<p>Hey everyone! I won't be able to attend Penn Preview Days so I figured that I might as well get a start on my housing application sooner rather than later. Anyways, I'm split between the Quad and the Harrison FreshEx program. Harrison's apartment style living really appeals to me and I'm not a fan of shared bathrooms, but apparently the Quad is kind of like the social mecca of campus. I don't want to become isolated if I live in a high rise, which is my main concern since I heard that apparently if you don't live in the Quad or Hill you are, essentially, socially doomed. However, I don't really want to give up the promise of apartment style living...so I come to you, CC, for help. Should I go for Harrison's FreshEx or the Quad? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>You will not be socially doomed in Fresh Ex. However, the Quad is on another social dimension (woah). It really depends on what kind of person you are.</p>
<p>I’m also heading to Penn in the fall and my advice would be to do the apartment thing in your 2nd year. As a freshman, my primary goal at least is to meet people and make new friends - I’m not willing to risk losing out on that. And neither should you be!</p>
<p>FightingQuaker, what happened to your “do freshex do freshex!!” mantra?</p>
<p>That’s still my mantra. I did freshex my freshman year, and then I was a ‘mentor’ this past year (so I had a less biased view of the freshmen), and you definitely won’t miss out socially (unless you don’t make an effort, of course, but that happens in the quad too).</p>
<p>Besides the awesome facilities, awesome people, awesome events Harrison puts on (in FreshEx and just the House in general), awesome budget you guys get (restaurant week for $5?? Yes please), you also are guaranteed a spot in Harrison sophomore year, and if you room with other FreshExers (which many people do) you literally have your pick of rooms since freshmen in FreshEx get extra points. (Whereas if you live in the quad, you have to participate in the lottery system, which isn’t a guarantee).</p>
<p>I never felt I missed out on anything living in FreshEx, so definitely do it!! You also have the chance in the Quad of ending up in an antisocial hall…while I’m sure most are pretty social, I have friends whose halls weren’t.</p>
<p>How hard is it to get into FreshEx and does anyone else have experiences with FreshEx? I’m debating between Fischer and Harrison…I want a social environment and being able to meet people, but I love the idea of having a bit more space and I am a pretty independent person. I’m also scared of having common bathrooms because I get occasional migraines with nausea…oftentimes at like 3am, and it would suck having to run (down the hallway) to the bathroom every 30 minutes.</p>
<p>FreshEx has actually gotten a lot more competitive, and they had to turn away a lot of applicants last year. However, it really doesn’t hurt to apply. Also, you can even put in your essay that one of the reasons you want FreshEx (but don’t emphasize it as a main reason) is the migraine thing.</p>
<p>There are only about 80 freshmen a year in FreshEx (and the program has evolved over the past few years), so it’s doubtful someone else on CC besides fightingquaker will have experience with it, but hopefully. In the meantime, feel free to ask more specific questions. I was a docent last spring, so I can talk all about FreshEx haha.</p>
<p>Haha, now I’m even more conflicted! So, is there a strong sense of community amongst FreshExers then? As for the competitiveness of the program, do you know how it chooses people? Like, based on the essay? Oh yeah, and how far away is Harrison from the engineering buildings?</p>
<p>What are they looking for in the essay?
And what are some of the highlights of the Freshman Ex? Like what are some of the events? How are the people awesome? Haha. 
If I do go for harrison, I feel like writing a convincing essay of why I want to attend FreshEx will be difficult because I don’t really know what it’s like except for the very short blurbs I’ve read about it on their website. Of course, it’s great to have the resources to speak with upperclassmen who can provide resources, etc, but what are the other advantages?</p>
<p>I guess the number one reason I would consider Harrison over one of the houses in the Quad is the availability of in-suite bathrooms. But is this really such a major thing to be concerned about? Is there a current student that can comment on what it’s like to have to use shared bathrooms? I’d like to know how well looked after they are – dirty bathrooms would certainly turn me away from that housing option. Also, are there long line-ups for showers, etc. in the mornings?</p>
<p>I discussed Fresh Ex a bunch last year. </p>
<p>Highlights:</p>
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</p>
<p>I am having the same tough decision. QUICK QUESTION–about how many applicants to FreshEx are allowed in? and if you don’t get in, do you still get put in the housing lottery? Like if I apply and DON’T get in, will I just be put in a random house? I reallllly want to be a part of FreshEx… but I don’t wanna be screwed over if I don’t get in :/</p>
<p>Applying to residential programs is PART of the lottery system. You can use your first two slots to apply to a residential program. If you don’t get in, the system will go down the line of your other choices.</p>
<p>ahhhh okay thanks for the clarity</p>