Which Ivies/top-tier colleges have the nicest dorms?

alexissss · 07-08-2012, 01:48 PM

In terms of cleanliness.

Thoughts?

barrk123 · 07-08-2012, 02:34 PM

Not a top tier/ivy but Marist College has some of the nicest dorms in the country

ChristineF · 07-08-2012, 02:39 PM

Not top tier/ivy either, but University of Alabama has what I call the Taj Mahal of dorms!

alexissss · 07-08-2012, 02:40 PM

That's good! Thank you. :-D

bruno14 · 07-08-2012, 04:04 PM

If you're looking for clean dorms, then clean your dorm! That isn't something that depends on the college, that's something that depends on the student body, and I'm sure it differs greatly between different dorms at the same school.

ChristineF · 07-08-2012, 04:04 PM

You're welcome. Something else to consider, if your child (or you) is going Greek, the Fraternity/Sorority house is often cheaper than dorms (and nicer). My daughter's top choices include a school with awful dorms, but she knows by Sophomore year she will be in a sorority and live in the house!

alexissss · 07-08-2012, 04:32 PM

I'm not too interested in sors/Greek life, I feel as though they have a negative connotation. :-\ I'll surely look into it, though.

Of course. My living surroundings will be spotless. I guess I'm concerned about the overall feel of the dorms. Bathroom facilities included. It's possible to move into a dorm and it's already unkempt.

Bill73 · 07-08-2012, 04:34 PM

"Bathroom facilities included"

In college, my dorm had community showers. It took time to get used to them, but I survived.

jetsfan289 · 07-08-2012, 04:40 PM

Roll tide!!! are dorms are all basically brand new!! But Bryn Mawr College has the nicest dorms i think by princeton review. Just look at really expensive lac schools they usually have nice dorms.

disneydebk · 07-08-2012, 04:51 PM

Good question! I have wondered this myself. So many dorm rooms remind me of jail cells....

Davidabb84 · 07-08-2012, 05:45 PM

I've heard good things about Yale's residential colleges, but I'm not an expert.

maxwell123 · 07-08-2012, 06:39 PM

According to Princeton Review:
Bryn Mawr
Loyola MD
Smith
Bennington
WashU
Christopher Newport
Bowdoin
Scripps
Skidmore
Olin
Amherst
Rose Hulman
Sweet Briar
Yale
GW
Pomona
Mt Holyoke
Dartmouth
Sonoma St
Reed

alexissss · 07-08-2012, 06:53 PM

Thanks, maxwell.

A lot of those are on my list! That's good. I just don't want to live in anything for four years.

zobroward · 07-08-2012, 07:27 PM

U of Alabama is probably tops.
case western has put in some amazing new dorms, freshman probably still have to live in post world war II... brick /cinderblock buildings. haverford has a lot of singles I have read and rice is really nice but if you want a single and your in the wrong residential college it is probably to bad for you. being clean is up to you and your suite mates! common areas cleaned by staff that is a toss of a coin.
yale seems to be king of the ivies, but my opinion is nothing more than an opinion!

happy1 · 07-08-2012, 11:52 PM

My S had really wonderful dorms at Fordham - Rose Hill. But I wouldn't make the quality of the dorms a huge priority in a college search. As long as the dorms are clean and safe, the kids will be fine. Look at the quality of the program, students, teachers, overall "vibe" of the campus, type of school (large, LAC, suburban, urban etc.) and try to find the best fit that is affordable.