<p>Hi, I am assigned to a traditional dorm, but I really want a modern one this year. Can someone tell me what is involved in switching dorms, and is there a waitlist or something to get into the new ones? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>I think you should give the traditional dorm some time before you try to move. I do not think that you will be permitted to move unless you have a valid reason. What is your reason?</p>
<p>I don't think that's a good enough reason to move dorms (to ResLife, or most people)... You can't stand a traditional dorm?</p>
<p>When S was a freshman he "really" wanted a modern dorm, too. He was put in a traditional dorm and as things turned out, he couldn't have been happier.</p>
<p>Just be flexible.</p>
<p>Thanks for all your replies. I was wanting a modern dorm because I have really, really bad allergies and was hoping to avoid buying Costco sized Benadryl and Claritin.</p>
<p>I'm sure if your allergies do become an issue you can probably move to a modern dorm. But modern dorms have issues too (chemicals from carpet, formaldehyde insulation, and particle board construction and etc...). Traditional dorms are built with cement block (better for allergies). The cleaning people do a good job keeping the bathrooms clean! Hang-in-there and see how it goes before jumping to any conclusions!</p>
<p>I agree that the allergy thing probably won't work because my daughter's traditional dorm seemed so bare that there was nothing one could be allergic to - no rug, no drapes, hard chair. </p>
<p>Does anyone know what percent of people are in traditional dorms? When we went on our visit the tour guide said, "By the time you're here, you'll all be in new dorms" and of course we only saw a modern dorm. Than my daughter got assigned to a totally crappy, old dorm with really no common areas, etc.</p>
<p>She was there at a program over the summer and went crying to reslife immediately and they said there was nothing to be done. So you may as well get used to it.</p>
<p>If it's any consolation, everyone who has been in a traditional dorm has had a great experience.</p>
<p>I was also told that because she didn't get her choice this year, she would get a high priority next year but this seems to be a myth according to reslife.</p>
<p>I heard that next summer 2008 Lee/Beaumont will be torn down. I'm sure Res Life would love to honor all requests for modern dorms, but not until new dorms replace old dorms. Sorry to hear that everybody is so upset.</p>
<p>Umm... what do allergies have to do with old dorms? Nothing.</p>
<p>40% of freshmen are in old dorms - They modified the old demolition/replacement plan last year, so the older dorms are sticking around a bit longer than originally planned I believe.</p>
<p>
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Than my daughter got assigned to a totally crappy, old dorm with really no common areas, etc.
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What do the new dorms have that the old dorms don't? (besides semi-private bathrooms, which just mean more of a chance that someone will be in the shower when you want it)</p>
<p>Aside from a lounge or study room on each floor, there's not much difference. Instead of lounges, we used peoples' rooms or the building lounge to chill in - Not really any different than new dorms.</p>
<p>Having a lounge or study room on each floor seems way better than either hanging out in someone else's room or having to go down 3 floors to the building lounge.</p>
<p>Your daughter will enjoy it one way or another - Don't know many people who have come out of any dorm situation (even forced traditional triple when they requested a modern double) unsatisfied with the year.</p>
<p>D1 lived in a modern dorm her freshman year and found it noisy because the walls are thin. It was also a little cramped because the rooms are slightly narrower than traditional dorms and her roommate came with a houseful of belongings. Despite all, she had a great year and made wonderful friends. D2 followed her sister to Wash U two years later and opted for a traditional dorm precisely because of D1's complaints. D2 landed in Beaumont. The dorm was a little crusty, it smelled a little musty and the hallways are a maze. The doubles are a little wider than modern dorms and with a little creative decorating, quite cozy. Quite like her sister, D2 had a great year and made wonderful friends. The moral here...it is the people you meet and the friends that you make that shape your experience. Your room is just a room and no room/dorm is perfect. Let go of your disappointment with your room and focus on WHO you are around and within no time you will forget that your room/dorm is not perfect.</p>