<p>Dickinson – the oldest of the communities. The only one inside “the Brain” (ie the loop around campus – if you look at a map, it’s shaped like a brain) so Dickinson is convenient to just about everything. Corridor style with shared hall bathroom. Is due to be rebuilt - concluding in 2013 when it will move to outside of the Brain (they have to first finish rebuilding Newing). Has a reputation as being less desirable because its older and corridor style, but people who end up there often end up liking it. Lot of traditions.</p>
<p>Newing – Second oldest. Used to be all corridor with shared bathrooms. Is now in the process of being rebuilt. One new Newing dorm is complete, the rest are due for completion for Fall 2011. in the new dorms, a cluster of double rooms share a bathroom so its a little more private than a corridor shared bathroom. The old Newing collegiate center (which includes the dining hall) was torn down and a new one is in the process of being built (which will eventually be shared with Dickinson) so there is no dining hall there right now. Has a reputation for appealing to jocks and frats – but I don’t know if that will remain the case as the new building emerge and the newness attracts others as well.</p>
<p>Hinman – All suite style. 2-3 double rooms share a suite lounge and a bathroom. Rooms a bit on the small side. Right across from the Lecture Hall. Reputation for being a little more quiet – which is probably a function of suite style living – you have to make more of an effort to meet those not in your suite, whereas in the corridor style dorms you naturally see your floor mates more readily.</p>
<p>CIW (College in the Woods) – very popular – a bit of a “funkier” reputation. The floors are a combination of suites and double rooms. Suites can be 5 person (double and a triple) or 6 person (3 doubles) that share a suite lounge and a bathroom. Doubles on the floor share a community bathroom. There is also a “designed” triple on each floor (historically – they used to be floor lounges). Very social reputation. One of the CIW dorms, Mohawk, is a newer building and is all suite. If you select CIW (you aren’t guaranteed you’ll get your choice when you give a housing preference as a new student) you have no way of knowing if you’d get a suite or a corridor.</p>
<p>Mountainview – Newest community. Mostly suites – some triples. HUGE rooms. Suites are 6 person (3 double rooms) or 4 person (2 double rooms) sharing a suite lounge and bathroom (6 person suite has TWO bathrooms). Its up a hill, a good hike to get to. As with Hinman, since all suite, you have to make an effort to get to know your floor mates. Some say its therefore not as social. Some just love the newness. </p>
<p>Susquehanna and Hillside - the Apartments – not for Freshman. I think most are single rooms sharing a living room, bathroom(s), and kitchen. Fairly nice – but definitely off the beaten path. Nice if you want to live with a group of friends and not have to be on a meal plan, but don’t want to find an off-campus apartment.</p>
<p>At least in the past, some types of students (athletes and scholars) would get housing priority – and many would choose Mountainview since it was newer or CIW because of its social reputation – so you might find more of those students in those communities. I don’t know if those priorities still exist. rooms are set aside in all of the communities (except apartments) for freshmen so a freshman could end up in any of them. after frehsmen year, housing priority is based on a combination of where you live already and the number of credits you and those you wish to live with have.</p>
<p>anywhere it says that rooms are “doubles” those rooms are subject to being tripled if there is a freshman housing crunch (a couple of years ago it was really bad and many freshmen were tripled for the entire year – i know they try hard to manage enrollment to avoid this, but you never know until you see who actually enrolls how this is going to be).</p>
<p>In general – the communities offer a base for socializing – as a practical matter the people on your floor and in your dorm are the ones you’ll first get to meet. And they have community activities if you choose to participate (eg co-rec football) which are great ways to get to know people. And since each community has a dining hall (except for Newing while construction is going on) it is also easier to eat with people from your community. But people also meet others in classes, through activities/clubs, etc. In general there is a lot of community pride – people generally like whatever community they end up living in even if they were disappointed when they heard which one it was.</p>