Dorms

alay2009 · 01-05-2009, 09:56 PM

What dorms are best at Duke? And what are their particular merits?

SBR · 01-05-2009, 11:19 PM

I'm assuming you are freshmen? In that case, you'll have to be specific about what you think is "best." Every dorm has its pros and cons. Some dorms are better located, some are newer, some are bigger, some have AC, many don't, etc. It's kind of subjective, like asking which fruit is the best.

But since you asked, I'll go ahead and say Aycock is the best dorm ever. Big closets, best location right by the bus stop, small size so you get a close-knit community, it's great!

Madboy121 · 01-06-2009, 01:26 AM

Jarvis>Aycock

IrishDevil · 01-06-2009, 07:39 AM

The dorms up here in Duketown are all quite cozy and comfy but will differ according to your own personal interests. Some dorms are the size of Cameron and others a Smurf would have trouble being roomy in.....generalizations aside, if anyone has any questions on a specific place of slumber....holler

SBR · 01-06-2009, 08:23 AM

pfffffffffffft, Aycock >> Jarvis

optic foramina · 01-06-2009, 11:54 AM

Brown is the best!

ceo1207 · 01-09-2009, 12:24 PM

Pegram- interesting personalities, quiet enough to study when needed, close to music building and library, and of course home to SELADOR

HiWei · 02-22-2009, 02:02 AM

Uh... I don't think anyone has got it right so far. For freshmen Bell Tower is no doubt the best dorm simply because it has AC, huge rooms and the nicest amenities. For West campus it would definitely have to be Keohane for the same reasons.

Although I would agree its very subjective depending on the people that are in your year.

Go Randolph!

sockpuppet · 03-25-2009, 11:58 AM

Bell Tower is by far the best dorm. Air conditioning, big rooms, abundance of common rooms and study rooms, entertainment center, the oasis. However, it is the farthest away from the main quad/bus stop (but conveniently close to the gym).

However, all dorms have their ups and downs. Randolph and Blackwell are the other two with AC, but AC only really matters the first 2 months of school.

libni · 03-25-2009, 02:34 PM

can i see a dorm?!

gapin'it · 03-25-2009, 04:51 PM

when you guys say jarvis>aycock or vice versa, could you give us some rationale? like what are each one's pros and cons? cause just sayin one's better isn't very beneficial without reasons. thanks!

SBR · 03-25-2009, 10:12 PM

The Aycock/Jarvis thing is somewhat of a cross-quad rivalry. Structurally, the two dorms are almost identical. Of course in reality, aycock is better

p_hp_fan · 03-28-2009, 02:44 AM

While I have no objection to debating which freshman dorm is the best, just know that you aren't able to chose which dorm you want. If you have a doctor's excuse for allergies you can guaranty that you will have air conditioning, but you still don't get to select your dorm. You can also select a roommate if you know someone coming or can find someone on Facebook or something. However, in no case are you able to choose (except indirectly if you join a living group and you know which dorm they're in).

That said, here are some general things to know about the dorms.
On the main quad:
Bassett - kind of far from bus stop
Pegram - kind of far from bus stop (note this is the arts dorm)
Brown - good location, eprint, right next to Marketplace (note this is the wellness dorm)
Alspaugh - good location, right next to Lilly Library
Wilson - good location, suite style (only one on East), right next to Marketplace, close to bus stop
Giles - good location, right next to Lilly Library, close to bus stop
Jarvis - good location, close to bus stop
Aycock - good location, close to bus stop

I don't think any of these have A/C.

Epworth is a small dorm off the main quad. I think it's biggest appeal is that they form a pretty close community.

The "Backyard" (off the main quad towards the gym):
Bell Tower
Randolph
Southgate
Gilbert-Addoms

These all have A/C I think. They are further from the bus stop, but GA (Gilbert-Addoms) has it's own stop that you can sometimes catch.

Additionally, I know Blackwell is in the backyard, but I don't think it has A/C.

Finally note that the backyard is newer.

sockpuppet · 03-28-2009, 03:20 AM

Blackwell, Randolph, and Bell Tower are the ones with AC (they are the newest ones). Southgate and GA might have room ACs, but not the building as a whole (I actually don't think they have AC).

The eprint fact is negligible, since I'm pretty sure every dorm has one.

Bell Tower, although relatively far from the bus stop (5 minute or less walk), it's very close to the whole foods and 9th street (that has lots of other eating options for the weekends)

adrivit · 03-28-2009, 10:13 AM

So, how exactly are dorms alloted to us?