Not sure what the appropriate forum would be for the question, but I am looking for some dorm advice from current students or recent graduates.

My daughter starts next fall as Class of 2017, and would like to live on campus.

We have been looking at the University website, but it is a little opaque about the pros/cons of the different dorms.

She is going to be a Biology major. Basic preferences would be proximity -- not a long walk, and en-suite bathroom (not down the hall). She will have a car.

For the fellas, sorry -- no Rule#1!

Would appreciate any input.

Let me find some things I've written before and I'll PM them to you.

Thanks Scruffy!

Leonard Hall

doesn't matter what dorm she lives in, she'll be spending every night in Walton Hall

I used to be an RA on campus, although that was 7 years ago. campus has changed a bit since then.

a biology major will have classes throughout campus, so "proximity" isn't going to do much good, I'm afraid. half the classes are on main campus, half on west campus. the new tunnel under Wellborn road will help.

the two sides of campus have personalities of their own, Northside vs Southside. the personalities still exist, although Reslife is trying to homogenize on campus living as much as they can (not going to get into that discussion though). Northside is very redass, involved in campus life, involved in Bonfire, etc. Southside is going to be more Greek life and serious studiers, but you find both on both sides of campus.

I was a Southsider myself, in Underwood fish year as a resident and Krueger soph-senior year as an RA. Underwood is a modular dorm, not much personality, expensive, carpeted floors and in-room bathroom (only share with one person). I believe it is still all female. Krueger is a Commons dorm, middle of the pack in terms of cost, en-suite bathroom (share with 3 other people), I think all of Commons is coed now, and you don't have to go outside to get food or check mail (convenient when it's raining).

I would have transferred to FHK my senior except for a few circumstances, but it's my favorite of the Northside dorms. Coed by floor, doors open to outside (so you're subject to weather), en-suite bathrooms (share with 3 people), the staff was very laid back when I was there. great "dorm personality" I thought, plenty of Aggie Spirit. middle to low end in terms of cost.

I will second that FHK is the best on campus. However I may be biased since I spent 4 years as an RA there early last decade. I have met some of the staff there this year and it seems to still be a good place to be. Each dorm has a personality of its own, but general rule of thumb is that the different styles tend to be similar.

It really depends on what your daughter is looking for in campus life as to the best dorm for her. Not sure if the new northside dorm is going to be open for her fish year, but that might be a good one to look into. I'm assuming it will have learning communities incorporated into it which will give her the opportunity to live with/near people with the same major.

The major thing to remember is you get back what you put into campus life.

I'm graduating in May. Friends and I all lived in Rudder our first year. Quiet, all girls, own bathroom, big rooms, etc. Most expensive dorm type (modular), but bathroom was nice.

It has been a long time since I was in a dorm, but I'd recommend a co-ed modular-type dorm. A lot of parents of female students would balk at the idea of a co-ed dorm, but really I think these dorms are safer.

There's plenty of hanky panky in the single-sex dorms, so don't think there is more in the co-ed dorms (and it isn't like they are co-ed within a room in terms of room assignments). If anything, the co-ed dorms are safer because the guys in them tend to treat the girls like their sisters and are protective of them -- the guys are quick to kick out some drunk a-hole from another dorm if he is harassing any of the girls.

Thanks to everyone for the feedback so far.

She is definitely on the "redass" side -- football and yell practice -- not sorority.

She is making a list of the north side dorms.

I will second what nought said. When I was an RA, the coed dorms tended to have a lower incident rate compared to single sex dorms. Something about the girls being around caused the guys to act a little better and vice versa.

Please be patient with me, I've been busy today.

I will get back to you

It's been a LONG time since I was in school, so I'll go with my step-daughter's experience. She is class of '06.

She lived in the quad in Briggs her freshman year. Community bath (down the hall as you say), and the rooms are basic. They did get lofts and carpet.

Second year she lived in Rudder. As stated before, it's quiet, has private bathrooms, nicer amenities. But LAME.

She made more friends that first year with more dorm activities and community bath. You bump into hallmates more often.

In any dorm, if you get a roommate that doesn't work out/is strange/turns into a Breakaway Nazi or drunken sloot midstream, it can be miserable. But it seems to be easier to deal with in a dorm like Briggs or any other dorm that doesn't have private bath. More escape to other people if needed.

The new Northside dorm looks amazing. And if I was coming back to school, that is where I would go. Or anywhere on Northside.

Ah, the good old days when Walton was $365 a semester and was unairconditioned.

RCS is wise and has said some of what I will.

Scruffy is good people.

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doesn't matter what dorm she lives in, she'll be spending every night in Walton Hall

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Walton Hall? Wouldn't have ever been caught dating anyone from there back in the day!

Fake modesty.

Lived in Neeley my freshman year, it was the modular style dorm and I loved it! Northside was the place to be, quick access to the parking garage and Sibisa. It was a great year!!

Haas Honey reporting in.... But that was over a decade ago, and I was part of the Athletics contingency and disnt spend a whole lot of time in the dorm. That said, I loved modular style rooms. More space, only share bath with one person. Would have hated a balcony style dorm. They're like living in a Motel 6.... Loved being on Northside. The trek to all classes (both sides of Wellborn) was manageable.

Lived on Northside when I was there - sounds like not much has changed (besides more co-ed dorms). I LOVED davis gary. You get to know everyone because you have to leave your room to go to the bathroom. The showers were private with curtains and I never had a problem with privacy. Look into DG - she may like it.

I lived in Legett - highly recommend. Great location!

Legett is legit.

One G, two Ts, spell it right, damn it! Different doors for different floors, basement rooms and cave rooms...definitely unique!

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doesn't matter what dorm she lives in, she'll be spending every night in Walton Hall

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Walton Hall? Wouldn't have ever been caught dating anyone from there back in the day!

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I wouldn't call it "dating"