I have heard so many mixed things about Jester. I’ve had some friends say that they absolutely would never want to live there, while others say that it’s a great way to meet people and that they’ve loved it…
So if you’ve visited Jester/know anyone who stays there, etc., can you give me your input? I found a great roommate, but she wants to live in Jester. I want to live in San Jac, but it’s more expensive 
Is Jester a good choice for a freshman? Why or why not?
I lived there 25 years ago and loved it. My kid has stayed there for summer camps and is hoping to stay there as a freshman in the fall. It’s a bustling, fun dorm.
I have a freshman son that will be returning to Jester (West). I have written a few posts about his experiences. It is close to everything - the rec center, the library, classes. It has everything you need right there - food, tutoring, etc. His room was renovated last summer, so he was the first to sleep on his mattress! Very few of the less expensive dorms have sinks in the rooms. Jester does. Community bath is always clean and never has other students in there at the same time - I don’t know why this is - but my son says he was in the bathroom on only two occasions all year when there was someone else in there at the same time. That beats a suite bathroom you have to share with three other people AND clean and pay a premium for!
It was NOT my first choice for him, but I don’t get to choose. If I were sending a daughter to UT, and she wanted to stay in Jester, that would be fine with me. However, I would much rather see her in a smaller community for what it is worth!
I lived there 24 years ago, & loved it! The only thing that was terrible about it, the food, is no longer an issue. Lots of great food choices now in Jester and around campus. My son put Jester as his first choice when we thought he was going to be a Longhorn. It’s location can’t be beat, most study sessions for classes on campus meet at Jester, & it’s mainly a freshman dorm so it’s super easy to meet and make new friends. I’ve been inside Jester several times in the last year & it’s still a great place. I don’t understand SanJacinto’s appeal. The rooms & bathrooms seem small and it’s at the bottom of the hill, right next to the stadium. If you haven’t been on campus for game day, it’s hard to imagine. The activity & deafening noise from early morning to late at night will be an issue. Even when you plan on being at the game. I just wasn’t impressed with SJ at all.
I was living in Jester last year. I’ve been both East and West and the only thing I can say is that choose East if you hd a choice.