<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I will most likely be attending Columbia in the fall. I am torn between John Jay and Carman for housing. I really like the idea of having a single being able to retreat to my own room whenever I want. But the dorm parties in Carman and overall more social atmosphere is definitely more attractive. How much less social is John Jay and would the people on my floor tend to be less social than those in Carman? </p>
<p>Thanks a lot</p>
<p>Actually, in some ways, JJ-people tend to have a stronger bond than Carman folks. I think part of the reason may be that if you are in Carman, in the suite setup and the larger number of people on your floor, it’s easier to get into mini-cliques. On the other hand, in John Jay since everyone is in a single, everyone has the incentive to go out and meet each other.</p>
<p>hey there… so i sent this to a group of prospective students back when i was an ickle firstie. just reread it, and i still pretty much agree with it. enjoy!</p>
<p>Carman: The stereotypical freshman dorm for just about any university. Ugly (the building, not the people), loud, social, a lot of fun and… the occasional vomit in the elevators, etc. Actually I’ve never seen any vomit anywhere, but its a fun rumor to spread, no? Carman has air-conditioning and semi-private bathrooms (4 people to one). You’ll share your cinder block cubicle with one other person, and then you two will be sharing a suite with another pair of same-sex people. Basically this means you open the door that leads to the hallway and see three more doors: one for the bathroom, and then two for each of the “residences.” A lot of prefrosh are always concerned about being able to study in such a loud environment… don’t forget, you’re coming to Columbia. Everyone will have to study - you’ll just get to have more fun when you’re not studying! Also, the security guards (who swipe your IDs to get in) seem to much nicer than any other of the security guards. Also, there is a kitchen in the lounge. </p>
<p>John Jay: The (kinda) picture perfect Columbia dorm: semi-social (it usually ranks second to Carman), semi-studious. Very pretty from the outside, not so special inside (which is true of most Columbia buildings, unfortunately - except for the libraries!). Almost everyone gets a single except for 6 people on each floor (if you want a double, I recommend Carmann doubles over these). No air conditioning, which is annoying for about the first three weeks or so but not a very big deal. Community bathrooms - one for each sex on each floor (about 50 people on the floor, so 25ish to each bathroom)… most people freak out about this, but its not a hassle or anything. They’re <em>relatively</em> clean… The dining hall is on the first floor and JJ’s place (late night cafe) is in the basement, which can be a good thing (think snowstorm) or a bad thing (think freshman 15). Pretty lounge… which is relatively unused. No kitchen (except for a microwave on each floor). Also, if you’re unlucky like me you’ll get a room that faces Amsterdam Ave - and also St. Luke’s hospital, which is a favorite destination for incredibly loud ambulances at all hours. </p>
<p>Hartley/Wallach (LLC): Similiar to John Jay. Hartley supposedly has AC (I’ve heard doubts about its efficacy though), Wallach does not. You have to do an application to get in, but once you’re in you don’t really HAVE to participate in LLC events (like dinners with deans and interesting people, etc.), but you do if you want to live there for your sophomore year (which a lot of people try to do since sophomore housing is particularly crappy). I’d say people in Hartley/Wallach are a little more… tame? than people in John Jay, and definitely more so than people in Carman. The rooms are all suite-style (6ish singles, 2ish doubles that share a common room and kitchen). Hartley’s common room has a pool table and ping pong tables. Freshman and upper-classmen live together, but its easy to meet people becuase the upperclassmen had to apply to live there and are therefore interested in meeting new kids.</p>
<p>Furnald: Mystery to most students. Probably the nicest living situation (air conditioned, recently renovated singles), but also the least social. Both sophomores and freshman live here, and the sophomores will probably already have their own social groups and therefore aren’t too interested in doing the whole freshman “lets be friends!” thing. Community bathrooms… I’ve never been in them. If you’re an incredibly social person and can meet people no problem and really want a nice room, Furnald might work for you. I don’t have much to say about it b/c I (along with most other people) don’t know much about it. </p>
<p>Conclusion: When people tour Columbia they’re always realllly excited b/c at Columbia first-years can live in a single. Yes, its nice to have your own space… but I think its important to have the whole roommate experience. I went to boarding school before Columbia and had a roommate for two years and loved it. Now, I live in John Jay and constantly wish that I had chosen Carman, both for the roommate experience and the more social environment. Carman people tend to socialize (party or just hang out… you don’t have to party to live in Carman… or anywhere, for that matter) in Carman, whereas John Jay kids are more likely to venture out to socialize. There really isn’t a bad choice that you guys can make (until you’re picking sophomore housing, that is), so do whatever you think is best. For what its worth, though, I would recommend Carman. Or is it Carmen? I don’t know. One of those…</p>
<p>fitch is generally right, but it really does depend on the floor. Anyway, Bwog is apparently reviewing all the different frosh dorms so maybe it can help you choose:[freshpeople</a> housing review – Bwog](<a href=“http://bwog.com/tag/freshpeople-housing-review/]freshpeople”>freshpeople housing review Archives – Bwog)</p>