<p>No one really knows how this 2-year/4-year system is going to work out. It's either going to be a huge bust or a great benefit to the campus environment. I personally don't think it fits into the overall dynamic at Princeton, but I'm willing to give it a chance since the administration is so gung ho about it.</p>
<p>In terms of your living arrangements for next year, I wouldn't rest on old stereotypes for this coming year. We could get away with that in the past, but colleges and dorms are being changed a lot next year. Honestly, Rocky and Mathey are going to lose a lot of ground next year with the opening of Whitman next fall and the tearing down of the old Butler over the summer. Rocky and Mathey look nice (and granted, some of the rooms are nice as well, particularly in Rocky), but down-campus dorms generally have a better location (and fairly large rooms). The renovations have definitely helped make living in Rocky and Mathey a lot nicer than it used to be, although some Mathey dorms have yet to be renovated. Still, I think Whitman will end up winning out among the Big Three of the Collegiate Gothic dorms. Whitman's floor plans are already up, and it looks like there are some great suites and large singles and doubles found throughout the college.</p>
<p>No hating on any of the other colleges, though. Butler's going to be FANTASTIC next year (I'm in the RCA applicant pool for Butler next year, so I may be a little biased). No more waffle ceilings, brick walls, etc. It's taking over all of Bloomberg Hall, which is traditionally a mostly-upperclassman dorm and the newest on campus (besides Whitman). Bloomberg has great rooms, large study lounges, kitchenettes, numerous laundry facilities, and borders Poe Field (my favorite place on campus). Additiionally, Butler has 1915 Hall, which has incredible singles for ladies and large triples for the guys, and temporarily acquired Cuyler Hall, which is normally an upperclass dorm with an AMAZING location (short distances to the campus center, the U-Store, most classrooms, and right next to the gym).</p>
<p>Wilson's going to be the new Butler next year (in that it'll be...well...the crappiest). The rooms are generally large, though, and the large-suite environment can be a huge plus for your first year on campus. Plus, Wilson gets all of Walker Hall starting next year, so you'll be able to live in Collegiate Gothic glory as well ;)</p>
<p>Forbes is actually a really, really nice place to live (at least in the Main Inn, although the Addition/Annex has its benefits as well) despite the fact that it's so far from everything. The food is by far the best on campus, I don't care what anyone else says. I stopped eating at my dining hall (Wilcox) a long time ago in favor of Forbes or the food at the Frist Campus Center. The staff's incredibly nice at Forbes, too.</p>