How hard is it to get a single as a freshman at Hopkins? Also, what is the housing like overall? Any recommendations / tips?
As of now, there are 3 options for freshman housing
AMR 1 and 2 - traditional dorm style living. Communal bathroom, long hallways, These are typically the most social of the freshman dorms due to the residents’ close proximity. They are also situated right on campus (in what’s called the Freshman quad) and right next to the FFC (freshman cafeteria) and rec center.
Buildings - traditional dorm style with a “suite” twist. Each suite is composed of two rooms and a bathroom. The rest of the dorm is basically long hallways. These are generally the quietest dorms because of the way they’re constructed. They are also right on the Freshman quad.
Wolman McCoy - suit style living. Each suite is composed of two / three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a small kitchenette. Each floor has a common room with a TV, lounge furniture, and a common (single) bathroom. These dorms have the potential to be social (especially if the floor bonds well) and the common room provides a good space to hang out / study in.
There aren’t that many singles relative to doubles in Freshman housing. They’re possible to get, but not easy if you don’t have some kind of documented reason.
Main advice with housing is to just go in with an open mind - there are a lot of options and a lot of things that could go right or wrong. You have to be able to make the most out of whatever shakes out.
@saif235 McCoy sounds awesome! Is it hard to get into??
The size of the freshman class will also affect things. Last year’s class was so big that there were forced triples.
@anxiouswreck
There are actually 2 buildings that do this - Wolman and McCoy. McCoy is about 30% freshmen 70% sophomores and Wolman is freshmen only. Wolman/McCoy house a little over 1/3 of the freshmen class - but keep in mind that not everyone wants to be there. If you put them as your first choice I’d say you have a 50% chance of getting one of them.
I posted this as a reply to another thread, but I’ll post it here too:
I’m a current freshman. Last year, my first choice was AMR II with one roommate, which I got. I’ve been pretty happy with it. Both AMR I and AMR II are set up in the typical “college dorm” style- each room has a bed/desk/closet, and there are communal bathrooms down the hall. Both split residents into different “Houses” based on what part of the building you live in, with each House getting a Residential Advisor. Both have communal study areas and communal kitchens. Both are on campus, with benches and the Freshman Quad right outside, and are right next to the FFC, the main dining hall. Both got air conditioning for the first time this year, but only for the fall semester (which is annoying). There are little things that make them different. In general, AMR II has more amenities (mail room, trunk storage room, larger social room with pool and foosball, all new furniture this year). AMR I is an older building, but it’s essentially the same deal. A difference in AMR I that I like is that each House has a little lounge in the house area itself, and the hallways are shorter, so you see the same people more often and may get to know them better. But there are some Houses in AMR II that bond a lot, and some in AMR I that don’t. It really depends on the people who end up living there. Both are pretty social, and the location is great. You’re never more than a ten minute walk from class.
I wouldn’t choose to live in AMR III (A and B), Wolman, or McCoy. All are good options. But all are suite style, and I really wanted that typical college experience at least once. AMR III A and B are both right next to the Freshman Quad and on top of the Dining Hall. I haven’t been in a room since I know very few people who live there. Wolman and McCoy are across the street, but that’s right nearby. The living space is a little larger, and the people I know who live there are generally happy with both.
Hello, looking for confirmation that both AMR I and AMR II have communal kitchens. Trying to rank the buildings in the housing application. We will be opting for unlimited meal plan, but having access to a kitchen would be a plus.
Yes they both have a common kitchen.