<p>So I'm starting to apply for housing now, and where are the best places for freshmen? I know it's a vague question, but anybody have any reviews?</p>
<p>Well, you don’t actually get to choose/request a specific dorm, so the answer really isn’t of any consequence. I would, however, recommend the modern dorms over traditional because I personally prefer the convenience of having your own bathroom per suite and the amenities are probably a bit nicer/newer on average.</p>
<p>I’ll give a brief run-down of freshman dorms.</p>
<p>Note: every dorm comes with some form of common room/study space per floor. Some come with bookable rooms, music rooms, etc.</p>
<p>Modern style (2 doubles with your own private bathroom, shared with 3 other people):
Park: Really far away from campus, is the only dorm to have three doubles to a suite. Large rooms, has own private hallway space and extended closet space. Has large classrooms and study rooms for use, as well as a full music area.
Danforth: Oldest of the moderns, probably the least nice (It’s where I live, but still really nice!). Own private library, two classrooms, piano, and other space. Really far away from campus. Awkward stairs, thin ceilings.
Umrath: Newest modern, like a palace. Very close to Bear’s Den (dining hall).
Lien: Closest to campus. Lien 4 (TFL) is infamously always a giant drinking/party floor. On top of a late-night cafe (easy way to get food).
Dardick: On top of student health services (can be convenient?). No sub-free floors.
Eliot: Smallest modern dorm. Very close to Bear’s Den (main dining hall).
Koenig: Very close to campus. Dorm is built like a castle (lot of students love that). High ceilings.</p>
<p>Traditional:
Rubelmann (“Ruby”): Very close to Bear’s Den
Lee: No special comments about Lee…
Beaumont (“Bow” as in bow & arrow): No special comments, either</p>
<p>Note that the traditionals come with tempurpedic mattresses while around 80% of the moderns do. Every dorm has some common/study space, some tv’s, etc. I’d really recommend a modern (as it’s just more convenient), but if you want the traditional college style living, go with what you want.</p>
<p>synth204, are you sure Danforth is the oldest modern? I can’t find out when it was built, but it seems fairly new to me and I know for a fact that Park and Mudd were built in 1989.</p>
<p>chkw94, it’s important to note that freshmen can’t choose a preference for which dorm they’re in. The only choices you get are modern/traditional and the type of room/suite you want. If you do a search of this forum for “modern” or “traditional,” you’ll find plenty of discussions about which style of housing people prefer.</p>
<p>Really? I thought Park/Mudd was built in the early 2000s. Danforth was 1997 (I think), so I guess I’m wrong on that front. Learn something new every day.</p>
<p>Cornerstone maintains a list of the year all dorms were built an renovated for disability purposes. You can check it out on their webpage if so inclined,</p>
<p>I would say go traditional. You get to know your floor VERY well and there will always be people to talk to</p>
<p>^Same with modern. It all depends on the people on your floor, not thy type of floor.</p>
<p>
Minor correction - Lien only has 3 floors. So you’re talking about Lien 3.</p>
<p>TFL! TFL!</p>
<p>edit: Marcdvl - thanks for the info about cornerstone. It’s really cool to see the access for different dorms/buildings on campus.</p>
<p>One thing they generally don’t mention on campus tours or in CC is that modern housing is about $1,000 more a year than traditional, so that may matter to some kids. We did pay for modern for my son (he was very lucky to have Umrath this year and South 40 House next year) but it needs to be considered.</p>
<p>i’ve heard rumors that ruby’s finally being torn down and rebuilt this summer (<em>sniff, ruby love</em>), and probably as a consequence, that rutledge will again be a sub-free freshman dorm (instead of a sophomore dorm, like it’s supposed to be). not sure how true these are.</p>
<p>As far as I know, the Ruby plan has been planned for a while but it’s not top priority. That is, they’ll do it when they’re sure they have funding for it. With the construction on Umrath this year and Eliot next year, I’m not so sure they’re going to follow through with Ruby for some time. I could be wrong, though.</p>
<p>i know for a fact that rutledge will once again be a freshman dorm next year - one of my friends will be a WUSA for it next year. this could mean that the plans to knock down ruby could be happening very soon</p>
<p>just curious - what construction was going on in umrath this year and what are they planning for eliot? i have friends in umrath and have not heard or seen any construction. wasn’t it built like 3 years ago anyway - what could they possibly be doing?</p>
<p>Umrath Hall. And they’re knocking down Eliot.</p>
<p>oh THOSE buildings. got it, was confused since this thread is about housing. yea i know about that construction nvm</p>
<p>Speaking of construction, anyone know what’s up with sever labs?</p>
<p>My best guess is that they’re planning to transfer all of the SEAS technology into the new engineering buildings, but I’m not certain.</p>
<p>marc- engineering gave Sever to Law. Sever is no longer an engineering building.</p>
<p>So they’re completely renovating it.</p>
<p>Hmm. Not sure why law would even want sever.</p>