<p>I was wondering if someone could give me (and other incoming students) some advice about our housing options. I'm thinking about the quad, since that is the most popular choice for freshmen and has nice rooms with A/C. On the other hand, I'm also really attracted to hill because it's known to have a great and tight community. I love the idea of the lounges on each floor and people hanging out the all the time (and they also have their own dining hall). I'll probably apply for a single, no matter where I end up applying. </p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>From a location and social perspective Hill is a great house. It is divided into “halls” of 15 or so students, and because of the way it’s split, the students in each of these sections get to know one another well, creating a community.</p>
<p>I was thinking the same, and that’s why I’m stuck between the quad and hill. I didn’t know hill had a convenient location though, I thought the quad was closer to everything than hill. Are there maybe any hill or quad residents on here who could give me some more advice?</p>
<p>Also, what do you guys think about choosing a single or double? I like the privacy of a single and will be doing a varsity sport so I will have to rise early sometimes. But on the other hand I’m a bit worried I will miss out on things when I don’t have a roommate. Is it more difficult to make friends if you’re in a single?</p>
<p>Please guys, help a brother out here</p>
<p>Quad and Hill are both great freshman houses. As you said Quad has AC and a more social atmosphere. Its also run by faculty as opposed to Hill which is mostly student run. Hill has no AC, can be very hot for a few weeks until the weather starts to get better. Hill is next to the engineering quad, so if that’s where most of your classes will be, its a great location. I was a bit worried about the noise or ugliness of the construction taking place on the field next to Hill, but I got a mixed response from students. Some say it doesn’t bother them at all, while others say it’s noisy. So I guess that depends on your personal habits.</p>
<p>Single or double is again a matter of personal preference I think. The dorms have common areas and lounges where most students hang out since the rooms are too small to socialize anyway. The only thing I feel is that having a roommate gives you at least one sure shot go to person if you need a buddy for something. Anyway you get to list 6 preferences on the housing application.</p>
<p>In the quad there were a lot of people with singles. DS and the guy across the hall, also in a single, filled the role of each others “roommate” when it came to those first days and planning who to walk to dinner or floor activities etc. with. After the first few weeks, you will have met plenty of people and won’t feel as much of a need to rely on a roommate. I once asked DS if he thought it was good or not that he had a single and his response was that the first few weeks he was a little jealous of those with roommates, but after that he was happy, and they were all jealous of him. I suppose there are pros and cons of either, so go with your gut. </p>
<p>Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll go for a single. It might be a bit more difficult to meet new people in the first few weeks, and you don’t have an instant buddy to go to NSO events or dinner with. But I’ll just leave my door open the first few days and try to meet a lot of people. Also, I’m an international so I hopefully will make some friends as the international student orientation, which will give me a little head start.</p>
<p>Oh, and I forgot to ask. I’m not that much into parties. I mean, I like one in a while, but not too often. Would hill or the quad be better for such a person?</p>
<p>Doesn’t matter. Parties don’t take place in the dorms, and it’s pretty random whether or not your hall is social. Quad is best choice for freshmen. </p>