<p>I got accepted into the School of Earth and Mineral Sciences, and really liked the EMS House (Irvin Hall) when I went for an official visit. My question is whether other freshmen do SLOs/if it would be worth doing it, or if I should just apply for the regular housing that everyone else does and look to move into Irvin later on in college. Thanks for any input you can give.</p>
<p>I am not sure how many freshmen apply for that SLO, but I do know there is FISE (Freshmen In Science and Engineering) which is located in East Halls where most freshmen are. SLOs are definitely good for studying and meeting people in your major or similar majors who will have the same classes as you for at least the first year.</p>
<p>Go for the SLO. A lot (maybe most) of those who live in SLOs will be freshmen so you will not miss out.</p>
<p>Definitely do it. You’re more likely to get a better group of people in an SLO than in general housing in East, and West is nicer. And if you want to live on campus after your first year, housing there should be guaranteed if you’re already in it.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend it. My son started out in E House, the Engineering SLO and liked it.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for the feedback, it’s all I needed.</p>
<p>anyone doing the business special living option?</p>
<p>Id go for the SLO. I was in one my freshman year (FISE/Pennypack Experience House) and during half of my sophmore year I was in EHouse. Also West is much nicer than East.</p>
<p>How likely is it for a freshman to get into an SLO such as Irwin hall or a substance free one?</p>
<p>Irvin may be more competitive because more people are likely to request it, but I know people that got to live in E-House, another SLO in West their first year, so it’s not unheard of. </p>
<p>LIFE House, the substance free SLO, is practically guaranteed if you’re a guy, and very likely for girls. I’m on the substance-free floor of Tener in East right now, and out of a floor of about 30 guys, only 11 signed up for it. There are also substance free floors in Ewing in South that are usually for upperclassmen to move to after their first year in Tener, but there are a few freshmen living there. If you don’t want to drink or smoke, they are actually pretty cool because most of the people around you (the ones that chose LIFE House) don’t drink or smoke either, so you tend to find fun things to do together that don’t involve alcohol. The LIFE House East website is currently being rebuilt, but if you’re interested, check out the LIFE House South website here [Life</a> House South](<a href=“Student Organizations | Penn State Student Affairs”>Student Organizations | Penn State Student Affairs).</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. Is my assumption correct that the substance free dorms are quieter and attract more studious kids? Super nerds? Just trying to identify dorms that might be more appealing to the serious but very “cool” student who likes to be able to go to sleep by midnight and is not a big party person.
Also, can you tell me more about E house?</p>
<p>My son lived in E House for two years and seemed to like it. I think West Halls are among the nicer dorms. The rooms are big and have a little more charm than some of the newer buildings; the food in their commons is reputed to be better than at others. As a member a resident is required to participate in a couple social (broomball, cookie decorating) and academic (resum</p>
<p>The substance free floors do tend to attract people like that. For the most part people here care about school, and you usually don’t have drunk people running around and screaming. There are two scholars here, and a lot of the other people are trying to get into the honors college for their sophomore or junior year. We don’t study ALL the time though, and know how to have fun. Some of the people that get stuck here go along with it, but others don’t even care and drink anyway. They can get annoying, but they usually go somewhere else to drink and sleep somewhere else so they don’t get caught.</p>
<p>There are a fair number of serious Christians here, so if you aren’t one you should consider how comfortable you are around religious people. They don’t look down on people that aren’t religious or try to exclude them, but it’s something to be aware of before you decide.</p>
<p>That is an interesting point, bahamut277. I respect other’s religions, but a proselytizing roommate could get annoying.</p>
<p>Do you mean the whole campus has a lot of fundamentalist Christians or only the alcohol free house. What do you mean by alot…is it a significant presence? Would someone politically liberal enjoy PSU?</p>
<p>He said there are a “fair number” in that SLO. State College was a blue spot in a sea of red in the '08 election.</p>
<p>I was only referring to the substance free floors. I know some other religious people that live in other dorms, but for the most part there isn’t a significant religious presence. If you are religious, there are churches downtown, an on-campus spiritual center, and several religious clubs, but if you aren’t then you won’t feel uncomfortable. Politically, liberals and conservatives both fit in.</p>