Can someone explain what Hardin House and Scottish Rite are? Why are they so popular, they don’t seem particularly “luxurious” .
Do most freshmen live off campus? What are campus dorms like?
@Aubs1126 UT has capacity to house almost 7,000 students on campus, so many freshmen live on campus. However, since it’s not required for freshmen to live on campus, other off-campus locations are also popular with students.
Scottish Rite Dormitory (SRD) is a private women’s residence hall. It’s a historic building on several acres on the north side of campus. It has a living room and ballroom complete with wood floors, chandeliers, piano, private pool, and dining room in the basement. If you’re considering SRD, stop in for a tour any time.
My personal experience is with SRD so I don’t know much about Hardin House. I recall it was quite a bit more expensive than SRD so we never considered it for my daughter.
I loved living in SRD. It was a beautiful dorm, the food was excellent, and the swimming pool was great! I lived there all four years. Back in the late '50s, my mom lived there for four years, too!
Once you have applied to UT, go ahead and apply for housing. The cost is $50. If you are accepted to UT, you will then enter dorm preferences. I have a senior applying to UT so I am new to this process but a friend with a son at UT told me to go ahead and apply for housing very early. There are also very nice private dorms in West Campus which are within walking distance of campus, but I think they cost more.
I don’t know much about the individual dorms. One child stayed at Kinsolving for a week. The dorm was basic but seemed fine to me. A close friend lived there back in the day, and she loved it.
I really think living on campus or very close to campus is best if possible. I drove to campus this morning, and parking is tough plus there are lots of people crossing the streets at every interesectiom. I know I wouldn’t want my son to deal with that traffic everyday.
My experience is also with SRD - My older sister and I both lived there freshman years only and it was very nice. It was beautifully decorated and as mentioned previously had a nice pool and ball room. There were a few small study areas in the common areas for group studying, it had a laundry room, security at night, good food, and waiters for formal meals. You had to have a Mason in your family tree to have a great chance to secure housing at SRD at least when I lived there. The cost was more reasonable than Hardin House. My perception was that these two girls dorms attract the same population. Also, I was able to pay for a nice parking spot at SRD - likely this is available at Hardin House as well. I had a very large 2 person room referred to as a “SUN ROOM” and was fortunate enough to randomly draw a great roommate.
@drkbaker, I had a sun room, too! On One West, close to the front door.
You don’t have to have a Mason in your family anymore - they will assign one to “sponsor” you, but you don’t even have to know him.
Ha I guess it shows it’s been some time since I was there.