I am considering going to UW and was wondering about the dorm situation? I would prefer to live in the north dorms vs the west dorms (even though the west ones are BEAUTIFUL) I love how the north ones are right above the quad and more on campus. I am not a social butterfly so I would like to be in a more socially active dorm to kind of force me to make friends. I don’t mind being in not the most aesthetically pleasing dorm as long as the food is relatively good and it’s pretty socially active. What hall would you recommend?
I live on North Campus and I chose it because it’s cheaper. It does feel like it’s more a part of campus proper, but West Campus has cool things about it. Feels more like a part of the city and has better proximity to stuff on the ave…Both have their merits. I think you’d enjoy either of them.
Socially – unless you’re living in Hansee (which is almost a guaranteed downer on an attempt to have a big social life because of its strict rules and layout) the dorm itself isn’t as big of a deal as the floor you’re on… Even a dorm like Haggett, which is known for being very open and sociable (with good reason), can end up being a poor experience if you wind up with a lackadaisical RA and/or mix of people who generally aren’t very friendly. Not much you can do about that, just pick a dorm that you think suits you and hope for the best. It’s generally a very positive experience!
My favorite dorm to hang around is Maple because of Area 01 and its “great room” (large study lounge). Alder has a pretty cool community (I see lots of events going on in their lounge throughout the year) and Haggett is generally bustling with life as it has Rick’s Cafe and tons of get-togethers. I’ve heard mixed reviews on McMahon’s cluster system. I suppose that just depends on how many people you want living in your vicinity.
thank you!!!
@GoDawgs182 Just wondering, what have you heard about terry hall? I got honors and was thinking of doing the honors LLC at terry hall. I know its on the end of West Campus, but the proximity to the libraries and classes still seems to be fine and it looks new and pretty cool. What are your thoughts on its people, as well as on social life?
@jackisawesome how did you hear about the honors program
My brother goes to UW so he always told me about the various different honors program at UW (interdisciplinary and departmental). Then, when applying, I saw the extra application essays and decided to go through with it. I found out about 5 days after I received my UW acceptance packet in the mail (for me it was in a separate letter, yet for some others, they were addressed together).
Terry is technically the furthest dorm from Red Square (Mercer doesn’t count as a dorm, really). But honestly, when you’re talking distance, each building on west campus is about a block apart. It doesn’t make that big of a difference.
West Campus is generally almost exactly the same in terms of room layout. Maple and Terry are a little newer and perhaps a tiny bit nicer than say – Alder or Lander, but not by much. They’re generally the same. If you think you’d be happy in the honors LLC I’d say go for it! I heard that Terry has a gorgeous balcony with a view of Seattle.
The distance between west dorms and main campus isn’t even that bad, with the newest buildings the furthest. Personally, I wouldn’t really want to live in the north dorms not because the buildings look old, but because it feels and smells old… Plus, the doubles have like no room at all, just a little pentagon shaped room, and if you turn your head while sleeping you are looking straight at your roommate. Did I mention it smells bad?
Eh, I live in Haggett and spend plenty of time in McMahon – it’s not as bad as you’re making it sound. Haggett Hall actually has the most floor space out of any room and has a ton of storage built underneath the beds and into the walls. Not to mention, it has some of the only walk-in closets on campus. I won’t live here again, but that’s because I want variety in my living situations. Not because it’s bad.
Not to mention, it’s cheaper. You get what you pay for. In Haggett or McMahon it won’t be as nice but you will be proportionally be paying significantly less. The buildings definitely are old, though. It does not feel like you’re in a modern, comfortable space. But that matters more to some people than others.
I will warn incoming Freshmen – No matter how early you apply, you will be Priority 2 because returning students get priority over new students. West Campus is exponentially more popular than North, and I knew dozens of people who put west campus dorms as their top 7 choices and wound up in Haggett. The system for assigning Freshmen is very unpredictable and I would be cautious in assuming you’ll get into where you choose. Generally, they try their best to get you what you want but not always.
@GoDawgs182 Yeah they definitely have a classic feel. I am just extra sensitive to smells. And the view is definitely gorgeous
I would really like to live in one of the apartments as a freshman. I don’t want to use UW’s meal plans – do you think it is at all possible to get an apartment room as a freshman?
What do you mean by ‘one of the apartments’? Do you mean the ones that UW HFS offers like Stevens Court, Cedar Apartments, or Mercer? Or do you mean the off campus leases.
It’s a little late to iron out a lease for an off campus apartment. The desirable ones are very popular and most of them went very quickly. I could be wrong about some, though. Do a little research.
As for on campus apartments? Stevens Court seems to be quite desirable and gets divvied fairly quickly among returning students, who get higher priority over incoming Freshmen, but I’d do some research on HFS apartments. Mercer isn’t that popular because it’s very (most people say it’s too) expensive and I know almost nothing about Cedar.
Anything HFS related is going to force you into a mealplan, although I think in the case of Stevens Court you can opt into a minuscule plan worth only a few hundred dollars a quarter.
Check Courtyard studios at 8th: http://courtyard8.com. It is the newest apartment building at the west part of UW area and they are still available for rent even now. The unfurnished units run for $850/month plus utilities and furnished for $950. The lease is for 1 year. I know several freshmen who live there. Very modern building, small kitchens, nice bathrooms.