<p>I've heard conflicting reports about Willkie, some saying that it is one of the nicest dorms on campus, and others saying that it is just average, overpriced (I will be paying $3333/term) and far away from the main campus locations.</p>
<p>I'm an older freshman (just turned 22), so I'm thinking that being assigned to a single in Willkie will make it harder to take part in the freshman experience as I would be in a dorm comprised of mostly upperclassmen. I'm not too worried about making friends as I am an outgoing person, but nevertheless, I would like to interact and make lasting memories with other freshmen.</p>
<p>So can anyone tell me in detail what it is like in Willkie? Maybe compare to a mainly freshman dorm.</p>
<p>I lived at Willkie my sophomore year at IU. I lived there in a two-room suite with my best friend (it had 2 separate bedrooms, plus one living room and a bathroom with a private toilet and shower and two sinks). This could be a good option for you because it provides “face time” with a roommate, but with a lot more space and privacy than our freshman dorm gave us. Keep in mind that even in a standard single, you’ll be sharing a bathroom with another student, so there is some social interaction involved there.<br>
However, since Willkie is an uperclassman dorm, you’ll find a lot less interaction among people in the hallway than in freshman dorms, because most of the people living there have already established their social circles on campus and aren’t necessarily looking for other people to hang out with. Still, I did meet some people at Willkie, and I had a lot of fun there.<br>
As far as Willkie being overpriced, I would say that that is probably the case, but all of the other dorms are overpriced, too. You pay for the convenience of living close to classes and the perks of the residence halls (computers, dorm libraries, small workout centers, social events, etc.). I was extremely happy with our room at Willkie, and it’s definitely a lot nicer than the dorm I lived in my freshman year (it didn’t smell bad, the bathroom actually looked like it was constructed after 1923, etc.).
Overall, I would suggest living in Willkie, but in order to get the “freshman experience,” you’ll want to make sure that you join an activity or two on campus (check out the Student Activities Fair in the Union for lots of choices) so that you can make friends more easily. I made lots of friends my freshman year, but most of the long-lasting ones were formed in activities like Union Board, not on my dorm floor. Good luck, and have a great freshman year!</p>
<p>If you’re an outgoing person, you might not like Willkie. It’s generally known as a very quiet, solitary dorm. They are nice, and air conditioned, but overall rather small. I also think they are incredibly overpriced, compared to a regular dorm.</p>
<p>I didn’t live there, but two of my friends did last year (single room, shared bathroom with a neighbor). Both reported not even knowing their neighbors names, and they rarely, if ever saw anyone. You might feel isolated, and will likely miss out on the freshman experience there. But, as an older student, you might appreciate not having an RA, and the lenient alcohol policy there.</p>
<p>Your experience there will depend largely on who your neighbors are. Also, since you’re outgoing, there are lots of opportunities to meet people outside of the dorms. Having a place to yourself could be a benefit.</p>
<p>Thank you both for the great replies! Your valuable info is much appreciated.</p>