Warren Towers is the quintessential freshman dorm at BU, offering a social atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to make friends. The location is incredibly convenient, right in the heart of campus, making it a short walk to most classes. The building provides a dining hall, laundry facilities, and study spaces, all within reach. While the rooms may be small and outdated, the sense of community and proximity to campus amenities make up for it. The communal bathrooms and occasional maintenance issues are drawbacks, but the lively atmosphere and central location make Warren Towers a top choice for freshmen looking for an authentic college experience.

Pentland Hills offers a unique dorm experience with private bathrooms shared among a small number of hallmates, ensuring a higher level of cleanliness and privacy. The dorm's suite-style layout fosters a more secluded environment, making it ideal for students who prefer a quieter living space. Residents appreciate the cozy and social lounge areas equipped with kitchen amenities, promoting interaction among peers. While some find the rooms to be on the smaller side, the community spirit and well-maintained facilities enhance the overall living experience. With convenient access to dining halls and campus buildings, Pentland Hills provides a balance between social engagement and personal space, creating a comfortable transition for incoming students.

East Lothian is a highly recommended dorm on campus, favored for its spacious and well-maintained rooms. With four floors including halls D, E, and F, this dorm offers both elevators and staircases. The rooms feature built-in closets, ample storage space, and customizable amenities like adjustable thermostats. The dorm's proximity to the Lothian Dining Hall, Starbucks, and the Orbach Library adds to its convenience. Residents appreciate the controlled AC, communal study and recreational rooms, and relatively clean bathrooms. Despite being a bit far from the main campus, East Lothian remains a popular choice for its comfortable and cozy vibes, making it a great option for students seeking a balance between study and social life.

Bay State Road Brownstones offer a mix of old charm and modern amenities, making it a popular choice among students. With renovated and older brownstones available, students appreciate the unique living conditions each building offers. The dorm's prime location near dining halls, classrooms, and public transportation is a major highlight. Students love the spacious rooms, private bathrooms, and communal kitchens that foster a sense of community living. The availability of individual washing machines, lounges, and proximity to the mailroom add to the convenience. While some residents face issues like outdated bathrooms, lack of air conditioning, or occasional pests, many praise the overall cozy and comfortable living environment. The dorm's proximity to various campus buildings, quiet surroundings, and proximity to essential facilities like dining halls and transportation make it a sought-after residence for undergraduate students.

South Campus Apartments offer a diverse range of living experiences as reflected in student reviews. Situated in a prime location close to central campus, multiple T lines, and popular stores like Whole Foods and Target, the dorms provide convenience and a neighborhood vibe. While some students appreciate the spacious rooms and privacy, others mention the challenges of old buildings, such as heating issues, rodents, and outdated facilities. Residents enjoy the freedom of apartment-style living with access to kitchens and private bathrooms, although maintenance and cleanliness vary. The overall appeal lies in the balance between independence and proximity to campus amenities, making South Campus Apartments a desirable choice for those seeking a mix of city living and collegiate atmosphere.

Dundee dormitory at Riverside is a modern and new residence hall that offers a hotel-like experience to its students. The rooms are well-maintained with a good amount of space, although storage can be limited for some. Despite the small size, the bathrooms are a standout feature, known for their cleanliness and modern design. The dorm is equipped with top-notch facilities such as study rooms on every floor, a gym, and a water filling station nearby. While some students find the dorm less social than others, the amenities like AC control, laundry rooms, and proximity to the dining hall make it a desirable choice. However, there are occasional issues with bathroom cleanliness and maintenance, as well as noise disturbances in certain areas of the building. Overall, Dundee offers a comfortable and convenient living space for students at Riverside, standing out as one of the best residences on campus.

East Village is a highly sought-after freshman dorm known for its modern amenities and prime location. Students rave about the air-conditioned rooms, semi-private bathrooms shared with only a few suitemates, and the beautiful views from the upper floors. The building boasts suite-style living arrangements with spacious common areas for socializing and studying. While the dorm is praised for its cleanliness and convenient facilities like laundry rooms on multiple floors, some students mention minor inconveniences such as long waits for elevators during peak times. Overall, East Village stands out for its comfortable living spaces, central air conditioning, and a vibrant community perfect for incoming freshmen looking for a top-notch college dorm experience.

Myles Standish Hall is a highly recommended dorm for upperclassmen at Boston University. Renovated and modern, it offers spacious rooms with big windows, vibrant natural light, and individual climate control. The building is well-maintained, has a convenient laundry room, and various study spaces for quiet work. While some rooms may vary in size, students appreciate the cleanliness, lack of pest issues, and the availability of AC. The location is ideal for access to the city, though a bit far from central campus. Myles Standish Hall is praised for its suite-style living, private bathrooms, and the proximity to Kenmore T stop and Questrom School of Business. Despite the lack of common rooms in suites, the dorm features communal areas for gatherings, study lounges, and a game room. Students enjoy the convenience of having a kitchen in the building, mail services, and easy access to public transportation. If you prioritize a quiet, comfortable living environment with numerous amenities, Myles Standish Hall is the perfect choice.

International Village, commonly referred to as IV, is a contemporary dormitory located at Northeastern University, offering students a mix of positive and negative experiences. Reviews highlight the variety of room options, from singles to forced doubles, each with its own unique characteristics. While some students appreciated the modern facilities, spacious bathrooms, and proximity to amenities like the dining hall and gym, others found the location inconvenient for getting around campus. The building boasts clean and well-maintained common areas, ample study spaces, and impressive views of the city from higher floors. However, issues such as thin walls, slow elevators, and occasional noise disturbances were also mentioned. Overall, IV's design provides a sense of personal space and comfort for residents, making it a popular choice, especially for freshmen.

Aberdeen-Inverness, the oldest dorm on campus, is known for its central location near the gym and dining hall, providing convenience for students. While some residents appreciate the social atmosphere and spacious rooms in comparison to other dorms, there are mixed reviews about the outdated facilities and cleanliness. The communal bathrooms can be a point of contention, as they tend to get messy and may require shared responsibility for upkeep. Despite the older building and cramped living quarters in triple rooms, many students found the experience at Aberdeen-Inverness to be memorable due to the opportunities for socializing and making new friends. Additionally, the dorm offers proximity to campus, making it an attractive choice for those looking for convenience and a vibrant community atmosphere.

Mesa Court offers a variety of housing options, from the newer three-story buildings like Aldea to the original classics and towers. The community fosters a tight-knit, communal atmosphere with social activities and shared spaces like courtyards, volleyball nets, fitness rooms, and recreational areas. While some residents praised the cleanliness of the bathrooms and common areas, others expressed concerns about occasional maintenance issues like broken elevators. Many students enjoyed the spaciousness of quad rooms in towers like Playa, despite the lack of air conditioning. Proximity to campus, laundry facilities, and well-maintained kitchens were highlighted as positives, along with the social opportunities within the dorm. However, some residents felt that the noise levels, bathroom cleanliness, and distance from certain campus locations were downsides to consider. Overall, Mesa Court provides a vibrant living experience with a mix of amenities and challenges that contribute to a memorable first-year housing experience.

West Lothian dormitory at UCR is a mixed bag, offering both positive and negative aspects according to student reviews. The dorm provides spacious storage under the beds and ample closet space, though the beds are quite high. It boasts communal areas like a dining hall, Starbucks nearby, piano and meditation rooms, and a courtyard. However, the thin walls and doors can be a drawback, and students have no control over the thermostat. The location is convenient for accessing campus facilities but may have Wi-Fi issues for those living farther from the floor. The social atmosphere is a highlight, making it easy to forge friendships. On the downside, the outdated facilities and lack of temperature control can be inconvenient. The communal bathrooms can also be a concern if hygiene standards are not maintained. Overall, West Lothian offers a lively environment with proximity to dining options and study spaces, but its age and maintenance issues may deter some residents.

Boston University (BU) is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts.

BU dorms come in a few different styles: large traditional-style, small-traditional style, and apartment-style; then there is Student Village and Fenway campus. Most commonly, first-year students choose between Warren Towers and West Campus. They're best for first-years for the social aspect and the in-building dining hall. Second-years usually move on to brownstones or the other traditional-style dorms like Hojo or Myles Standish. Many upperclassmen stay in apartment style dorms or StuVi for the kitchen.

Northeastern University (NEU) is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts.

At Northeastern, there are a variety of different housing accommodations for students. Most first years live at traditional/suite-style type apartments. As a second year, most students live in apartment style accommodations such as the West Villages, or Davenport Commons A/B. These apartments are much more spacious and typically have common rooms and a kitchen. Upperclassmen who live on campus will have the options of choosing from various leased properties which are apart of apartment style accommodations.

The University of California, Riverside (UCR) is a public research university in Riverside, California.

There are 4 dorms that are available to freshmen: Aberdeen-Inverness (AI), Dundee, Pentland Hills, and Lothian (East and West). Lothian and AI are your typical dorms, Pentland is a suite-style, and Dundee is similar to a hotel. Dundee and Lothian have their own dining halls which is a plus. Glen Mor and North District are popular on-campus apartment options for second-years and up. Falkirk, The Plaza, and Bannockburn are relatively inexpensive apartments but do not come with furniture. Stonehaven is a gated community.

Cornell University is an Ivy League research institution located in Ithaca, New York.

Cornell dorms are different based on the building. Most have a suite-style dorm set-up. First-year students are required to live on North Campus and aren’t able to pick their dorm room unless they apply to a program house. This is done to create a sense of community among the first years. Second-year students are also required to live on campus but are able to choose between North Campus, West Campus, and South Campus. This offers a wider choice of dorm room experience. Most upperclassmen live off campus but those who choose to remain on campus may apply to live in program houses, co-op houses, or live in certain buildings with allocated spaces for upperclassmen. Program houses are open for all, from first-years through seniors.

The University of Southern California (also known as USC, SC, Southern Cal or SoCal) is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States.

Among students, housing in USC Village is the most desirable because the dorms are above Target, Trader Joe’s, CAVA, and more restaurants. McCarthy Honors is a great dorm if you’re able to get a merit scholarship. Parkside is nicknamed “Parkside Darkside” because it’s on the quieter side and students typically settle down early in the night, so if you’re looking for a more social dorm with party life, aim to live at New North instead. Birnkrant is also a great option for a social life without as much partying as New North.

The University of California, Los Angeles, is a public research university in Los Angeles, California.

UCLA offers 4 years of guaranteed housing to its undergraduates. On campus housing consists of dorms in an area called “The Hill”, and come with a meal plan for the dining halls and restaurants there. Off-campus housing consists of University owned apartments, open to students after completing one year. They are further from campus and do not include a meal plan, but are generally larger in space than the dorms.

The University of Connecticut, commonly known as UConn, is a public research university located in Storrs, Connecticut.

UConn has a high percentage of students living on campus. They offer residence halls, suites, and apartments that come with a range of features. Each room has essential furniture, and students can enjoy amenities such as free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and game and study rooms. To learn more about on-campus housing, visit reslife.uconn.edu.

The University of California, Berkeley is a public research university located in Berkeley, California.

Although each location is unique, all Berkeley residence halls include live-in staff, community centers, on-site laundry, easy transportation access, and much more. 

The south campus residence halls are conveniently located two blocks from the south side of campus and are traditionally residential halls in the urban heart of Berkeley. 

The northeast campus residence halls are located on the quieter northeastern side of campus, nested within the Berkeley hills. 

The Southeast Campus Residence Hall is Clark Kerr, a mini-neighborhood in a residential area six blocks southeast of the main campus. This is the farthest residential hall from campus. 

UC Berkeley also offers apartment housing options, conveniently located a few blocks south side of campus. However, undergraduate apartments are only available to transfer or continuing students, not first-year students.

NYU, or New York University, is a private research university located in New York City, United States.

Living on campus is not mandatory, except for students studying away at NYU-NYC from NYU-Shanghai or NYU-Abu Dhabi. The majority of the rooms available for students are shared, with less than 3% being private. Tandon first year residents are assigned to Brooklyn residence halls, while Manhattan-based school first year residents are assigned to Manhattan residence halls with no exceptions.  

NYU dorms come in a few different styles: triple in unit or studio, double in unit and double in studio, with or without kitchen inside depends on the building. NYU also offers lower cost options for students, such as 3 people living in a double. On-campus living is not a requirement but most commonly first-year students would choose to live in dorms.

UC San Diego is a public research university located in San Diego, California.

Revelle College houses first-year students in eight multistory buildings offering double and triple rooms, with limited single room availability. Muir College is located on the west side of campus and has high-rise residence halls with double and triple rooms, and some singles. Thurgood Marshall College offers suite-style residence halls for first-year students, with single and double rooms. Eleanor Roosevelt College has primarily double and triple rooms for first-year students, with some singles available in apartments. Sixth College's new North Torrey Pines Living Learning Neighborhood has double and triple rooms for first-year students, with some singles. Earl Warren College features suites with double and single rooms overlooking the UCSD Ecological Reserve, and some first-year students are housed in apartments. Seventh College is a new community that offers modern apartments with triple and double rooms, and some singles. The Village is a community of apartments and residence halls for transfer students, with double and triple rooms and limited singles.

Michigan State University is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan.

North Neighborhood boasts classic architecture with unique art installations, while Brody Neighborhood is situated on the west side of campus with six residence halls surrounding the central Brody Hall. For more independent students, University Village and 1855 Place offer apartments and townhouses with on-site amenities. River Trail Neighborhood provides picturesque views of the Red Cedar River and convenient access to academic buildings, while East Neighborhood is located on the northeast side of campus. South Neighborhood is located southwest of Spartan Stadium and features four residence halls with coed floors and suite-style rooms.

UC Davis is a public research university located in Davis, California.

Student Housing manages 30+ residence halls in Segundo, Tercero, and Cuarto areas on the west side of the central campus. Segundo has 14 buildings, the Segundo Services Center, and the Segundo Dining Commons, housing 1,600 students. Tercero has 15 halls, Olive Hall, Tercero Services Center, and accommodates 3,500 students. Cuarto has three halls and the Cuarto Dining Commons and is home to around 1,400 students.

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