<p>I see a lot of comments about a schism between "Sconnies" and "OSS's." Is there a social wall between the two groups? I hope not, but that sort of thing happens at a lot of universities. I would prefer that his character and personality dictate his circle of friends. </p>
<p>How about the university? Does UW segregate its students for housing? Segregation is an emotionally charged word. I don't mean ethnic or racial segregation, but rather State-subsidized vs. non State-subsidized segregation. Will his residency affect his choice of dormitory? We didn't think to ask this question during our tour, but, I have to admit, that it concerns me.</p>
<p>Dorms are mixed but instate gets first priority to get into the dorm system. All dorms assignments are random based on student pref. Most OOS students that want to get into the public dorms but a fair number choose the private dorms as you are more certain to get exactly what you wanted. These tend to be richer OOS kids. </p>
<p>The sconnie thing is slightly real for some rural WI kids maybe but most think it’s pretty much a good joke. Most of the Coastie talk is about some girls and maybe fewer guys who tend to dress a certain way and maybe flaunt their $$$ a bit–at least to the native mind. Outfits that would not get a second look at USC or UCLA might be considered Coastie and by that somehow too fashion/looks conscious. Last I heard that means an expensive sweater over black legging type pants with boots and a North Face jacket plus large sunglasses, cell phone glued to ear. Not sure about the male version but i’d guess Polo shirt with a popped collar and another Polo oxford shirt over it, North Face jacket.
I’d estimate 95% don’t care at all.</p>
<p>Thank you Barrons. If you were an OOS that was interested in getting a quality Liberal Arts education, (but also wants to have a healthy social life) which dorms would you lean towards?</p>
<p>The Learning Community dorms (Chad, etc) or Liz Waters. I’d try to avoid Witte and Sellery. The LC dorms have a small surcharge but you get lots of little extras–classes in the dorms, speakers, faculty visits, field trips both academic and social and I think amore academic focus by the kids. There is so much social activity around campus it really matters little where you live. All you need are a few friends to do things with from going to games and concerts to cruising State Street or house parties.</p>
<p>I def do think it matters where you live. I lived in Witte and barely interacted with kids from lakeshore, and I had a healthy social life to say they least 
It is not a knock on lakeshore they just seemed to do their own thing. Maybe it was the far walk to the downtown area.</p>
<p>Also I am OOS. My floor seemed to be almost evenly split between MINN/CHI/WI and everyone got along great. We had a kid from Boston and one from NY. No problems again. Witte/Sellery are incredibly crappy, but after going through my freshman year, I would not trade my experience in Witte for anything. (Yes that includes any of the new dorms, Lucky, etc…)</p>
<p>Maybe the crappyness bonds everyone together, but everyone keeps their doors open and hangs out with each other. When friends visited me they were amazed by how fun my floor is. Studying is not a big deal. There are quite/group study areas in the basement that are amazing. Really no need to go the library.</p>
<p>Put down Ogg, Smith 1/2. You prob won’t get them, which will be a blessing is disguise cause that will put you in either Witte or Sellery and you’ll have an expirence you will never forget</p>
<p>From what I remember reading previous months ago:
There is a division ( but small enough to not get caught within) of students from west coast ( mainly California) and those from the northeast. I’ve also remember reading from previous threads that there is usually a hall many out of staters ( mainly from the coast) get placed in, perhaps this could be the reason for the division I’ve read about.
Though the school is very large, and I doubt you would have anything to worry about. I guess it may vary which dorm your place in, if your placed in the hall with many out of staters ( which I’ve read from a thread) your still not limited to meeting other students around campus.</p>
<p>The only advantage instate students have in housing is a guarantee of getting it if they apply by a spring date, otherwise once your contract is accepted there is no difference. There is a housing lottery done by computer in May to assign rooms, it makes no difference when you signed a housing contract or where you are from as to your chances of getting your first choice. Some OOS students choose certain private dorms and self segregate in that way. Lakeshore and Southeast dorms each have their pros and cons- city people may prefer the city atmosphere and closeness to State St over the more suburban feel of the dorms along the lakeshore. At least 1/2 of every elegible dorm (there is one no freshmen allowed dorm) is available for freshmen, the most popular dorms will get their quota of returning students whereas others may have a greater percentage of freshmen. Choose your dorm based on the location and building style you most like, you will find people you like in any one. All students will do a lot of walking in going to classes, do not let nearness to any class building be your only criterion. Instead think about where you want to destress when not in class. The food service is the same and anyone can eat anywhere so that isn’t a concern (with the exception of kosher offerd at Chad). The other self selection will be due to the increased costs of special programs and some of the newest dorms. Do not worry about dorm life when deciding if UW is the place for your son.</p>
<p>Remember that the vast majority of students at UW are not posting on this site, any issues can be blown out of proportion and controversy gets more comment.</p>
<p>Given that both student papers and the major state papers have run stories on the Coastie-Sconnie thing it is disingenuous to imply there is nothing to it. I think there is something to it for small groups of students on both sides. But that existed in some form 35 years ago too and even before that during the great Experimental College days.</p>
<p>Correction- I checked the UW website regarding the freshly prepared kosher food service recently begun and found out they had to close it due to lack of being able to get the required specialists (they also had funding issues and aren’t willing to transfer costs to all of the students). They went to the trouble of creating a kosher kitchen but staffing wasn’t available to continue it despite their efforts at recruitment. Apparently they do stock already packaged kosher foods students can buy.</p>
<p>During our SOAR tour, one of the tour guides told the parents that 80% of freshmen who live in university housing dorms decide not to come back for the next year. Is this really true?</p>
<p>Probably accurate as most students choose to live in off campus apartments after freshman year. Some parents won’t cosign (required by area landlords) for an apartment so there are still sophomores in the dorms (you also need to be 18 to sign a lease in the campus area). As a parent I would not worry about this. There are plenty of apts very close to campus. There is an off campus housing subsite you can access from the housing or “more” list on the UW website. This site has a lot of information, including many apts available and when good times to start looking are- parents can peruse this site and be informed when their freshman announces they want to get an apt for the next year.</p>