<p>I am kind of interested in this dorm specifically because it has suites with no communal bathrooms. It just seems weird brushing teeth, showering, and etc. with other dudes in the same room.. plus I have some acne and it would look pretty gay if I used a face wash infront of other dudes....yeeaah so anyone know?</p>
<p>Every dorm has its pluses and minuses. For Van R, it has a ballroom with a piano and a nice skyview lounge on the top floor for hanging out our bringing a lady friend (its view is probably going to be obstructed anyways with the construction of the new dorm). Its right next to ross commons (which is a pay-cafeteria), but you can use your dining meals in a new program called Take 3 there. However, I highly suggest a traditional dorm since its slightly cheaper, you'd make friends easier, and get the traditional first year college experience. I wouldn't worry about facewash... trust me, nobody is going to care, and I've seen A LOT of guys doing weirder stuff freshman year. Communal bathrooms really aren't that bad once you get used to them. Someone cleans your bathroom daily, and you almost never have to wait to use a shower or stall or sink. To answer your first questions, I think the walk to classes from Van R is like 15 minutes. Van R is the dorm furthest away, and I'd say a good chunk of off-campus housing is a closer walk than Van R.</p>
<p>I lived in a suite-style dorm, and everyone on my floor loved it. North, race, and East also do not share bathrooms, as well as the new dorm that Drexel is currently building. Van R is the furthest from classes though, but not by much- it's right next to two other dorms- about 3-4 blocks i would say</p>
<p>it's true that most people that have a suite style dorm freshman year like it, but that's because they don't know any better. When they redid Kelly Hall, they moved all of Kelly Hall out to the new Race St. Dorm with suites. All of my friends said although Race St. was a lot newer, they preferred Kelly because Kelly was one of the most social dorms, with everyone on the floor hanging out and doing stuff together. When you lock yourself in a suite, its totally different. I'm not saying suites are bad, I live in a suite right now and love it, but I'm an upperclassman. The suite style of living isn't worth the extra money freshman year.</p>
<p>don't listen to cutiepie. the new dorm that they are building is for sophomores and HAS community bathrooms and are not suites... students specifically requested that type of social living for sophomores. Also its not called East, its called Caneris Hall.</p>
<p>um ok...i go to drexel too, and some people have different opinions-</p>
<p>Bottom line, you should do what makes you most comfortable- Zackdudde obviously loved his regular frosh style housing, and I also loved my suite-style housing and I don't think I was cheated out of any college experiences- in fact, my best friend lived in Kelly the year they moved to Race, and loved Race, just for the experience of suite-style living. But you should do what makes you comfortable- if you're not comfortable with the idea of communal bathrooms, then definitely go for the suite-style.</p>
<p>(P.S. They changed the name to Caneris last year, but most people at Drexel still call it East, thank you)</p>
<p>Yeah, I'd have to agree with cutiepie. I lived in Race my freshman year and loved it. I've spent plenty of time in the traditional style dorms of friends and while my experience was a bit different than theirs, I wouldn't say one was better than the other overall. For specific reasons, having a suite is better than a traditional dorm, and in some ways a traditional dorm is better. For one, having your own bathroom/showers is awesome. Race has two showers per dorm. Having a kitchenette is great too. The suites provide full-sized fridges, cabinet & counter space, and van-R has stoves/ovens in each room. You can actually make big shopping trips and have places to store a lot of food other than under you bed...and you save money not having to buy a mini fridge. You can also keep all of your own kitchenware and cookware if you like to cook.
Theres also an added level of privacy that is beneficial. You can leave the door to your suite open to allow free socialization, but still have a locking bedroom door in case you wanted some privacy. The common areas were great. We had a futon in ours as well as the other furniture that was provided with the dorm. You can decorate these like a small apartment, with tv, sound systems, artwork...etc. If my roommate ever wanted some alone time...either to study, with a girl/guyfriend...or w.e.... one of us could use the common room, and one could use the bedroom. This also provided extra sleeping spots for 3 guests comfortably.
The other benefits are you can pretty much drink/do whatever you want freely in the bedrooms cause you can't really hear anything going on in the bedrooms from the hallways.... you'll see a lot more kids get caught for liquor violations in the traditonal dorms than suites.</p>
<p>Traditonal style dorms also have their benefits...such as not having to clean your own bathroom...but I do not regret living in a suite whatsoever. I don't feel like I missed out on anything and would definitely recommend them if you're interested. </p>
<p>Zachdude...While I think you are very knowledgeable about Drexel and have good intentions, from reading your posts you seem to have the tendency to give information regardless if you know anything about the topic or not. I've caught a few instances of mis-information you've passed off as fact. Just to name a couple...I noticed you bashing the honors program a bit in the other thread when you aren't even in honors....and giving false facts about greek life when you aren't in greek life. Its okay to say I don't know and let someone else answer or let the asker look elsewhere for the information.</p>
<p>By the way... the walk from Van-R is the farthest out of the dorms... Your average walk will be 3 - 6 blocks to class depending on where it is. A mile is about 10 city blocks to give you some perspective.</p>
<p>Overall... I consider the walks to class one of the perks about Drexel... students going to big state schools have classes that are sometimes a 1/2 hour to 45 minute walk away from their dorms. At Drex, there is nowhere you'll be living freshman year that you can't get to class in 10-15 minutes max if you walk casually. The walk between classes is usually 5 - 10 minutes or so taking into account the time navigating some of the maze-like buildings such as main.</p>
<p>depee, you also have good intentions and you provide your opinions, however your remarks about me made me chuckle. Have I been bashing the honors college? I wouldn't say bashing it... its not like i think its bad to be in the honors college, but I think that the honors college makes themselves seem a little better than they actually are. admissions and the honors college will tell you that you are "special" since you got into the honors college and one of the perks would be a premium "honors dorm" when really this is just a ploy by Drexel.</p>
<p>Lastly, the text before this is not misinformation, its an OPINION. You may not realize this, but most of the readers on this message board don't just want regurgitated talk from admissions or student ambassadors. After all, they probably already got the talk on a tour from Drexel. Most want to know what do students really think and feel about these programs. I've gotten a lot of good feedback and messages about what I write because I provide another viewpoint. As far as all the admissions questions go, I've stated all the time that the person to ask all your questions to is admissions itself and I'm not the best to answer them, but some insist just to get my viewpoint.</p>
<p>bottom line is more of ANY information on here from more current students (even if you or i disagree with something) is better for everyone, wouldn't you agree. If it takes some of my strong opinions to get other drexel students (like you) to write their opinions on this board for everyone, then I would say my original intentions were successful.</p>
<p>it's your attitude, Zac...I agree more information is better than none, but you do not have to be rude or nasty to people...please refrain from saying students "don't know any better..." and the "honors college is a ploy"- that's just insulting. If you are in the honors college, then please discuss it. However, there's really no point in talking about something you are not a part of correct? I think those in the honors program actually know the pros/cons than someone who is not in. For example, I do not say anything about COE because I'm not an engineer-</p>
<p>Please be polite. Remember, you're always representing Drexel here on CC, so please be respectful of others.</p>