beg

My S has decided on Conn, and we are all very pleased with it. I have 3 questions about the dorms.

1) Does each dorm/each area have a social character?

2) Sounds like South Campus has a reputation for having the "best parties" (not sure what that means). Does that mean it's noisy all the time so that you can't get any work done? Or that people are getting drunk/throwing up a lot, affecting the atmosphere for other students on the hall?

3) We visited the newer dorms ("plexes"). Just a hunch, but are they characterized by "jocks?"

Don't mean to offend anybody with stereotypes, but I just want to know what the scene is, since the culture you're living in makes a difference. One of the good things about CC is you can get the real story.

Thanks a lot.

psychmom

Hi beg, Congratulations on your son's decision...it must be a relief to at least know where he's going! I can't answer your questions ( my daughter is a junior in HS) but we are very interested in Conn and visited the school last week.

I hope you continue to ask away and get some helpful responses, as well as continue to share your son's journey here.

CamelMan21

Quick Stereotypes of Dorms/areas:

South: has the most parties (specifically Freeman and JA). This means that on weekends it is loud until early in the morning. During the week, however, noise is not an issue and students can study and get work done in dorms.

Central: Many student government types and "nerdier" types like this area. It tends to have very tight-knit community oriented dorms, especially in Branford and Plant. This is the best area for freshmen, especially in Branford, Plant, and Smith.

North (the plex): Indeed, has a large jock and "waspy"/"japy" population. Although with a huge portion of the college living in these dorms they are hardly restricted to these types. Wright tends to be a quieter dorm.

Laz, Abbey, Earth House, 360: Indie/alternative dorms

Those are the stereotypes of most of the dorms or living areas. Keep in mind that they are quick and easy generalizations and, in reality, there is a large variety of students in all of the sections of campus.

beg

Thank you so much, Camelman21 -- that is so helpful.
And to the mom who wrote, thanks too -- I'll try to post again as we get more info.

BOATSHOEINWINTER

Camelman - I'm considering either Knowlton or Branford as my top picks, how does Knowlton fit into the campus scene?

CamelMan21

Knowlton is the "international dorm" and I am uncertain as to whether or not Freshman need to apply to live there. "International" means that students have to be taking or fluent in a foreign language. Knowlton has the foreign language cafeteria where students can speak in various languages with professors over lunch. It has a large population of international students. Like the other "themed dorms" such as Blackstone and Burdick, there is usually a knowlton "clique" but by no means is this group inclusive nor predominate the dorm. It is merely a different scene and, by and large, an intellectual scene with students aware of global issues. Lastly, in my opinion, Knowlton is physically the nicest dorm on campus. Rooms are large and common areas are attractive.

I recommend Branford because you will meet a broader ranger of students and it is a "tighter-knit" dorm. To answer your question though, Knowlton is a nice dorm, with worldly and social residents.

CamelMan21

by no means is this group EXCLUSIVE*

limenet

Do incoming first year students get to state a preference for a dorm or "area" of campus at Conn?