D admitted to Honors for bio. Unsure of what dorm to choose. We know about the mold problem and dorm closings, but could we hear from current students re reputations of various dorms or “what I wish I’d known when I made my choices.”
Thanks!
Current reputations would not apply with the closing of McNutt and Foster. Kid was in McNutt but at least on his floor it didn’t hold up to the “party dorm” reputation. So I think you’ll get a little bit of everything in all the dorms.
This is a decent article. I don’t think it matters a whole lot where you end up.
https://weareiu.com/student-life/life-on-campus/an-easy-guide-to-ius-dorms/
Additionally, your daughter may want to consider the Women in STEM LLC in Wells – I visited recently, and the rooms are beautiful! Keep in mind, though, that it will cost more as it is an enhanced dorm.
This is the first year they are allowing students to preference specific dorm buildings on the housing app. I would preference something in the Southeast neighborhood. Although closing some mold impacted dorms there are other dorms of similar age, construction. Mold has been found in dorms than just those being taken offline in May. If you have any underlying health issues, respiratory or immuno-compromised issues you want to know the history of the building or be sure you submit a doctor’s note with a special request. Download and read the housing contract thoroughly. Know what it does and does not guarantee as well as the lack of laws in the State of Indiana governing housing or environmental health issues at colleges especially public entities. Preference is preference not a guarantee. The contract specifies the university’s option to change your assignment and that it does not constitute a breach of contract. There is a housing shortage for next year, that may spill over into the following year if renovations and financials aren’t as hoped. Landlords are aware of this. The U has pulled back all signed on-campus assignments housing contracts for next year for returning students, bumping those students off campus. This makes oncampus room for 8000 freshman they hope to welcome to campus. Those bumped have been offered a 10% discount to return to campus the following year and priority registration ahead of every other student. On campus housing guaranteed for freshman but realize that next Sept/Oct when housing contracts start getting signed for the most popular places, best pricing, inventory and supply vs demand issues may impact you. There are waitlists started at more popular off campus apartment complexes for the 20-21 academic year already. Briscoe dorm has been popular as it is near the athletic venues but it will be kind of isolated next year with the construction and renovation projects on the McNutt and Foster Quads. There are two Teter buildings coming back online next year which are centrally located, but since the other 3 have mold issues and are being taken off line, there are those concerned about whether the two coming back have been tested for mold.There are a variety of LLC’s at IU and if you can verify what building they will be in, applying for admission to one of those can be a good way for a freshman to increase their chances of getting assigned to a particular building. There is a separate application process and notification timeline for each one.
The Wells quad was completely gutted, renovated, and opened as a housing option in 2017. Currently 2 of the 4 buildings house students. Goodbody hall has the Bookmarket eatery and is home to the Women in Stem LLC. Old Memorial hall faces 3rd street, looks like a castle, and houses the STEM thematic community. These buildings are super convenient for science students with most classes a five minute walk. The LLC’s involve a separate essay type application. The point of WSTEM is the mentoring students receive to gain access to lab positions and research. Some events are shared with STEM. If you want these buildings, then apply to the LLC or ask for the STEM thematic community. It gets a bit sticky if you have preselected a roommate. Just be aware that if roomie is not selected to the LLC you will either be paired with a new roommate or stay together in another location. FYI, lab positions can be obtained independently. Follow the Hoosierbiology blog a couple times a week to get a heads up on everything going on in the bio departments.