Balch Hall offers a unique living experience for students on campus. The dorm boasts big rooms, some with personal sinks or shared sink rooms, perfect for convenience. The location is prime, with easy access to bus stops and close proximity to campus facilities. The dorm's quiet environment is ideal for studying, but can also be isolating for those seeking a more social atmosphere. While the building is old and lacks AC, the spacious rooms and amenities like study lounges and Carol's Cafe add charm. However, issues like thin walls, bug infestations, and outdated facilities have been noted. Overall, Balch Hall provides a mix of pros and cons, making it a choice for students looking for a quieter, more independent living environment.

Carl Becker House is a modern dorm on West Campus that offers individually controlled air conditioning in each room, a feature that is unique to this dorm on the western side. The facilities are well-maintained, with amenities including a dining hall, library, TV/movie room, music room, and multiple study rooms. The rooms vary in size, with doubles in suites being notably spacious, while hallway singles are smaller. The community aspect receives mixed reviews, as many residents are part of existing friend groups or transfer students. Despite this, the dorm offers programming and engagement opportunities, aiming to foster a sense of community. The building has a lively dining hall with an engaged chef and supportive house professors. The air conditioning and cleanliness are top-notch, but the dorm has thin walls. Located in a less convenient area due to its elevation, residents often rely on transportation to access central areas of campus. Despite minor complaints about noise and community cohesiveness, Carl Becker House is praised for its modern facilities and vibrant communal spaces.

Cascadilla Hall is a historical dormitory located right in the heart of Collegetown, offering an excellent location for students, especially those in engineering disciplines, due to its proximity to the engineering quad. Built in 1864, the building has undergone renovations to provide modern amenities while maintaining its historical charm. While the rooms vary in size, larger doubles, particularly corner rooms with excellent lighting and alcoves, are available. Students enjoy the spacious kitchens and appreciate that each room offers unique features like high ceilings or alcoves for storage or changing. However, the shared bathrooms are a common area of concern for cleanliness. The dorm's location next to Cascadilla Gorge provides a scenic environment, although proximity to nightlife and parking can result in noise issues. Students highlight the building’s social environment, particularly on the third and fourth floors, which predominantly house transfer students. Despite some drawbacks, such as the lack of air-conditioning in personal rooms, Cascadilla Hall remains a recommended choice for its locale and vibrant community atmosphere.

Clara Dickson Hall, located in the heart of North campus at Cornell University, offers a mixed experience for its residents. The dorm boasts a convenient location and spacious rooms, with singles being the primary accommodation option. Students appreciate the ample closet space and the ability to personalize their rooms. The building, one of the oldest on campus, lacks modern amenities like air conditioning, and heating can be unreliable at times. Issues with the bathrooms, including occasional cleanliness and hot water shortages, have been noted. While the community is described as talkative and friendly, making friends may require effort due to the large number of singles. Security concerns have been raised, as some residents reported theft due to lax locking practices. Overall, Clara Dickson Hall provides a unique dorm experience, ideal for introverts seeking privacy and space, but may not suit everyone's preferences.

Court-Kay-Bauer Hall (CKB) is frequently hailed as one of the most exceptional dorms on North Campus, offering students a modern, comfortable, and well-designed living experience. The dorm is renowned for its excellent location, being the closest to central campus aside from Balch, and provides easy access to dining halls and other essential facilities. It features a unique "pod" layout where each floor accommodates around 30 students and is divided into six pods. Each pod contains two double rooms and a single room, all centered around a shared bathroom used by about five students, ensuring a clean and private space for residents. CKB stands out for its air conditioning and air filtration system, creating a noticeably fresher living environment. The dorm is equipped with spacious lounges and study rooms on every floor, making it a conducive space for socializing and studying. While the walls are noted to be thin, leading to potential noise issues, CKB's modern facilities, including a sky bridge and kitchen spaces, compensate for this minor downside. Overall, Court-Kay-Bauer Hall is a favorite, described as both clean and comfortable, ideal for fostering connections, and offering a balanced college dorm experience.

HILC, despite its appealing community atmosphere, presents a mixed living experience. Located conveniently close to RPCC and central campus, with nearby bus stops, it's ideal for accessing food and campus services, albeit a bit removed from other campus areas. Residents appreciate the community dynamic, enriched by game and karaoke nights, free snacks, and an active dorm council. However, the building shows its age with issues like uncontrollable heaters, old carpets, and a consistent need for maintenance. The layout is initially confusing and being a low rise, it lacks air conditioning, making the two hottest weeks of the year uncomfortable. Many residents find triples cramped, yet the upper units’ high ceilings offer some relief. The shared suite bathrooms provide better privacy compared to communal alternatives. The lounge is a social hub, although its cleanliness varies. HILC hosts a diverse population, including international students, forming a unique blend that can either enrich or complicate student experiences depending on individual dynamics.

Hands Bethe House is heralded by students as the best dorm on West campus, thanks to its prime location and excellent facilities. Proximity to Jansens/Arts quad and necessity spots like laundry and study areas makes it exceptionally convenient. The dorm features spacious suite-style living, with 5 to 6-person suites offering privacy and ample personal space due to separated toilet, shower, and sink areas. The rooms are decently sized with good lighting, and singles are particularly noted for their size and amenities, albeit with thin walls. The dining hall, located within the building, is a standout feature for its quality and welcoming staff, although the trek up the slope for classes is a common complaint. The climate-controlled environment and new, clean infrastructure make for a comfortable living experience, complemented by excellent common areas and opportunities for socialization. Hands Bethe House is a vibrant and inviting living option with some minor drawbacks regarding location and transport links.

High Rise #5 is a dorm known for its unique blend of privacy and social community setting. The dorm, though older and less visually appealing, compensates with spacious rooms, especially the doubles, known to accommodate gatherings comfortably. Offering a suite-style arrangement, each suite houses seven individuals distributed in a triple, a double, and two singles sharing a bathroom. This setup ensures a level of privacy seldom experienced in other dormitories. The dorm’s location is ideal for accessing social hubs like the RPCC and dining options such as Nasties. While the building has aged, facilities including kitchens on each floor, a laundry room on the first floor, and a sky lounge with breathtaking views add significant value. Noise levels vary with suitemates, but the dorm has a general ambiance of quietude with occasional lively nights. High Rise #5 forms a close-knit community, with many residents cherishing the memories and friendships made here, making it a preferred choice for many returning students.

Jameson Hall offers a unique living experience at Cornell, characterized by its suite-style ground floor and substantial communal spaces. Residents benefit from sharing private kitchens and living rooms, providing an apartment-like feel. The dorm features a sky lounge with impressive views and a pool table, offering a less crowded, relaxing spot for socializing. Dorm rooms vary, from spacious singles with excellent lighting and views to less ideal forced triples, which can feel cramped. Many reviews highlight the convenience of being close to the Robert Purcell Community Center, making meal access and late-night snacks easy. While the building lacks air conditioning, fans help manage the warm periods in August and May. Loud floor lounges may not suit studying in the evenings, but they're great for making friends. While the building's age shows, its proximity to essential campus facilities and the vibrant social environment make Jameson Hall a sought-after housing option despite the occasional downsides.

The Latino Living Center (LLC) is a favored residence for many students who appreciate its vibrant community and prime location close to central campus. The dorm offers a suite-style living arrangement, though room sizes can vary, with some suites being quite spacious and others more compact. Despite the occasional small rooms, residents often commend the welcoming and familial atmosphere that is fostered within the LLC community. Cultural events and programs such as Cafe con Leche series and Bienvenida are highlights, offering residents unique cultural engagement and community bonding experiences. The facility boasts a lounge with a piano and a full kitchen, as well as a well-equipped laundry room, study areas, and a cozy courtyard perfect for events. While it misses air conditioning, residents are advised to bring fans to stay comfortable. Though slightly set apart from other North Campus dorms, the proximity to Risley and Morrison adds convenience. Overall, the LLC offers a distinct and enriching living experience, especially for those embracing Latine heritage.

Low Rise #6 is a dormitory that evokes a mixed bag of emotions and experiences. Strategically located close to the RPCC bus stop and essential amenities like the mail center and a study space, it provides convenient access to transportation and services. Its layout, however, is bewildering, which adds to its reputation for being confusing. The dorm is old, which means it's burdened with outdated amenities and a lack of facilities like elevators for move-in convenience. Despite its poor reputation largely due to its less-than-ideal location on the periphery of North Campus and thin walls, Low Rise #6 fosters a strong sense of community with its pod-style arrangement, making it easier to forge connections among residents. Although the dorm rooms vary in size, some residents face issues like blocked views, inadequate lighting, and problematic heating. On the upside, it features a mini suite kitchen, competent RA staff, and vending machines. While not the best ranked, Low Rise #6 etches itself into the memories of its residents with unique challenges and occasional inconveniences.

Low Rise #7, or LR7, is a polarizing dorm experience for many freshmen. Known for its less-than-ideal structural conditions, students often face issues such as broken blinds, inadequate heating and cooling, and frequent maintenance problems. The absence of elevators and the unpredictable suite system further contribute to its challenges. Located at one of the farthest points from Central Campus, residents often cite the lengthy walk to class as a significant drawback. However, the dorm's unique layout encourages interaction among suitemates, fostering a tight-knit community despite its isolating architecture. While some students feel trapped or disconnected, others cherish the friendships formed through shared adversities. High ceilings in top-floor rooms offer a spacious feel, albeit with the trade-off of climbing stairs. Despite its reputation, LR7 holds a certain allure, with some students finding comfort in the camaraderie it unintentionally cultivates, making it a remembered part of their college journey.

Mary Donlon Hall is renowned as the ultimate social hub on North Campus, where friendships blossom in the vibrant community. The dorm's unique layout, resembling a fidget spinner, encourages interaction among residents. With gender-neutral bathrooms, a billiards room, a TT table, and even a beloved dog named Maggie, there is never a dull moment. While the building's aged look and lack of AC may deter some, the social scene more than makes up for it. Thin walls may allow noise to travel, but the shared spaces like the central lounge are always buzzing with activity. Despite occasional noise levels, residents praise the opportunities for socializing and forming lasting bonds. The dorm's central location and proximity to amenities like the library and dining options add to its appeal. While cleanliness and noise levels vary among residents, the camaraderie and sense of community in Mary Donlon Hall make it a memorable and cherished dorm experience for many students.

Mews Hall is regarded as one of the best freshman dorms on campus, primarily due to its modern amenities and convenient location. The dorm boasts spacious rooms with ample closet space, arranged in "pods" of 5-6 people, each sharing a bathroom equipped with a toilet, shower, and two sinks. The bathrooms are cleaned regularly, ensuring a high level of hygiene. Mews Hall stands out as one of the few dormitories with air conditioning, a significant comfort, especially during warmer months. Its proximity to Appel Dining Hall and its convenience for picking up mail add to its appeal. Although Mews Hall offers limited laundry facilities and lacks in its common spaces, it compensates with a hotel-like atmosphere, maintaining a quiet and clean environment. The dorm may not be very social due to the arrangement of common areas and strict policies about keeping doors closed, but its closeness to other dorms makes it easy for residents to visit friends and engage in social activities elsewhere.

Risley Residential College is a distinctive living space known for its vibrant art-centric atmosphere and strong communal activities. The dorm boasts a mix of room sizes, with some of the largest doubles on campus alongside very small singles, leading to a varied living experience. Its prime location, just across the bridge from the main campus and close to the architecture studio, makes it particularly convenient for students. Notably, the building exudes character with art-covered walls and hosts frequent events, fostering a welcoming community without upperclassmen hierarchies. However, potential residents should be prepared for inconsistent room sizes and a lively theater-crowd vibe. The lack of air conditioning, historical age, and less-than-ideal kitchen and bathroom conditions, especially on lower floors, are notable drawbacks. Risley features a dining hall with alternative dietary options, art workshops, and a dance studio, attracting students with artistic inclinations. Overall, it's a charming residence for those embracing its unique culture.

The Townhouse Community offers spacious townhouse apartments with a unique layout that includes a living room and kitchen on the first floor, and two large double bedrooms with a shared bathroom on the second floor. This arrangement is ideal for students who appreciate ample personal space, enjoy cooking, and value having friends over. The townhouses are mostly inhabited by athletes and exchange students, which can impact the sense of community if you're not part of these groups. However, the proximity to RPCC and numerous bus stops offer convenient access to campus facilities. While the buildings themselves are not particularly modern, they afford residents control over heating and AC. The living room provides ample space for personal touches, enhancing comfort and personalization. While some find the distance from central campus a drawback, others appreciate the semi-privacy of a smaller group living arrangement. The separation of the shower and toilet areas in the bathroom can be inconvenient, but overall, the Townhouse Community is a comfortable and spacious living option for those who prioritize independence and hosting capabilities.

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.

Cornell Dorms

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112 Edgemoor

660 Stewart

Akwe:kon

Alice Cook House

Balch Hall

Barbara McClintock Hall

Carl Becker House

Cascadilla Hall

Clara Dickson Hall

Court-Kay-Bauer Hall

EEC

Ecology House

Flora Rose House

Ganędagǫ: Hall

HILC

Hands Bethe House

High Rise #5

Hu Shih Hall

JAM

Jameson Hall

Language House

Latino Living Center

Low Rise #6

Low Rise #7

Lyon Hall

Mary Donlon Hall

Mennen Hall

Mews Hall

Risley Residential College

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall

Sheldon Court

Toni Morrison Hall

Townhouse Community

Von Cramm Hall

Wait Avenue Cooperative

William Keeton House

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