<p>Realeducation, obviously I haven’t read dynamicsemantics’s private messages, but I think you overreacted to his/her first post on this forum. What dynamicsemantics pointed out is true-- most people that I know who are in IHouse (admittedly not many) did not have it as their top choice and were placed into it because UChicago overenrolled and didn’t have enough on-campus residence options. There was no need to be so harsh in your response. </p>
<p>That being said, it’s awesome that your daughter is enjoying her experience in IHouse. I’ve only been to IHouse once (to see Madeleine Albright and Henry Paulson) and it seems like a really pleasant place to live. Like xp1123 said, IHouse has singles (which is really convenient) and having so many world famous leaders and intellectuals basically coming to your house to speak must be amazing. My other IHouse memory however, was shuffling back to my dorm in the freezing sleet after the Sec. Albright talk. Chicago weather does not make walking around campus very pleasant, so one downside to IHouse (and New Grad) is its distance from the quad and dining halls. </p>
<p>I don’t know much about New Grad, but one of my friends who lives there likes it a lot and is planning on staying next year. The rooms are apparently very spacious, have private bathrooms, and will be mostly doubles with some singles. There is also an exercise room, game room, music room, lounge, etc. I know very little about the social atmosphere there currently but next year half of Pierce is going to be moving there so that might change things around a bit. Pierce is a pretty tight-knit dorm with lots of social people who hang out with others in their house.</p>