So when I received my acceptance packet, it came with a folder that described different “living communities”. Are these specifially housing options? Does that mean that different residential places are catered to different things? Or are these just specific residential options and the rest are normal? Sorry if these questions sound a little strange. I was invited to join the Living Arts one because I am a prospective music and astronomy double major and I really like that it has practice rooms. I also got an email about the telluride house and I would know if anyone knows anything about it and if its worth it, please tell me. I read a bit about it and I don’t understand the big deal other than you apparently get a room and board scholarship??
Those are residential programs that reside in specific dorms. Check if you are interested in any of them. Application is required. If you don’t get in, you will still be eligible to regular housing. Some students apply to the residential program solely for the location. I am strongly against that. Note that there may be some obligation associated with each program. Some may require an evening meeting or seminar. So one should only apply if there are really interested in the program. Living Arts is in the North Campus and would convenient for music major.
Oh okay so it’s WITHIN one of the residential buildings. Is there a different cost to living in these than regular dorms? Do you have any personal experience with one of these?
The cost is not different. The purpose of the living communities is to foster cohesion among like-minded people. It makes a big university feel smaller. Although, as @billcsho said, a lot of students apply to living communities because they want the guarantee to be housed on central campus. Of course, that’s not an issue with Living Arts because it’s on north campus. That’s a positive because you’ll know that the students who apply are genuinely interested in the community.
My D was in the Wise residential program in the freshmen year. I think it did offer additional support which is particularly good for freshmen. There was not much obligation for Wise anyway, so there is really nothing to complain except for the evening meeting that may have conflict with some tutorial class or exam that happened a few times.
Makes sense now, thanks everyone!
If you’re interested in music, I would consider that you look into the Residential College. They have a phenomenal music program with great facilities (and a few practice rooms). The RC is housed in East Quad. There are classrooms and professors’ offices in the building as well as a dining hall, art studios, and the Keene Theatre (where a lot of RC musicians perform).
I have received an invitation into the Living Arts Residential Community, which sounds really awesome due to them having practice rooms within the building. Definitely something I’m thinking about!