Is John Jay Hall the best dorm at Columbia?

It’s probably the most vanilla dorm for a freshman, but that’s not a bad thing at all! Getting a single is pretty easy, and most floors end up hanging out a lot in the lounges too, so there’s a good balance of privacy and community. You won’t have to go outside to eat or do laundry, but I personally didn’t like the John Jay or JJ’s dining halls too much. The only real cons are that it can be decently far from some classes (this is especially true if you’re in SEAS), and the elevators have a reputation for requiring maintenance somewhat frequently.

The quintessential Columbia freshman experience (don't let those people in Carman tell you anything different)! You're almost guaranteed a single (small, but still larger than some in Wallach/Hartley), except for the few poor souls who get put in walk through doubles like me. Honestly, the walk through double was great until my roommate got a boyfriend who basically moved in, but it was very spacious. Higher floors facing campus get killer views of Low that you'll miss when you're an upperclassman. Being right on campus is also so convenient, considering it takes two steps to get to Hamilton or Butler, and you have the beautiful quad right outside. Bathrooms are individual/single use at a time, which is really nice to get some privacy, etc, but they definitely do tend to get nasty, especially on the weekends when they aren't cleaned for a while. Elevators can be a nightmare at big rush hours, so definitely plan to leave a bit early, or get used to taking the stairs. There's no kitchen at all, only a microwave in the floor lounge, so if you want to cook make friends with someone in Furnald or the LLC right next door. But of course, John Jay offers the best access to the best dining halls, with John Jay and JJ's place right on the first floor/basement. Definitely super convenient and a massive plus. Some floors became closer than others, but the lounges and floor communities are generally pretty good, and people get to know their neighbors.

Although no A/C and variable heating (sometimes too little, sometimes too much) was a downside, John Jay is the best on all other facts. It's a bit of a gambit whether or not you'll have a social floor — let alone make friends with your floormates —but it's the same risk at any dorm anywhere. John Jay was a prime location, sharing a building with two of the three dining halls. Rooms are small but livable, bathroom cleanliness depends on floor, and elevators can sometimes be a pain. But JJ made my freshman experience amazing.