<p>Class of 2015 D making final selections. She is studious and values her sleep. But, she wants to get to know folks and doesn't want to miss out on the critical early-stage socialization and friendships.</p>
<p>Suggested rankings of the houses?</p>
<p>How does this sound:</p>
<p>Riepe
Fisher
Kings
Other Quad
Hill
High Rises (Fresh Ex)?</p>
<p>Seems like a good ranking…most freshman live in the quad and I’ve heard it’s a great area to meet peers and socialize. Kings Court also has fairly spacious dorms with sinks so it’s a good choice as well.</p>
<p>This isn’t a ranking, but more of a general summary:</p>
<p>-If Harrison FreshEx isn’t her top choice, she won’t get it. So if she’s feeling the Quad, then you should rule that out.
-The other high rises aren’t great for freshmen, because the freshmen are spread throughout the building and there’s less of a community feel.
-Hill is great for socializing, but the rooms are tiny, almost prison-like, and lack air conditioning. People socialize and become friends because they’d rather be anywhere but their own room.
-Kings Court has a good dining hall, but a lot of KC/EC is residential program oriented (Huntsman, Science & Tech, etc). And a few quad rejects end up here, so it’s a strange mix but there are people to meet.</p>
<p>In terms of the Quad itself, I can’t really say much. I would assume the dynamics change every year - sometimes a certain house is known for being loud and fun, but specific halls are unusually quiet, etc. This year, Riepe was ranked as one of the biggest party dorms in the nation, and many Riepe people didn’t understand why because they thought the other sections of the Quad were crazier.</p>
<p>So the Quad should definitely be at the top of her list, because it has the most freshmen by volume - I can’t say which house. And if she really values her sleep, I’d recommend a single, because it might be hard to fall asleep if your roommate likes doing homework with the lights on at 3 in the morning.</p>
<p>Expressway - When I looked back at your other posts, it seemed you had a S who was going to Penn…did I read it wrong?</p>
<p>Anyways, I have a S going to Penn this fall and we went to the college preview. He got to look at many of the dorms and for him, Hill was the one. He wasn’t interested in the Quad or a single room or a sink in the room or a high rise, etc. So go with whatever your child thinks works for them. There’s always next year.</p>
<p>Remember we all survived growing up without bottled water, private rooms, seatbelts, airbags, computers/internet, cell phones.</p>
<p>I’m glad that my mom doesn’t get involved with decisions about where I should live. Where is the best place to live for people who are ready to be adults?</p>
<p>Philly - I’m guessing your house. LOL</p>
<p>really some mommies should step back and let their kids take responsibility for themselves. and then those mommies shouldn’t pick fights with the people who will be their kids roommates.</p>
<p>Wow judgmental aren’t we. At least I was being sarcastic.</p>
<p>Just by posting that, it shows you know nothing about a parent feels about their child going off to college. And just because a parents chooses to post here, doesn’t mean they are making the decisions. It means this is a way for us to connect with those who could be helpful to our students future and to gather info. Don’t throw stones at us and we won’t throw stones at how you were parented.</p>
<p>admitting that you were throwing sarcasm my way, is an admission that you were the one, in fact, throwing the stones. I do hope my roommates don’t bring their mothers back home with them at night to stay with them too (or, for that matter, their fathers.)</p>
<p>Awesome…wouldn’t want anyone to room with a ■■■■■ anyways. Have a great time wherever you go.</p>
<p>well, in any case, I won’t be choosing Hill. So, sleep over all you like. no reason to make your son start living for himself even in college.</p>
<p>I don’t know of many people who did choose Hill, most people are just placed there. They do have a very strong community, but the rooms are tiny and there is no air conditioning. It can get very stuffy in these dorms. Before they turned the AC on in the quad it was almost unbearable even when it wasn’t very hot outside and it cooled off during the nights. I also hear it is not easy to study in your room, which personally is something I like to do especially at night. Now the rooms in the quad are pretty small but they are still bigger than the ones in Hill. When my mother saw the doubles in the quad, she was very surprised to see how small they were, smaller than the rooms when she went to college. The community in the Quad depends on your hall, some are very friendly, others are not at all.
I hear Stouffer is pretty nice, it is right next to the Quad and has nice facilities. Gregory is also supposed to be nice but is known for being not as social and farther away.
I know people think of their dorm being the main component of the social experience freshman year, but in reality I have friends from all over. I’m close with a few hall mates but I also have groups friends in other parts of the quad that I met in classes or during NSO and friends in other dorms such as Stouffer, Hill, and Kings Court.</p>
<p>Thanks Poeme for the helpful info. I was surprised at S’s choice. I wasn’t able to go to Hill but he was and I think he really liked the building…cafeteria…common areas…etc. As you said, life isn’t all about the dorms. So glad you’re enjoying Penn.</p>