<p>Hey guys, I'm still not positive about going to UIUC for computer engineering but I think I'm at least going to reserve a dorm. I'm having trouble picking one but people are telling me to choose FAR. It has the women in engineering (WIE) program but I heard its pretty far away from classes. Has anyone already signed up for housing or can anyone else give me suggestions? (I haven't visited UIUC yet) Thanks!!</p>
<p>oh and is anyone else in for computer engineering??</p>
<p>Although I will more then likely stay in a Private housing, the FAR is a pretty nice place in comparison to the other university residency halls. When I was there, I really didn't like PAR or ISR very much, but that's my opinion. I also like Allen Hall. too.</p>
<p>Good Luck,</p>
<p>Jerod</p>
<p>For engineering, I would say definitely ISR. It's both air-conditioned, a newer building, and it's very close to the engineering portion of campus.</p>
<p>If you want private housing, Hendrick House looks pretty dang nice for an engineering student. :D</p>
<p>FAR definitely lives up to its name as being the farthest of any dorm from the main acedamic quad, about .7 of a mile (and even farther from the engineering quad, almost .9 miles). It is fairly easy to walk that .7 miles -- until January when the temperature dips to 10 or below, but busses run throughout the campus constantly (and their cost is included in your tuition/fees). The WIE program is not bad -- it puts you in a group of women who actually do study quite a bit; also the program has some designated freshman courses in math, chemistry and physics for which WIE students have priority in registration and you will learn the importance of that when you go to register as a first semester freshman and look at the computer screen and see a big C for closed next to several classes you want at the times you want. It is also in one of the few air-conditioned dorms (Trelease where WIE makes up the first three floors). ISR (Illinois Street Residence Hall) is the closest to both the engineering quad and the Main Quad and heavily occupied by engineering students, but it can be difficult for freshman to get into. Also, personal view is that is one the worst dorms on site. Decor is the generally worn look, and its heating and air-conditioning units are noisy and smell as if no one has ever bothered to clean the ducts. FAR's neighbor is PAR and I would probably avoid that one too because it looks and feels dull. The Allen Hall is about halfway between the Main Quad and FAR and is nice (but not air-conditioned), the building design is impressive, but it is reserved exclusively for the Unit One Living and Learning group although that is not that difficult to get into (and like WIE gives you some priority classes). The Gregory and Peabody Drive residences are fairly close to the Main Quad. The infamous "six-pack" is there, six dorms known for their party reputation (and could easily be called Chicago south as they are heavily occupied by Chicago area students). However, places like Barton (all girls and shares dining and other amenties with Lungren which is all guys) which is not one of the six pack but is in the same area tend to be nice and have a somewhat more studious group, and all the dorms in that area have larger rooms than anywhere else and some of the double rooms are extra large (double the size of the usual small double room) but sophomores tend to cannibalize those extra large rooms before freshman ever get to choose. </p>
<p>All the dorms that house freshman have community baths. If you want a bath shared with only one other room, you need to go for private certified housing (which means the university approves them for freshman students), most of which are generally nice, have larger rooms, but also have larger prices and almost double the price of a dorm for the really nice ones.</p>
<p>All in all none of the dorms is a palace, but none is a dungeon either.</p>
<p>I should point out that UIUC's dorms are TINY compared to other colleges. Almost all the double rooms are the same size: 130 sq ft. This is probably why only 30% of the student body lives in campus housing, which includes freshmen who have to live there.</p>
<p>geeze drusba, how do you know all of that?? that was deff really helpful =] and thanx to everyone else who responded!! </p>
<p>Do you think its worth the extra money for the private housing or should i just stay in a dorm?? Where are the private houses located? really far away? </p>
<p>I kinda want to live in a private house but if not then I think its between FAR and Allen.</p>
<p>As to location of the private certified housing, much is on the west to northwest side (north of the gregory/peadody dorms), some on the east to northeast side. Almost all are within easy walking distance to the main quad (where you are likely to have most of your freshman classes) and all of them are significantly closer to that quad than FAR, which is located on the far southeast side of the main campus (the main quad is center north and the engineering quad is north of it). The Hendrick House mentioned above is close to the engineering quad. None of them are houses per se but instead large buildings like dorms that operate very similar to dorms (with their own dining halls, computer rooms, rec rooms, etc.). Some (like Hendrick House) have double rooms (and some tripples, and singles) like dorms (but larger; for example, FAR rooms are 11' by 10', Hendrick is more like 11 by 20), some (like Illinois Tower) have apartment style rooms (2 to 4 bedroom apartments that have a small living room and kitchen) and one (Armory House Suites) has only large single rooms and two rooms share a bath. You can go to UIUC's site to its Residence Hall section and do some exploring as it has a lot of info, including even room sizes on the site. </p>
<p>As to staying in private housing, it is a question of choice and cost. They cost more than the dorms, anywhere from a $1,000 per year to $6,000 per year (Armory House Suites) more than the typical $6500 for room and board in the dorms. Also, you will find for the most part that they are quieter than the dorms and many who choose the dorms instead look at them as too quiet. They have many upperclassmen in them besides freshman.</p>
<p>You know I am Sonya! Anyway, I'm going for ISR for my first year and perhaps moving to private or a sorority later. ISR is close to the engineering buildings. And yes, the dorms are TINY. [shudder].. Apart of the college experience neh?</p>
<p>If you were an out-of-state student, would you rather choose a dorm that's right there by the quad(Newman) but has community baths or one that's half a mile away but has private bathrooms(Armory)? I'm trying to decide cuz those seem to be the cheapest ones on campus...Or would you pay like $1000 more to live Bromley(double or triple?)?</p>
<p>My twin brother and I currently have a lease for the new CPM building on 512 S. third st. (the luxury apartments). We have a four bedroom place for the two of us so far because two of our friends bailed out at the last second. We are looking for 2 roommates but one would even do. The years rent is around $6,000. I know it seems like alot but this place is totally worth it. It has never been lived in and has two floors, three full bathrooms, four bedrooms, granite counter tops, a huge living room, a view of the park, a washer dryer, and it is close to the campus. This place is nothing but luxurious. We have bought a brand new couch and a 52'' plasma tv for next year thanks to our older brother who got drafted to the NY Rangers. My brother and I our nice and easy to get along with, so if you need a place Email me at <a href="mailto:mmontoy2@uiuc.edu">mmontoy2@uiuc.edu</a> to get more info.
Thanks
Marcos</p>