Suite or Hall?

nguyen0824 · 03-17-2007, 11:16 PM

My roommate decided not to go into the honors program, so we're back to looking at dorms. Just wondering, but what are the pros/cons of a hall dorm and a suite-style dorm?

PackMom · 03-18-2007, 07:58 AM

A lot of it may depend on what part of campus you wish to live on. For instance, West Campus dorms are all suite style while East Campus dorms are all hall style. Central Campus has both (Tucker,Owen Turlington, Alexander are hall style while the tri-towers Metcalf, Carroll and Bowen are suite style).

S lived in Owen and much preferred hall style to the suite style his friend in Bowen had. The rooms in the old hall dorms are a little bigger and have a sink in the room. That sounds like a minor thing but S thought it a big plus to be able to brush teeth, wash hands, get a drink of water, etc. right in your own room. He also felt he got to know a lot more people living on the hall rather than in a suite since you mostly just interact with your suite mates there.
That's just his opinion though. He has friends in suites who like it because they can get all their best friends together in a suite (after freshman year). The West Campus suite halls are the closest to Fountain Dining Hall.
There is a dining hall on East Campus too. If you're on Central Campus you'll have to walk a little to eat but it is the closest to the academic buildings so you can sleep a little later in the mornings. S's opinion was that East Campus was the best choice because it was right in the middle of everything.

S says whatever you do, do not choose Wood Hall. It is far away from everything and a long walk to class. Also Avent Ferry is far away too.

nguyen0824 · 03-18-2007, 10:31 AM

So far, I chose Tucker and Owen, but the online application said tha I can only put Tucker or Owen as my FIRST Choice if I'm in FYC. So I guess Tucker and Owen are my 2'nd and 3'rd choices. I might need to call them and make sure. Still deciding on the last dorm, any recommendations? I want a Hall dorm, but the only one left is Welch, and thats on the other side of the railroad. The other hall dorms are for Honors, Arts, and Global Village.

PackMom · 03-18-2007, 02:23 PM

How about Turlington?

nguyen0824 · 03-18-2007, 04:30 PM

Turlington houses Arts Village participants.

PackMom · 03-19-2007, 02:49 PM

Sounds like you're kind of out of luck as far as the hall dorms go unless you happen to get your 2nd/3rd choice. As far as suite dorms, I would choose one of the tri-towers. They are all virtually the same I think. At least you would still be on Central Campus. Didn't know Turlington was for Arts now. It wasn't when S was a freshman in 05 but I know they did some renovation on it last year so must have changed it's designation for this year.

nguyen0824 · 03-19-2007, 03:50 PM

I emailed NCSU Housing, and they said that half of Becton, part of Syme, and part of Turlington is for anyone. So I guess those are my choices.

PackMom · 03-20-2007, 07:15 AM

Hey, that's good news. Good luck. It will be interesting to see what you get!

violetblossom · 04-02-2007, 12:29 AM

I really like the location of Central dorms, but some of the West Campus ones look nice, like Becton. It seems that most people live in Central, but do a good amount still live on West? And how much farther are they really to classes?

PackMom · 04-02-2007, 12:13 PM

violetblossom, Becton is on East Campus. Lee, Bragaw, Sullivan are the West Campus dorms. Yes, lots of kids live on West Campus. Part of Sullivan is for Honors students I believe the WISE (women in science and engineering) community is housed in Lee. West campus dorms are the closest to Fountain Dining Hall. I would guess it might be an extra 10 minutes(or less) walking time between Central Campus and West.
Many of the East Campus dorms are hall style. All of the West Campus dorms are suite style. Central campus has some of both. My S lived on Central campus and thought it was the perfect location. My husband lived on west campus when he went to State and thought it was the perfect location! Do you prefer a hall dorm or a suite dorm?

Pride_Surfer · 04-02-2007, 12:18 PM

Packmom, do you know anything about alexander, owen, and bowen... are they good halls???

oh yeah, and how easy is it to get roomed with a perferred roomamte if we both put each other's name on the housing application? do they try really hard to grant your request?

violetblossom · 04-02-2007, 01:55 PM

Oops, I meant East!

I think I want the Hall style, because that seems to be what people have recommended.

The rooms are a little bit bigger in Central right? Which hall style dorms would you recommend? Thanks

PackMom · 04-02-2007, 10:20 PM

My S lived in Owen. He really liked it. Alexander is very similiar in style to Owen. All the International students live in Alexander. They are both hall style. The rooms are a little larger in the older hall style dorms. S found having a sink in the room was pretty handy. According to nguyen0824, unless you're in First Year College you're only allowed to put Tucker/Owen as 2nd and 3rd choices. Carmicahl gym is right across the street from the Central campus dorms so it's really convenient for working out, playing basketball/raquetball (S and friends took that up their freshman year and had a blast) and getting to PE classes.
One of S's friends lived in Bowen. I think he moved over to Metcalf this year but only because the guy he wanted to room with was living there. I think all 3 of the tri-towers are basically alike.

S had no problem getting assigned a room with his chosen roommate. He sent his room assignment form in really early (Dec. I think).