Rooming and Dorm Questions

So, I officially submitted my application information and requested a housing contract. I was looking at all the different options for housing and I know that my parents think it would be most beneficial to have a double with one roommate. This is perfectly fine with me, but I don’t know if I would fit in well with the “quintessential” Freshman experience that East and Pollock Halls have to offer. I’m more so on the quiet side and I stick to a small group of friends. I also heard East was farther away from classrooms??? However, I do know that I have to keep an open mind.

I did apply to Schreyer’s and have to wait until March to hear a decision, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed on that. However, I would still like to look at living in Atherton or Simmons.

My top choice is Simmon’s and applying to The GLOBE (if that’s an option) and my first question is, is that even an option for incoming freshmen?

The second, what would you say are the best dorms closest to the social sciences buildings? I have some college credits that PSU will accept so I don’t have to take some bigger lecture classes (ex. - Psychology and English Comp). I would like to be closer to buildings with my intended major (political science) and I don’t know what dorms are closest to that.

Aside from that, I also looked at SLO options (again, I don’t know if they are available to incoming freshmen?).

And, the last question would be is the actual housing contract? I know the contract I requested was for “Traditional 1st Year Dorms” and what exactly does this mean? Does this mean I am not able to request housing options like SLO and Honors Housing?

I know that’s a lot of information, let me know. Thanks!

Update - I figured out the last question, I just wasn’t looking in the correct place.

One of my classes this semester is in the IM building next to East and let me tell you it is a HIKE.

The Honors Housing webpage (https://www.shc.psu.edu/life/housing/) should have a form for freshmen interest in the GLOBE. The one there right now is for last year, but I assume they’ll update it at some point. Bookmark that page and check back later. Honors housing and the GLOBE are definitely open to freshmen. I think the GLOBE is more selective, though, as they don’t have that many spots.

The College of Liberal Arts is generally housed in Sparks, which is closest to West but also not that far from South. Atherton or Simmons would be a fine choice. It’s like a ten minute walk or less, which is nothing compared to some distances across campus. (Like East to Sparks.) Internet says the PoliSci dept is in Pond Lab, which is east of Sparks and even closer to South Halls. But you’ll likely be taking classes all over campus, thanks to gen eds and whatnot.

If you don’t get into Schreyer, having a housing contract already will be a very good thing, because then you won’t have to go into supplemental. You can probably switch out the “Traditional” contract for the Schreyer “Special Living Option” contract later, if you’re accepted. They’ll work with you. The only reason I’m not in supplemental – accepted my offer of admission at the last possible second – is because of Schreyer.

I currently live in Pollock. It’s much different than East as it is much quieter. While going to South/West/North may be viable and attractive, they are very difficult to get housed there and they have very few first years. Exceptions being SLO’s and Schreyers in South Halls.

My son lived in North for three years – it has plenty of freshmen. I would estimate almost a third of the students. The SLOs in North limit access more than your year in school, imho.