<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I know that I would like an updated version of the dorm thread. The other one is 5 years old and I'm pretty sure the university has changed since then. If any current student could give a rundown/pros/cons of each dorm and its relative size, that would be great.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I might write on each residence hall. But this is more important:</p>
<p>Each residence hall has certain “sterotypes”, “quirks”, “features”, etc. associated with it. Key word: associated. These generalizations do not apply to everyone in the residence hall. I know people from almost every residence hall and have been in several and pretty much, they’re all rather similar in terms of the “composition” of people. There will be a few in each house that seem to embody these generalizations but it is very few. I would choose your residence hall based on how you want to live as opposed to the type of people. Some residence halls facilitate certain things like more parties (if the residence hall is larger) among other things. Other houses facilitate very strong house culture/bonds if there is only one house in the residence hall or the residence hall historically has strong house culture.</p>
<p>I suppose you could take the stereotypes into account, but don’t think of them as “defining”.</p>
<p>I would somewhat disagree with sa0209. While each dorm and house is certainly diverse and has a nice cross-section of the entire student body, the stereotypes are, more or less, accurate. Part of this is because they’re self-fulfilling – going in to the housing lottery, people generally know the stereotype associated with each dorm and align themselves with the one that they feel they ‘fit’ into. Also, part of it is geography. Athletes are, with out a doubt, significantly more present in Pierce (well, until it gets destroyed) and Max, because of their proximity to Ratner and Crown.</p>
<p>I’m sure everyone would benefit from a write-up of each dorm… pretty please :D</p>
<p>Anyway, as a prospective student, is it easier to meet new people as a first year if you take a double as opposed to a single? </p>
<p>And also, I know Max and South are more known as party dorms; is it common for students from other ‘nonparty dorms’ to travel over there on weekends or weeknights (or just travel between dorms in general)?</p>
<p>Downside to Max is you have to clean your own private bathroom-
2 doubles (4 students) share a private bathroom but must clean it themselves.
Can’t beat the location though, heard you can wake-up 5 mins before class.</p>
<p>Max:
Suite-style living with 4 students per suite. Rooms are large and comfortable, private bathroom is fantastic and isn’t too difficult to clean. Houses are 80-110 people and are centered around fairly large lounges – some have ping pong tables! Max tends to attract more athletic people because of it’s proximity to Ratner and Crown; however, there is definitely a lot of diversity. </p>
<p>Pierce:
Who cares, it’s getting destroyed. </p>
<p>Maclean:
Very communal, mostly singles, people spend a lot of time in their various lounges. Has a massive and well-used kitchen. </p>
<p>South:
I don’t know much about South. It’s very modern and sleek. The dining hall is probably the nicest of the 3 on campus. Most students live in doubles or singles; however, there are also some really amazing apartments. Like Max, seems to be a more ‘social’ dorm. </p>
<p>Snell/Hitchcock:
The classic dorm. Gothic, on the quad, intensely involved with school traditions such as scav. The building and lounges are gorgeous. The students tend to be a bit more of the traditional, UChicago-quirky type. </p>
<p>Breckenridge:
I don’t think I’ve ever met a student from Breck… so… </p>
<p>Broadview:
Again, I don’t know much. A bit far away, but conveniently located if you’re looking to get downtown frequently. They have pretty good size lounges and a number of singles. </p>
<p>Blackstone:
NA</p>
<p>Stony Island:
Apartments. Used to be only upperclassmen, but they’ve started putting first years there as well. </p>
<p>I-House and New Grad:
The College is having to use these for housing because of increased enrollment and Pierce getting torn down. I can’t really comment on either of them. New Grad does have some massive rooms, but they’re also very far away.</p>
<p>You forgot B-J.</p>
<p>Any idea what the room sizes are like in Snell-Hitchcock as compared to, say, Max-Palevsky?</p>
<p>This page and its links give some details about typical room sizes: <a href=“https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/residentlife/housesystem/halls.shtml[/url]”>https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/residentlife/housesystem/halls.shtml</a>. Click on the “Hall” links for the room/bathroom descriptions, rather than the “House” links (which tell you what restaurant they go to for their house nights out).</p>
<p>Is dorm preferences first come first serve? I kinda want to wait until regular decision to decide if UChicago is my top choice, but I definitely want a more social dorm.</p>
<p>Priority in dorm assignments is based on the date you pay your enrollment deposit. Once you pay your enrollment deposit, your priority is fixed, and you don’t need to send in your actual housing application until the due date (May 1).</p>
<p>Anyone know which dorms are most into Scav? I have heard that some are more active/involved than others.</p>
<p>Snell/Hitchcock and BJ seem to be the most active the past several years:
[The</a> University of Chicago Scavenger Hunt](<a href=“http://scavhunt.uchicago.edu/yore.html]The”>http://scavhunt.uchicago.edu/yore.html)</p>
<p>What is BJ like? (Not covered in post #6, which is quite helpful on all the other dorms).</p>
<p>This is from a parent of a BJ residents’ point of view, but it is very similar in it’s gothic looks to Snell Hitchcock. Traditional UChicago type student. Traditional dorm layout with communal bathrooms, mostly single rooms-even for freshman. Shares dining hall with South and several smaller dorms. Fewer athletes, as Ratner is not too close. Lots of house traditions. Ice rink right in front!</p>