little less social, because the living arrangement may lead to fewer people with open doors and in the lounges. But people have been happy with either arrangement, and everyone adjusts quickly to the community bathroom thing.</p>
<p>Surprisingly, most of Iowa’s dorms have sinks in the rooms. This is a very nice feature. You can, at least, brush your teeth and wash your face & hands in your own dorm room! You can also get a drink of water, too.</p>