<p>The “Reslife” (residential life) process here is pretty hand-done by Reslife staff… which means that if you write something in the little space it gives you to write whatever you want, they’ll probably at least take it into account. Anyone I know who was really clear about what they wanted (ie. two room double, single, a particular dorm) wound up getting it. Later in the year, you’ll get information about submitting a form with all your preferences. Compared to most schools, the housing “survey” is very short and informal; they won’t ask you questions about what time you like to go to sleep or how tidy you keep things. They’ve found that whether they do that or not, they get the same number of requests for roommate transfers, which is interesting!</p>
<p>But I’ve gotten off topic again. They’ll let you put your preference for which dorm you want, for your top few choices. Last year, most people got these top choices, but because a lot of people put the same few top choices, some people winded up in the Butterfields who didn’t list it at all. Of those people, most of those who I know have been really happy there. Keyword, most.</p>
<p>They give you information about each of the buildings (dorms + 200 Church!) you can live in as a freshman. Talk to some upperclassman about their “reputations” and what type of rooms they have, and see what you like the most. There really are no bad living options - Fauver lacks “character,” say some, but it has amazing community spaces and is brand new. WestCo may be old and might have rumours of bats, but it has awesome self-government and two-room doubles and most rooms have BALCONIES. 200 Church may not have your nice typical dorm setting, but it’s a gorgeous house and full of very interesting passionate people. The Butterfields may seem “isolated,” but they have huge rooms, ridiculously awesome underground tunnels, a ton of character, lots of trees and a beautiful courtyard, and the highly delicious Summerfields.</p>
<p>Sidenote: I’m going to paste some advice that the amazing Joe John gave last year for admitted students. Hope he doesn’t mind or think I’m plagarizing :P</p>
<p>*The comments section on the housing application isn’t really for you to write your autobiography. It’s mostly for special circumstances or preferences. For example…</p>
<p>“I have this (insert given condition) and I need (this sort of dorm space).”</p>
<p>or more mildly…</p>
<p>“I’d really not like to be in a double, as I find extreme value in privacy.”</p>
<p>There’s a great range of comments you can make, but they should be short and sweet. This isn’t admissions, so ResLife doesn’t have time to read all your comments and analyze them sufficiently. Just be short and concise and let them know what your deal is.*</p>