Guide to UC Irvine's Dorms
Starting out as a freshman, figuring out which dorm to live in can be a daunting and challenging task. Although UC Irvine does not require students to stay in the dorms in their first year, it is highly recommended and helps students become more acclimated to the new environment and transitioning period of a huge stepping stone in one's life. At UC Irvine, students can choose from a few dorm options. All are excellent choices, but deciding which one may fit you best can be a bit difficult.
At UC Irvine, the dorms have two distinct locations on campus, one is within and near the circle of campus, named Middle Earth, whereas the other is located near the top corner of campus which is named, Mesa. Both areas have pros and cons but here is a breakdown of the dorms at UC Irvine.
Mesa Court Towers
Located in the top corner of campus, the Mesa Court Towers is one of the newer and more modern dorms. It comes with clean kitchens, laundry rooms, and communal lounging spaces where students can relax and study. The towers also have easy access to one of UC Irvine's dining halls, the Anteatery, which is in the center and has many great options throughout the day. There are communal bathrooms for each quad meaning you will be sharing with other students, and the towers also have an elevator for students who have trouble climbing the flight of stairs to the very top floor.
The social atmosphere is very social, depending on the tower and floor, it can be easy to familiarize yourself with others but it can be busy and loud with students studying outside or just hanging out in the halls at night. Furthermore, the towers have their own small gym which makes it easier for students to get a workout in without having to take the shuttle or walk to the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) which is a mile out.
Mesa Court Classics
Also located in the top corner of campus, the Mesa Court Classics is the neighboring housing of the towers. The classics are a bit more older but do offer similar complementary housing needs like a laundry room, kitchen, and communal lounging spaces as well as some have pool tables and ping pong tables for leisure activities. You also share bathrooms with the people on your floor and the rooms can be a bit more on the older side. The Mesa Court Classics are also a walk away from the Anteatery and has a nearby parking lot which can be helpful for students who want to bring a car and park.
Middle Earth Towers
The Middle Earth Towers are located near the circle of campus, making it a more convenient spot for students who are in the School of Engineering, Business, and Social Sciences. It is also UC Irvine's newest dorm and offers laundry rooms, kitchens, and a communal lounging and study space for students. There are communal bathrooms that you will have to share as well as an elevator to go to different floors to meet people and friends. Living in the Middle Earth Towers also grants you the convenience of having the other dining hall located right beneath the towers called, Brandywine. This dining hall also has great options and offers different menu items than the other dining hall (Anteatery), and at times Brandywine can get quite busy throughout the day due to the convenience it has with the location of it on campus.
The social atmosphere is quite social but not as social as compared to Mesa, as Middle Earth Towers are more known to house the STEM majors in which most of the students can be seen studying and working on their assignments within the study and lounging spaces. It also has a small fitness center where students can also workout.With where this dorm is located, it allows students easy access to their classes as well as other locations like the library and Aldrich Park.
Middle Earth Classics
The Middle Earth Classics are located near the towers, however, this housing option is a bit older. It comes with a communal kitchen, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and lounging and studying spaces for students. They are also located near the parking lot structure making it easy for students to also park if they plan on bringing a car to school. With its location being close to campus it also makes it easier for students to get to classes and is still close to the Brandywine dining hall. The social aspect is also quite similar to the Middle Earth Towers and is a bit more on the quieter side.
