I’m wondering which dorm is right for a freshmen. I’m interested in North Halls since it has private bathrooms and sort of a suite life, but I heard East halls is a great way to meet people. Are freshmen always put together in a dorm or do they put students of different years together, like a sophomore with a freshmen? Also, do you have any experiences in Brumbaugh Hall for the Tri-ROTC special living option?
@swampertness East Halls is the entirely freshman dorm complex. If you want a freshman experience and all that that entails select East. I do no mean the phrase “freshman experience” to be good or bad. I think East is great for meeting new people because you are all freshmen and in the same situation. But, since the dorms are filled exclusively with freshmen you will also see/be exposed to the party/crazy/nosey side of the freshman experience. Which is neither bad nor good, just part of the experience. My son is in East and not a big partier but nevertheless wanted the full “freshman experience” and I think he’s getting that and doesn’t regret it. It’s all part of the college experience.
I do not know if you get assigned to North whether you will be paired with another freshman.
East Halls is where most of the freshmen will be, and that is great for making friends! My daughter requested East for the ‘true freshman experience’, but got placed in McElwain Hall (South) in a forced triple with two other freshmen. Before move-in she was nervous about it, but once move-in and welcome week started, she was thrilled to be in the center of campus, and loves living in McElwain. It’s quiet and convenient and well-maintained, as well as the rooms have a ton of built-in storage. It’s a gorgeous old building and is steps from the HUB and downtown. Shared bathroom is no biggie, it is huge and always spotless. Her roommates are amazing, totally random roommate selection and they are best friends, moving next year to share a one-bedroom downtown, so I guess it wasn’t too bad having three of them crammed into a room for two!
Hall mates are nice, but it doesn’t have that ‘tight-knit hall crew’ feel that you would have in an all-freshmen dorm. So thumbs up for East likely making lots of friends and being surrounded by freshmen, thumbs down for East having to always hike or take the bus.
North may as well be in another country, but West has some freshmen in there and a really nice feel to it. Pollock is more conveniently located than east, but otherwise very similar and tons of freshman.
Best of luck to you, one thing about Penn State, you’ll love it no matter where you end up!
@naptownnittany
Hi my daughter is assigned to mcelwain hall for three persons’ room. I heard that they changes two persons room to three persons. I hope no bunk bed. Does it has in room bathroom/showers? how about storage? Any additional items you suggest?
It is technically a two person room, yes. But three fit in there just fine, there is a ton of built-in storage along one wall that completely absorbed all of their stuff. They didn’t even need or use the underbed drawers of most of the upper cabinets. The storage is an entire wall floor to ceiling with two built-in dressers with super-deep drawers and vanity tops with mirrors, and two really huge closets with big wooden sliding doors, plus a cubby behind the entry door for the fridge/microwave unit that’s provided. They put in a separate dresser for a third person. And there are three desks with built in shelves above and chairs. One set of bunked beds and the third bed is lofted already so that there is room underneath to put a desk and even the dresser if you wish. My daughter’s roommate hung a bar underneath and used part of the underbed as a ‘closet’. I have pretty detailed pictures of how the room is set up if you would be interested in receiving them off this site via email or text.
I was super-anxious about it, but they loved their room so much, I can’t even tell you. Never one issue with space or feeling cramped. And the dorm has the best location on campus and is kept really clean. Quiet enough to study, close enough to all campus events to feel really involved. Hall bathrooms are huge and well-maintained. Never any wait for showers according to my student. She 100% recommends McElwain for Freshmen. Plus, move-in was a breeze due to it being away from the crowds at East Halls.
Feel free to text me at 443-995-0866 if you have any questions.