<p>So, all you current Middlebury students and lucky almost-freshman who visited campus, whats the deal with freshman housing? Which freshman dorms are the best (in terms of room size, type, vibe, etc)</p>
<p>I know there's the commons system too. Is any one better than the others? Does being in a certain commons help you to get housing in that commons when you're an upperclassman (even though you're not required to live in your commons)? And on a related note, which upperclassman dorms are the best? </p>
<p>Any insight is appreciated! I've looked at the website a bit, but it doesn't give you much information.</p>
<p>I don’t think you have much choice in any of those questions freshman year. Your commons is decided by which freshman seminar you get into and your dorm is, I think, somewhat related to who is in that class as well (I think they try to keep things grouped together somewhat in that regard). I believe you have to live in the same commons both freshman and sophomore year and then for juniors and seniors, it’s strictly by lottery – which would say to me that being in a particular commons has less to do with room choice than a lottery number. And like any lottery – everyone has an equal chance of winning or losing (depending on how you look at it).</p>
<p>All of this being said, I really have no idea except that this is accurate but is only what I’ve gleaned from reading the website, the posts on here and a few other review type webpages (***** etc). <– not sure they allow any references to other resources on here. But you get the point.</p>
<p>Everything Modadunn said is accurate, I would add that there are certainly ‘better’ Commons to be placed into for freshman year but there is no way of improving your odds of getting better housing. Most would agree that Ross Commons is the best for fresh/soph because a) you get suites with common rooms and singles and b) particularly useful in the winter, you don’t need to go outside to get to the dining hall (flipflops and shorts for breakfast is nice). Other than that, they all have their advantages and disadvantages. Once you are placed into a specific dorm I can give you the details on what’s cool/what sucks about that particular dorm.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! How do they decide which seminars are affiliated with which commons? Do they try and put similar topics together (so that there is common interest) or do they try and give each a variety of seminars? </p>
<p>Also, I’ve heard that you don’t want to get put in Battell… But its the largest dorm for freshman, so, assuming there’s a 30% chance thats where I’ll end up, what would you say the advantages are to living there? </p>
<p>And what is the deal with laundry? If your dorm doesn’t have a laundry room, is it worth it to get the laundry service rather than having to lug your clothes to another dorm in the winter?</p>
<p>I’m not sure who these people are who keep saying you don’t want to be in Battell. That’s what “they” all said when I attended and I felt it was the BEST dorm to be in. Sure, it’s not the prettiest building (but it’s better than Stewart or Allen IMO) but the important thing to remember is that it’s where the majority of First years are. THAT makes it the best dorm to be in. You meet a lot of people here. It was the center of first year activity and social life. It’s also very centrally located. Some of my best friends, to this day, were people I met in Battell.</p>
<p>Is August 4th the day that we get our housing, roommate, and first seminar info? I seem to remember hearing that date somewhere but I may be wrong.</p>
<p>Regardless of what dorm or where on campus, do a lot of kids bring their bikes? And once it gets cold etc, where do they store them? Also… what’s the situation with the beds… do they loft? How much room and what kind of containers do people use to store their stuff. Closets? Miniscule or reasonable. We only saw one room when we toured the school and it was a walk BY not a walk IN… so you basically saw the window, plus you’re with a bunch of other people. I figure a room is a room, but now that I am trying to figure out what the kid will need and how I am going to get it there, I feel like I am guessing on the situation.</p>
<p>A lot of people do bring their bikes, there are racks everywhere for the warm weather, and locked storage rooms in each dorm building for the cold weather.</p>
<p>The beds certainly do loft, it saves a lot of space…I didn’t loft mine because I had enough space plus I was in a larger room but it can be done very easily.</p>
<p>Even the freshman rooms vary quite a bit in size. The largest, I believe, are in Stewart, while Battell or Allen are probably the smallest. The closets were fine for me, but I didn’t have a lot of clothes. My room had like a shelf right above you when you walk in that you can store a lot of stuff. One thing I would really recommend would be the under-bed storage containers that fit a lot of stuff–you might as well use that space.</p>
<p>All you need are some extra post things to stick under each corner of the bed, the school has them all available for you when you move in, just ask the people who help you move in.</p>
<p>My room in Allen was actually pretty big (bigger than Battell, probably some of the larger freshman rooms overall) with the largest closet I’ve had yet. Pretty basic and square though. Recently renovated, but not much character. You can’t really expect much freshman year… My advice for getting ready to move in is to cut down on the stuff that you think you might need, but will probably never use (and parents, let your kids bring what they know they’ll want, not necessarily what you think they should have). Don’t go for gimmicky dorm organizers or things like that from Bed, Bath and Beyond. A lot of people on my hall freshman year ended up getting rid of or giving away storage containers because they were just taking up space instead of saving it. Bring decoration that means something to you, not just random posters you bought. Also, really play with the layout of the room. Trying lofting, bunking, rearranging desks and creating unique spaces. A space with some character will feel more comfortable and welcoming. Your room is going to be a way people get to know you, so put some thought into it.</p>
<p>i lived in stewart in my freshman year, and i think that overall it was a good experience. stew is different in the sense that the floors aren’t coed; last year the 1st and 4th floors were for guys while 2nd-3rd and 5th floors were for girls, it could change this year though. the rooms were definitely fine, much bigger than some ross doubles and the rooms in allen and battell. since it was a long hallway with around 40 other guys, it’s been loud most of the time, but it was really fun. the bathroom part was kind of annoying as there were only 4 showers for around 42 people, but you get used to it. locationwise stew is one of the best as well, since it’s the closest dorm to the gym, to the student center (with the mail center, the grille, middxpress, etc), proctor dining hall - it’s also really close to the library as well. so yeah, stew is really good in these senses, and it’s the dorm i can talk the most about since i lived there.</p>
<p>as for battell, i remember it being the center of most freshman parties for especially the first few weeks. people from there also form a great sense of community, one that i haven’t seen in people from other dorms. it’s definitely liveable despite the really small rooms.</p>
<p>allen was nice too, i think it has the nicest freshman rooms (not too big though), it’s really close to atwater, but not to anything else.</p>
<p>so yeah, i’d say all freshman dorms have their pluses or minuses, and all present a different living experience. none are terrible, but don’t expect a lot either!</p>