<p>So, I've read lots of threads about dorms, but since South Campus is new I haven't seen a lot about it. If I had gone to Chicago a couple years ago I probably would have chosen to live in Shoreland because it seemed the most typical-college of all the dorms (more partying). So, does anyone know how social life is in the South Campus dorm? I think I'm between South Campus and Max right now, and any advice would be appreciated!</p>
<p>Max and South are where you want to be if you want new stuff. I’ve yet to go to someone’s room in South but i’ve heard they’re basically a newer version of Pierce (which is the best dorm in all social aspects but unfortunately has freezing showers, mice infestation, and now a bedbug infestation.)</p>
<p>South Campus has one hidden advantage no one knows about- it stays open during spring break like the shoreland did. I need to stay in Chicago over break for a few days and didn’t know anyone to bum off of at south campus or upper classmen in apartments ( I live in Pierce) so it was an issue.</p>
<p>As for amenities, from what i’ve seen, South Campus is the holyland compared to Pierce. The only problem I would have with living in South is its distance from the gyms and the regenstein library. But you can always crash the law school or just walk to Harper to study… </p>
<p>I actually wanted to put South as one of my choices but my parents forbid me due to their belief that everything south of the midway is crime infested. That’s one of the most overplayed statements ever. There’s a frigging police station right next to South, a guy would have to be psychotic to attempt anything near there. Btw the campus in general feels as safe as a fortress. Just be careful when you go anywhere outside the campus bubble though as the area around the red subway line is apparently the 2nd most dangerous neighborhood in America or something.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response!
South Campus is looking pretty good right now.</p>
<p>If I were you, I’d do some more research before picking the new South dorm. Some people like all the glass etc at the new dorm. Personally, I hate it and think it’s ugly. And, I don’t think it’s a benefit that you can look down and watch other people studying–it’s creepy.</p>
<p>I’d go for Max or Pierce. They are both right in the center of campus, and also close to places off campus where students would like to got to eat, shop, etc.</p>
<p>Pierce looks like a prison to some (it was built in brutalistic style in 1960) but, once you’re inside, after awhile it seems very cozy. The rooms are only slightly smaller than Max–and to me, seem larger than what the published dimensions would suggest. I hadn’t heard about the bed bug or rat problems, and the version I heard about the showers was that the water changed from hot to lukewarm, not cold–but maybe it depends on the time you shower. But, that’s still an improvement over my old dorm (not at U of C) that was also built in 1960, where you were seriously scalded with hot water every time someone flushed the toilet. And, I HAVE heard that the people in the Pierce Houses get very close with each other. I really like the setup of having the rooms surround the central 2-story lounge on all four sides. Also, in the Pierce setup, there is no dorm room across the hall from you, which keeps things quieter. I’ve heard the people in Pierce described as “happy,” and that has been my experience when I’ve visited.</p>
<p>Max is ugly, but a lot of people like the suite set-up where you only share a bathroom with 3 other people if you have a double–2 if a single. However, you have to clean your own bathroom.</p>
<p>Last year, there were a series of articles in the “Uncommon Blog” about each of the Houses, which was very interesting. I think they’re still posted on the U of C Web site.</p>
<p>If you want to live on the south side of campus, personally I’d go for Burton-Judon. Mostly singles, smaller Houses–people there seem to be very loyal, not to mention the gothic architecture and Ivy, and a beautiful dining room. </p>
<p>I’m leaving out Snell-Hitchcock because apparently it is so popular (and so small) that it gets filled by early admits.</p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>if you are mainly looking for a party dorm, i would say definitely choose either south or max, with a slightly bigger preference to south because the rooms are bigger, which means more dorm parties. i still prefer max though since i could not think of parting with my (semi) private bathroom 
Plus the location of max can’t be beat (just steps away from the gym, bartlett dining hall, and the regenstein library).</p>
<p>Again, thanks for the responses! They’re helpful but also super confusing because now I feel completely divided between Max and South!</p>
<p>For intramural sports, are both South and Max pretty involved in that? I think that would be a fun thing to do.</p>
<p>I’m not a student at U of C, but from what I have seen of the dorms–if you’re picking between Max and the South Dorm–go with Max, hands down, no contest.</p>
<p>Max is literally in the center of campus. It’s an awesome location, which you’ll greatly appreciate in the winter.</p>
<p>And, people who have them, seem to really like the in-suite style, where you only share a bathroom with three other people–1 other person if you’re in a single. And, the bathroom is split–small room with toilet/sink on one side, and separate small room with shower/sink on the other side, so a “shower-hogger” won’t hold everyone else up.</p>
<p>I can’t compare amenities–a current U of C student needs to do that.</p>
<p>Personally, I think Max is ugly, but to me, the South Dorm looks like a prison with lots of glass. Max’s building isn’t ugly, but it’s painted as if the architect was having an LSD flashback while designing it. I suspect that if you see it every day you get used to it. Some people say it brightens up the campus in winter. I saw it on Monday and it was still ugly.</p>
<p>I think the rooms in South Dorm may be slightly larger, but the tradeoff is that you’re sharing a coed bathroom with a lot of other people.</p>
<p>As for food, Bartlett is not actually inside the Max building, but it is so close, it might as well be. And, despite the changes to food service this year, Bartlett still seems to rank as the best food. And, Max is right next to both the library and U of C’s very awesome gym.</p>
<p>Off-campus amenities are currently better near the north end of campus. I think the South Dorm will catch up, but it’s not there yet.</p>
<p>I’d pick Pierce as second choice, but that’s just me. I’ve visited Pierce several times, and it grows on me every time I visit. Plus, the people there seem very nice and friendly.</p>
<p>If I were going to pick a dorm on the south of campus, I’d pick B-J, just because, when I was in college, I would have killed for a single room, plus B-J is beautiful, and looks the way a college should look. I’ve never been inside B-J, but based on posts on CC, B-J folks are very loyal to their dorm.</p>
<p>I’m leaving out the dorms off-campus, because I think that for a first-year, being right on campus is better. But, the students living in the off-campus dorms might disagree.</p>
<p>I’m not even mentioning Snell-Hitchcock, because apparently it is so popular it gets filled up with EA admits. But, it’s also a beautiful dorm (from the outside, at least), and right near Bartlett, the library, the gym, etc. (It’s right across a small quad from Max.)</p>
<p>Another reason for Max is that the Houses have had 10 years to “settle in,” develop traditions, etc. A current student would have to address intramurals, but I think both Max and South Campus are into that.</p>
<p>My 2 cents (which is about what my opinion is worth) from someone who lives in Chicago, has a relative in Pierce, and who visits the campus often.</p>
<p>…and now I’m torn between the two! Thanks for the response, it was definitely helpful…and Max’s location is definitely appealing.</p>