<p>I just got my housing placement notification and I've been placed in McCarty in one of the ground floor rooms (a double). I looked up the floor plan and this looks like a pretty odd floor, as far as I can tell there are only 4 double rooms and a single on this floor, and then a bunch of large rooms that aren't identified on the diagram.</p>
<p>I'm kind of bummed out to be honest, I'm an exchange student coming over from Australia and obviously I'm concerned with meeting and making friends with as many people as possible. I'm sure there will still be cool people in the other rooms on my floor and all, but I can't help feeling like I'm gonna be a bit segregated down there. It's pretty annoying because McCarty was my second preference and I'd have been stoked to be on any other floor.</p>
<p>Anyway, if anyone knows anything about what it's like on that floor let me know, perhaps I am worrying about nothing.</p>
<p>Honestly, I’d just be happy to get a room on campus. They’re in high demand. I don’t know about the dynamics of that floor, but in this case, it’s best to take anything that’s open. Yet, nothing is open anymore. So you’re lucky just to have a space.</p>
<p>Anyway, I know you are still concerned about the dynamic, but I don’t think it should be a huge problem. Even if your floor isn’t sociable, there are plenty of other ways to be outgoing. I suggest joining some clubs: that will give you a great opportunity to meet people and make friends. And that’s the worst case scenario; your floor could still be sociable. Rather than the location, it’s the other people on the floor that create the floor dynamic. So as long as other sociable people are put down there, you’ll be able to meet each other. And if they happen to not be sociable, you can still meet people by joining clubs and doing other activities.</p>
<p>You make some good points, and certainly I’m glad to have gotten a room. I realise reading these forums that there are a lot of people won’t even get one, however as exchange students we were guaranteed rooms from the start, so I guess I didn’t really think about it like that.</p>
<p>Definitely I will be joining clubs etc, and I guess now that I’ve cooled off I’m less worried about it. I suppose I’m just a little anxious about the whole experience, I don’t really know what it’s going to be like, I guess for anyone going on exchange the biggest fear is not making friends and being lonely.</p>
<p>I’d still be interested to hear from anyone that’s been down there though, it seems like an odd layout, several large rooms that aren’t labeled… are they common rooms? Storage rooms? And having an RA for like… 9 people, what’s with that? Can we lock that guy in his room? ;)</p>
<p>I think that some of the large rooms you are seeing on the floor plan are Ian’s Domain (a convenience store) and that sort of stuff, also probably the laundry rooms.</p>
<p>Honestly, the dorms isn’t the only place you’ll make friends. You could be placed on the 3rd floor and not click with anyone there. If you join a few student organizations, get involved, get to know some classmates in classes that are less ‘gen ed’-y and more ‘specialized’ towards your major of study, you’ll find some amazing people with similar interests. :)</p>
<p>Yep, you are all correct. And it’s not like I’ve ever had trouble making friends before, or am an especially shy person. Just a person that lets their imagination come up with the worst possible scenario and then worries about it!</p>
<p>Still want to know what those rooms are, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough. I don’t think it’s Ian’s Domain as I thought that was in the central bulding rather than either of the towers (could be totally wrong about that).</p>
<p>Speedsolver, when you say welcome from Australia, are you also Australian?</p>
<p>Hi! I am an RA in McCarty this year (in 2nd North tower, though) and I personally know the RA you will have this year and he is a really awesome guy. I don’t think you’ll be needing to lock him in. He’s a pretty chill guy with a good sense of humor. RAs really aren’t the police - we’re just students with a bit more of responsibility for the resident’s sake.</p>
<p>I can understand your concerns regarding the ground floor (aka the Dungeon), however, the floor had its own dynamic last year as I recall. It is a male floor so a majority of the guys would be playing video games or hanging out (especially in the large 4-person rooms). I think the only annoying thing about the ground floor is the pipes and how they sound. You’ll get used to it, though. </p>
<p>Empty rooms that are not marked, the farthest down nearby the elevator on the far left is the lounge. The other rooms are for custodial use I believe…I actually don’t remember.</p>
<p>I just want to remind though that even though the ground floor may have been this way during 2010-2011 school year, it may be better or worse this coming year. </p>
<p>McCarty has Ian’s Domain which is a fun area to hang out and make loads of friends. It’s also a good place to have a study group, especially when it is too cold outside. I’ve made a lot of friends at Ian’s Domain. There are also large study rooms where a lot of events planned by the McCarty RAs, Hall Council, and other student clubs occur. UW is a large campus with loads of things to do. I am entering my third year in college, but I still find new things to explore and do here. As an exchange student, I’d recommend joining FIUTS.</p>
<p>College (as well as being an exchange student) is all on you and your decisions. Explore and try as many things you want! :)</p>
<p>I look forward to maybe seeing you this coming school year and please give the ground floor a chance! :)</p>
<p>maggie,
I have been assigned a triple on floor 4, my friend and I and another person (I just got in touch with on skype). I have a desktop and frig (3.1 cu ft), will it be really tight? We all plan on sharing my frig. My #1 roommate wants to bring a microwave.
I don’t have alot of clothes or other stuff.</p>
<p>Hi Chris
One of the nice things about McCarty is how spacious and customizable the rooms are. If I ever had to be in a triple, I’d want to be in McCarty. The fridge and microwave definitely should fit in there (either put it underneath a lofted bed or in the corner). The desktop should fit as well.</p>
<p>Now if you brought in a humongous flat screen TV, I’d be a bit worried - but I have seen it done before successfully in McCarty. ;)</p>
I am an RA in McCarty this year (in 2nd North tower, though) and I personally know the RA you will have this year and he is a really awesome guy. I don’t think you’ll be needing to lock him in. 
He’s a pretty chill guy with a good sense of humor. RAs really aren’t the police - we’re just students with a bit more of responsibility for the resident’s sake.</p>