<p>Is it a bad idea for a (probably) science major to live on South Campus freshman year?</p>
<p>I'm in WCAS, so I'd have to take a lot of distribution requirement classes down south anyway my first year. I just think I'd really prefer the atmosphere on South Campus to that on North, from everything that I've read. I would prefer a relatively quiet (but not socially dead) dorm. I'm thinking Allison, Shepard, and NMQ/SMQ are my best bets. Willard is too far away from the academic buildings and seems somewhat socially isolated, from what I've read. </p>
<p>Anybody have input? I'd especially like to hear about the atmosphere of NMQ/SMQ and whether it is a good choice for freshman.</p>
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<li><p>SMQ/NMQ seem VERY cliquey and anti-social to me. I have never met anyone from either dorm except one random kid in my frat. They have small rooms and they're small dorms. I don't know if you'd like them.</p></li>
<li><p>It's really not that big a deal for science kids to live South. Get some exercise and leave 15 minutes before classes start instead of 5! If that's really a dealbreaker for you, that's sad, but then you should live north.</p></li>
<li><p>There's a fine line between relatively quiet and socially dead. You should pick your priority and stick with it- studying in your room or being in a social dorm. If you want to study in your room, pref SMQ/NMQ. If you want to be social, pref Allison. If you really can't decide, pref Shepard. And Willard really isn't that socially isolated, it just has that rep. I think it is one of the most social dorms.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>SMQ/NMQ are somewhat cliquey and antisocial. I'm inclined to say NMQ more so than SMQ, but that's only because I know more people from SMQ, and they're pretty social people. I hate making generalizations about these two, because I'm certainly no authority, but dfleish is probably right that they shouldn't be your first or second choice. (although they're fine for 4 or 5!) I would recommend Shepard and then Allison or Willard. Willard people are very social, and some of the most active in campus activities.</p>