Just curious about what one can expect from being in the Metcalf/Engineering Village as a first year student? The good and the bad (though I suppose both are subjective to the individual)? Any tips for/about the program? Making things fit in a shoebox sized dorm? Items we might not think to bring? Found surprisingly little info on the internet…is there room in the dorm for a stash of food? How small is the fridge and microwave? Seamed a bit of a hike to nearest dining hall…DS is a bit cheap. I don’t see him eating at Talley that often and if dining isn’t on the way to class he may only eat once a day, outside of his dorm 
Oldest son lived there two years. The village has grown considerably since then (it was only the top three floors his freshman year). He had fun with scheduled programs and activities - they even went on a ski trip one weekend.
Yes, the rooms are tight. But he had space for an extra chair and one of those 3 drawer drawer units from Walmart that was about 30 inches wide. Kept some food on the shelf in the closet. Don’t bring a canoe.
Walking distances are not as big a concern as you may think. A student a state will walk - a lot. The distance from Metcalf to fountain will become trivial. Also Case dining hall worked out well for my son, as it was closer to where his classes were at lunch. Not sure what you mean by cheap - all the dining plans are unlimited access, although there is a plan that is Monday thru Friday only.
Did you find this link? There is a good panorama of a room.
https://housing.dasa.ncsu.edu/residence-hall/metcalf-hall/
@DecideSomeHow Thanks! Does any of the provided furniture have a locked cabinet or drawer? At home DS lives at his desk in his computer chair…do you think the provided desks would accommodate a bigger/nicer desk chair?
Awe man, he was all set to bring his kayak 
considering getting a bike for campus, but I think he’ll wait a few weeks and see how he does without. We did see bike racks, right outside of metcalf.
What are the floors like? Is there a TV lounge or study area on each floor or only first floor? Washers and dryers on each floor…probably overkill, but just one floor for 400 kids, doesn’t seem great. I read an old thread where a few loads of laundry were included each month. Is it still that way or do you pay for each load?
Are there water fountains on each dorm floor? DS drinks a LOT of water. Looks like three main dining options. Looking to go with the middle one, to start. By cheap I meant if it’s not included with his meal plan he’s likely to do without most times. I don’t see him eating Zaxby’s, etc… more than once or twice a week and twice is probably pushing it. We’ll provide him with extra $$, but he’s as frugal with our $$ as he is with his own. I’d say he’s to lazy to go “out of his way” to the dining hall more than once a day…but it’s not laziness. He just gets caught up in other things and doesn’t take a time out for food. We’re working on a list of foods that are somewhat nutritious and can be stored in the dorm. Luckily for the both of us, I’m only a couple hours from NCSU and can bring supplies for DS and suitmates/dorm mates…whenever, if/as needed.
Doesn’t look as though there are hooks or a bench or anything in the shared bathroom…does everyone just toss stuff on the floor?
Sorry! This will be a very new experience for all of us. I do best when I “feel” prepared.
That dorm view almost makes it look roomy! I love that layout for the bed, dressers, desk, etc…drapes! Are we allowed to put up drapes if they have a window? I hope they have a window. Area rug is a great idea to cut down a little on noise and just to cozy it up! I hope DS and roommate will like the same colors.
Hopefully this addresses what I know with regard to your questions -
I recall a place to put a padlock on one of the cabinets.
Some kids had their own desk chair. Mine did not. If you are going to buy one, I would suggest getting one after move in to be sure it fits.
Sadly, all the common areas are on the first floor. That’s one real complaint I have about the building.
Laundry too is on the first floor. On campus laundry is essentially free, I don’t recall how many loads, but I did have a conversation with the housing folks one time during an open house about it. Their response was quite practical - they wanted to make sure the residents don’t choose between hygiene and pizza, so the number of loads was at least enough for a couple loads of clothing plus a load of sheets/towel every week.
Water fountains I honestly don’t recall.
For dining, my oldest (and a graduate!) and his brother (still a student) hardly left campus. An occasional walk to Hillsborough street for cheap college fare was all that ever happened. The selections at Talley and the small food court next to DH Hill library (chick fil a) were sufficient for whenever they did not want dining hall. They also never spent additional money - the credits kept them fed well enough.
Hooks/bench - have no idea. Both sons used a bucket/basket caddy for shower - but how they used it is beyond my knowledge - maybe I don’t want to know.
The school is good at making the rooms look good. Wide angle lenses help a lot.
For hanging stuff, there is a list of rules somewhere on the housing web site, I can’t seem to find it at the moment. Poking around the housing site or google-ing should turn it up.
All rooms have windows.
Rug definitely recommended. Suggest putting it under the desk to keep feet off cold floor when studying.
FWIW - my S3 will be in Metcalf as a freshman this fall.
@DecideSomeHow thank-you! All extras on first floor for such a large dorm is a bit of a bummer…to me. DS figures most dorms will be awful compared to his room at home (stupid sized speakers, decent desktop, privacy, etc.). I’m the one that’s focused on figuring out how to maximize dorm space and trying to give it a cozy feel. He’s an only child, used to his own space. Sharing a room will be an adjustment…anything I can try to do to make it feel more like a small sanctuary, makes me feel better.
Every room has a window? That’s fantastic! Free laundry is always good…400 kids and one laundry room yikes! Cabinet with a pad lock is perfect.
Having a 3rd on their way to State & Metcalf…that says a lot 
I knew there was a better set of photos our there for Metcalf, and was finally able to find them. These were actually linked from the housing website when S1 was looking at schools many moons ago. At least they are still on the web.
https://www.■■■■■■■■■■/photos/68521646@N07/sets/72157633604222850/
A couple notes on the photos -
These are of the “E” room in the suite (sticker on the door), so the arrangement of the door/closets/HVAC is a little different from the A B C D rooms.
You can see the locking cabinet in several of the photos. It’s the smaller cabinet with the pull out work surface. The black latch on the door accepts a pad lock. (This is all assuming the furniture has not changed)
No doors on the closets. No idea why. Even when S2 was in Owen, there were no doors. We just used a tension rod and curtain.
Laundry has never been an issue for either of my guys. They recognized early on that everyone is on a different schedule so it just works out. There is even an app for laundry that tells you if machines are available and when your load stops.
@DecideSomeHow thanks! that little bit of extra space for E seems to make a difference in furniture placement. Watching to see when we find out room number and roommate.
An app for laundry availability should help. My kid will probably go fewer clothes and leave more room for snacks, beverages and computer stuff. He’s hoping to bring his desktop, but will wait to see the room and get a feel for his roommate.
@DecideSomeHow And we now have a room assignment! He’ll have to figure out how to find out who his roommate is.
FYI: there is also a train that goes right by the dorm. You will get used it quickly and won’t even notice it by the end of the first semester. The first time it went by was quite a surprise though.
The microwave oven is bolted onto the mini-fridge in all the dorms. So forget about the cool mini-fridge organizers that go on top to hold plates, etc, they won’t fit.
If his room has a desk chair supplied, you will not be allowed to remove it. Sorry.
Tips: We found that the organizer hooks that slip over-the-door were very handy to hang towels, bags, etc to keep them off the floor. Also, If you can possibly find them in a color he likes & not too girly, those hanging jewelry organizers with all the pockets are fantastic to organize lots of easy-to-lose little things like school supplies, post-it notes, usb, cords, chargers, etc. The hanging clothes organizers are helpful too, but the closet dimensions will dictate what fits. Purchase skinny hangers to hold more, the fat ones take up too much space. Purchase a quality/power-surge protected power strip to be able to plug in lots of stuff.
A small Target recently opened up right across from D H Hill library on Hillsborough Street. He will be able to make quick stops to replenish his food stash as needed.
@Trusting great tips!
we have a train that runs behind our house…not daily, more as to just keep the track line open a few times a week. But, shouldn’t bother the son
Bolted together! Ok, then…how about a cart that the fridge can sit on & put things underneath?
Is there a general length tension rod to get for the closets to be able to hang up a curtain? How about cutains for the windows, do you know what can be used?
Thinking paper plates and plastic ware. Wasteful. But if the inly kitchen is bottom floor abound son is on the 9th with only bathroom sink to wash and no counter to dry…probably the best sanitary option.
How do we decorate the walls, command strips? Thinking those could be used for white boards on doors, also…
Should he have a suit at school, khakis, dress pants, suit coat, ties…etc, for any functions? He’s really a tshirt and jeans kid.
How about stuff for cleaning the room? Duster, hand vacuum, etc…is there a garbage shoot or do they take garbage outside to a dumpster?
@ParentOf2022 as a freshman, doubt he needs a suit unless he is part of a scholarship program or maybe for interviews. My oldest only took one when he was doing job interviews (both for internships and after graduation). My second son was a scholarship recipient, so he had several functions where he was asked to wear one.
@jllmtw thanks, that’s what we figured. We are only a couple hours from NCSU, so as long as he knows a bit in advance, I can always bring up clothes to save the space in his closet.
@ParentOf2022 I will try to remember more stuff we did over the years. Most of it is just for comfort and can be skipped, but I know you were asking to make it more comfortable for his transition.
Command strips & hooks are the bomb! We used lots, just be careful upon removing because they can still pull off the layers of paint underneath if you go too quick. You can put posters, etc on the walls, just don’t block any sprinklers, etc. Nothing can go on the ceilings. The fire marshals are pretty strict and do periodic inspections.
A general length adjustable tension rod & lightweight curtain should be fine for the closet. The windows have blinds so you really don’t need curtains, but if you prefer, small tension rods should work there as well.
I would wait on some things until you can actually see the room. There is a larger Super Target off Walnut Street in the Crossroads Shopping Center (you would need to drive about 15 min). They cater to the college crowd and always have tons (think boxes in the aisles) of campus gear available at the beginning of school. I think NCSU even puts on a fun “Midnight Target Run” where they take students in buses to have a private after-hours shopping trip. FYI: There is also a large Bed, Bath & Beyond, a Home Depot, Lowes, Best Buy and a Five & Below in that same shopping center.
As far as putting the fridge on a cart…eh, its sorta heavy, but who knows? Maybe? I saw one room where they had it on top of a dresser.
Another thing we did was to get an twin XL mattress topper for the dorm mattress. Found an awesome one at Tuesday Morning just by chance, but I know most stores carry the foam versions for pretty cheap. The dorm’s vinyl mattress can feel hot if you don’t have some breathable layers on top.
Air fresheners will be important. Those rooms get stuffy & smelly quick. Maybe a small fan.
Those small square milk crates and storage containers with lids are great for stacking things in the closet.
The pillow backrests are great to have to study on the bed. A small lamp to make it more home-like was nice (bring replacement lightbulb).
I don’t know if he will have a desk under a lofted bed or not, but if so: there is a metal safety bar that is at the exact height to hit your head as you stand up from the desk. Many students strap a pool noodle to the bar for protection. I saw some pool noodles at the Dollar Tree this week. If his bed is not lofted, then he won’t need it.
If you get a rug, make sure it has the rubber grippers underneath. Otherwise,“whoosh!”.
A nice foot locker & lock might be good for his stuff just in case he ends up not trusting his roommate.
For cleaning: a big container of the disinfecting wipes would be smart. Small broom & dust pan would be fine. Paper towels are handy.
Honestly, most students don’t wash their dishes They think they will, but life happens. Disposable is probably smart. If he thinks he will clean them, just get a few plastic items & keep them in a storage bin that can also serve as his dishpan to wash them along with a tiny bottle of dish soap. I don’t think he’d really want to wash them in the communal bathroom sink.
As far as bathroom stuff, the more things you can hang-up to dry the better.
On move-in day, bring all of his stuff in lidded & latchable (tough not hard plastic) storage bins, so you can stuff it all back in there at the end of the year & store it at your house until the next term. The university usually has move-in day helpers ( I know CRU volunteers) to assist carrying things in.
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have further questions.
I agree with what the previous poster said about the suit. Also, if he is planning on rushing a Frat, then he will need khakis, dress pants, ties, etc.
@Trusting thank-you! Yup, I’m the crazy mom trying to figure out how to cozy up the dorm…son is unconcerned. His biggest concern is who his roommate will be and will his desktop be safe or does it need to stay home. As my only child, this is probably going to be harder on me than him and being able to “cozy” up his room, makes me feel better
I can’t imagine that he’ll rush a fraternity…but, who can say. College is for branching outside of your comfort zone. He might surprise us.