Sabine Strohem ([info]ohprettypetals) wrote in [info]vassar,
2008-06-25 20:35:00
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Can you help me choose a dorm?

Hi everyone :)

I'm a 2012er and I've been given the opportunity to choose my dorm. I was hoping you all could help me out a bit.

I know stereotypes aren't accurate, but I'm looking for a "family" dorm where people are really inclusive and friendly with one another (the kind of atmosphere where's its not akward to say hi to or hang out with people you don't know). Davison had that rep but since it's closed for renovations i'm looking for the next best thing.

I'm not a partier at all so Lathrop is off the list and possibly Raymond b/c i've read that its becoming a party dorm (though I really love love love Raymond for the Twin Peaks/Battlestar Galactica thing happening in the MPR last year).

During my overnight I stayed with freshmen in Strong and both my hosts were moving to another dorm because they felt it was a bit unfriendly and cliquey so thats also off the list.

I'm considering Cushing, Main, and Joss. I've read that people in Main are mostly friends with their floormates b/c its so big and there's little unity. I've also read similar things about Joss. So I guess that puts Cushing in the forefront based on my preferences, but I don't know much about Cushing.

Could you guys help me out by telling me your impressions of the dorms or maybe correcting some of my incorrect assumptions? Is there really a "friendliest" dorm? Thanks!

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[info]kkatie

June 26 2008, 00:49:05 UTC 3 years ago

RAYMOND!
I really don't know where you heard it is party dorm? But anyway, I'm on the House Team for 08-09, and it's going to be wonderful. Our motto this year was literally, "keep it in the family". I had such a great experience...I didn't know what I was getting in to at the beginning of the year, but once I got settled it I realized that there was nowhere else I'd rather be.

I'd say Cushing and Jewett are more party-centric? Besides Lathrop, of course.

Seriously though, a large portion of Davisonites(?) are moving to Raymond in the fall because we are probably the most similar. If you're looking for a Davison-y atmosphere Raymond is the next best thing. :)

My email is kainterlichia@vassar.edu if you have any other questions!

[info]chelsearar

June 26 2008, 01:58:36 UTC 3 years ago

I love Main <33 three years here, and it's been wonderful.
Cushing is a nice cushy place too.

I don't think there's a friendliest dorm, or even a party dorm. Just because the Princeton Review book says Lathrop is huge for parties doesn't mean it actually is. I think most of the dorms are the same as far as tone and whatever goes... but it really depends on the hall and, for you, who is in your fellow group!

if you don't mind my asking, why do you get to choose?

and if you have any further questions about anything -- ask me here, in my LJ or email me -- chdahl@vassar.edu

oh and welcome to Vassar :]

[info]ohprettypetals

June 26 2008, 03:28:42 UTC 3 years ago

There was a second life meet-up yesterday for 2012ers on the top of Vassar Castle. Rich Horowitz (Gandolf Twine) released two snitches and the two people who caught the snitch the 10th time got to choose their dorm (we did it again tonight). Also on the Vassar Sorting Hat group, 3 people are chosen at random and get the opportunity to choose their house. I think a total of 7 of us are going to get to choose.

Thanks so much for the help :) I really appreciate it ♥

Anonymous

3 years ago

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3 years ago

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[info]cowboycadenza

June 26 2008, 02:16:48 UTC 3 years ago

What dorm you're in matters very little, honestly, since it's highly dependent on who else gets place there. There's absolutely no way to know where all the other outgoing, social freshmen are going to be, so it's all a gamble. Honestly, for me the most important part would be location and/or quality of the dorms. Joss has really fucking nice bathrooms and Main is nice for location, obviously. Honestly, I'm not sure how much truth there is to say there's little unity in either location; it's all up to you getting to know people there yourself. Cushing is a little too secluded for me. You're going to be making friends with people in other dorms as well, so it can be nice to live on the quad.

I wouldn't put too much stock in all the rumors you heard about all these dorms; everyone has their own perceptions. Also, I'm not sure why, but you seem to have forgotten to include Jewett and Noyes in your list. Everyone I know from those two dorms seem to love it, and have close bonds with their dorm mates.

[info]mystitat

June 26 2008, 02:18:39 UTC 3 years ago

As a Davison refugee who will be living in Raymond next year, I second the there-will-be-lots-of-Davison-people-in-Raymond next year. Raymond shall be good, I believe. Cushing feels far away from everything except the ACDC. Noyes has huge doubles and nice furniture, though; don't discount it. Main is the most convenient dorm.

And yeah, why do you get to pick your dorm? None of us ever did.

[info]mekh

June 26 2008, 02:43:48 UTC 3 years ago

See if they'll let you into Ferry Haus.

[info]pirategail

June 26 2008, 06:43:26 UTC 3 years ago

You can only apply to Ferry as a second semester Freshman, not a first semester Freshman.
Otherwise, you (the poster) could totally apply.

[info]annapt

June 26 2008, 02:53:03 UTC 3 years ago

What about Noyes?! I lived in Noyes for three years and I loved it. The freshman doubles are by far the biggest, and I've heard that they aren't making any of them into triples next year (which certainly will be happening in the other dorms).

You really will love wherever you end up. I felt kind of sad about being in Noyes when I got my assignment, but as soon as I moved in I loved it. I think it really varies more by what hall you're on and what those people are like than by which dorm you're in - I lived on really friendly, family-like halls in Noyes but I definitely saw halls where people were much less friendly. Don't worry too much about it! Especially with all the construction and moving people around, the dorms change their character every year.

[info]saturdaymay13th

June 26 2008, 03:00:57 UTC 3 years ago

One of my best friends lives in Cushing, and I visit her a lot at Vassar. Everyone in Cushing seems pretty friendley with each other and they ALL know each other it seems. The doors are open to anyone, everyone parties together, etc.

[info]saturdaymay13th

June 26 2008, 03:03:30 UTC 3 years ago

BTW, the rooms in Noyes are huge, and the lounge has some pretty sweet furniture.

[info]wackyxaky

June 26 2008, 05:08:40 UTC 3 years ago

but it is deceptively uncomfortable! Still cool to sit at the depressed round couch though

[info]ncarraway

June 26 2008, 03:03:52 UTC 3 years ago

I used to live in Davison, and in the new diaspora, a bunch of my favorite people are moving to Raymond. I've spent a lot of time there, too, and it did not strike me as a place for crazy parties but as a place for friendly people, if maybe a notch below Davison. That said, I'm moving to Cushing because it's in the "Scottish keep" section of campus (by which I mean it's next to Blodgett, my favorite place). Raymond is a great place, but if you pick Cushing, drop me a line next year and I'll help you get settled in.

[info]funkybeccabecca

June 26 2008, 03:09:56 UTC 3 years ago

raymond


and the dorm doesnt matter. its the people you get randomly placed next to.


but raymond is best.
=D



[info]octoberair11

June 26 2008, 03:21:49 UTC 3 years ago

To me people in Cushing seem pretty tight knit. It's a little far out of the way from everything else, though. Joss is the same way, but they have bigger rooms and new bathrooms.
Honestly I think it just boils down to who you're living with and how well you get along with those specific people. No matter where you live you're likely to find your group of friends who will become like family.

Personally I live(d) in Noyes, so I can tell you the upsides to that. The doubles are big and have a wardrobe down the middle (so you have your own space if needed- but many people move that out of the way). It was also renovated last summer so everything's brand new. It doesn't have the best reputation on campus but people that end up there are so so happy. So you should keep it in the running if you haven't thought about it yet.

[info]silence_speaks

June 26 2008, 04:50:00 UTC 3 years ago

like most people above said, it's not about which dorm, just about the somewhat random people you happen to be near.

I lived in Lathrop for 3 years which I didn't mind at all, though I know you didn't really list it in your top choices. i wouldn't say it's less family like than other places. yeah there were plenty of parties but people were pretty chill and friendly. Most of my close friends were in Raymond though and I would definitely recommend it. they have a good vibe going on that i think would live up to "family" dorm status and i have heard of plenty of Davison people moving there. I've never really heard it referred to as a "party dorm." but really, every dorm has parties. and every dorm has friendly people who leave their doors open and say hello. chances are you'll be happy wherever you end up.

oh also, living on the Quad is awesome in general.

[info]ballerinadork46

June 26 2008, 07:36:51 UTC 3 years ago

My friend from high school who is coming to Vassar next year called me today to ask the same question... haha. Anyway, I lived in Joss this past year (as a freshman), and I liked the size of the rooms and the GORGEOUS bathrooms, but I wasn't really crazy about a lot of the people in the dorm. I'm living off-campus next year. I'm not really as attached to the whole "dorm is family" thing as other people are, probably because I didn't like Joss and I only had a few people that I was really close to in the dorm.

I think the whole "Cushing is friendly" thing seems to stand up from what I've heard. Some of my close friends live in Main and they all really like it.

No matter if you end up liking your dorm or not, you'll find people you like. I barely spent any time in Joss by the end of the year and I almost liked it better that way - it's nice having a place to go home to (and not having that place be six rooms away from where you hang out). I wouldn't worry TOO much.

[info]abbz38

June 26 2008, 10:58:52 UTC 3 years ago

Raymond would definitely be the way to go. I was on the house team 07-08 and it was amazing. Living in Raymond has been one of the best parts of my entire college experience. The house team next year is going to be spectacular. It is an incredibly friendly house, we have an awesome House Advisor, and are well located right next to the library. Also, everyone on campus agrees that we have the best scarves. Come to Raymond and Keep it in the Family!

[info]tinydundie42

June 26 2008, 13:10:39 UTC 3 years ago

My freshman year I lived in Cushing and after that I moved to Main. I personally found many more friendly neighbors in Main, and I loved that you didn't have to leave the building to get food if it was raining or snowing. Main's great if you like to be cozy (or lazy)! I also like Strong. A lot of my friends lived there and everyone always seemed pretty friendly to me- plus, they had really clean bathrooms! That's always nice.

Anonymous

June 26 2008, 14:08:42 UTC 3 years ago

I don't mean to be a downer or anything, but I think the whole "family dorm" concept is kind of untrue. Sure, that may be a dorm's reputation, but it really depends on the people living in it with you. Your experiences will be based more on your fellow group and the upperclassmen on your hallway rather than what some people seem to think your dorm is likee. I lived in Joss my freshman year, and when I asked on this here LJ what Joss is like, everyone said it was awesome and inclusive, and that's not what I got out of my experience at all. I think to pick a dorm based on its reputation might be a little risky for you. If I were you, I'd pick a dorm based on location/amenities. Joss has wonderful bathrooms and big freshman rooms, but its upperclassmen rooms suck. The quad dorms are pretty standard. Jewett's new but the rooms are teeny. Okay, you can hear that kind of advice anywhere.

I'd suggest asking Rich Horowitz for a specific room (he might give it to you). There are two-room triples in Main, Joss, and Cushing; maybe you could live in one of those. There's also a freshman double in Main w/ a bathroom.

[info]dogeeseseegod

June 26 2008, 15:14:06 UTC 3 years ago

if you really want a family-style of living, pick whatever dorm is most convenient for first semester, see how it goes, and if you're unsatisfied, then apply to ferry haus for second semester. 20 people living together cooperatively, cooking and eating together every night. pretty sweet.

[info]susiedotwo

June 26 2008, 16:32:11 UTC 3 years ago

I have to say this;

You'll get put where you get put, and they'll probably ignore your request unless you have a note from a doctor specifying what kind of living situation you need.

that said, Ferry haus is a nice option, but every single person who is unhappy with dorm life won't be able to move in (just ask everyone who makes its waitlist). I'd give off campus living a good thought, get a group of friends who you think you could live with and try that, especially with the housing crunch they're going through.

anyway.

Anonymous

June 26 2008, 19:25:39 UTC 3 years ago

she won a contest...she gets to pick

[info]tiny_little_dot

June 26 2008, 18:16:33 UTC 3 years ago

Okay I have to add my piece about Noyes as well. I think you really should consider it. I never actually lived there, but it was like my secondary dorm. I slept in a lot of friends' rooms and there was a lot of good times and hanging out in the halls/people's rooms/Jetson/the TV rooms. It was all great great great.

It definitely had a family feel to me. And I even went to some of the study breaks, even though it wasn't actually my dorm. Granted, pretty much none of the people I knew when I "lived" there are still around, so I don't know if the dynamic is the same, but it was great.

I have a soft spot in my heart for Noyes.

[info]annapt

June 26 2008, 20:13:08 UTC 3 years ago

I'm glad you spent lots of time in Noyes. Otherwise I never would have met you! (Probably because I never left Noyes while I lived there)

[info]onepant

June 26 2008, 21:44:57 UTC 3 years ago

in my opinion, you're probably going to change. so what you want now might not be what you're going to want later. or maybe what you get won't be what you want but you'll end up loving it anyway.

seriously, they're pretty much all the same. and they change all the time anyway from year to year just based on who's moving in and out. if any trends develop it's probably just due to the layout/location. in which case i think main and lathrop are the best. lathrop because it's got a pretty decent location (close to the dc and not too far from main) and main because it's main.

i'm not even sure that you can request as a freshman though?

[info]onepant

June 26 2008, 21:47:50 UTC 3 years ago

oh you won some fancy new contest. well. honestly. best advice: pick based on location or which ever one you think has the nicest rooms (probably main) because there's no way you could have enough information to choose based on people. it's not like certain personality types are segregated into different dorms anyway.

Anonymous

June 27 2008, 01:36:49 UTC 3 years ago

I just can't imagine a scenario in which you don't pick Main. The rooms are great and the location is perfect (and unbeatable). Basing your judgment on the kind of people who might live in your dorm is hard to justify.

And if you really don't like it, you'd have no problem switching out because everybody wants to move to Main.

[info]radaya

June 27 2008, 02:06:14 UTC 3 years ago

i'll add my two cents:

i loved joss. loved it. i had fantastic rooms, great hallmates, and the bathrooms got renovated so now they look like turkish baths with sexy black stall. it's really pretty. it's far from stuff, but that's nice in a lot of ways because it's always quiet. none of the noise from the quad filters over.

if i hadn't lived in joss for 3 years, i would've lived in cushing. it has a similar cozy feel, nice sized rooms, and the people i know who are living there next year are really fantastic. i spent a lot of this past year hanging out with cushing people and i liked all of them. it also has the nice isolation thing going on so it's generally quiet at night.

so if i were you i'd go with joss or cushing.

[info]stupidityinone

June 29 2008, 20:11:36 UTC 3 years ago

raymond!!
sure there are parties sometimes but those can be avoided and there'll be parties in other dorms too.
raymond is definitely the homiest... people leave their doors open, they hang out in the hallways... etc.

[info]aredhelartanis

July 1 2008, 04:16:31 UTC 3 years ago

It really doesn't matter what dorm you end up in, your friends will be the people you live with. I've lived happily in Lathrop for two years now, and its all the family I need. You say you are looking at Cushing, but it is just as full of parties as Lathrop--that is just part of college life. If you are looking for a "family" dorm, your best bet is a smaller one, where you can actually meet most of the people you live with, which sort of rules out Main and Jewett. As for the rest, there is no way to know who you will end up living with, which is the important thing, so you might as well choose based on bathrooms or architecture as anything else.

Anonymous

September 1 2008, 15:37:54 UTC 3 years ago

It's sad that no one likes Strong. I lived there for 3 years. The good! Clean and quiet. Doesn't smell funky. The bad: Yes, it's true. We were an unfriendly lot. Sigh.
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