We heard that same thing going in. However, my D22 switched dorms between freshman and soph year no problem. After study abroad fall of junior year she will likely be slotted in yet a 3rd dorm (whatever is available when she gets back). She is planning on a townhome or terrace apt for senior year. And for those heavily invested in the residential quad discussion, the two dorms she has lived in are NOT on the residential quad.
If I understand correctly, a student gets a better dorm draw number (or however they slot them) if they stay in their previous dorm. My D did not want a single (which often requires having a better room draw) and she did not really want to stay in her dorm. She had no problem getting a double in another dorm. She moved from a very large double freshman year (I think it was 14ftx20ft) into a huge double this year. (I don’t know the square footage. It’s an odd shaped room, and her bed area is in its own alcove.)
So if you don’t like your dorm, moving is possible!
I can’t believe you all (or your kids) care that much about the buildings at your schools. I went to CU. The buildings are made out of yellow stone and have red roofs. They were warm and dry when I took my classes. Personally, I don’t really like the uniform look that much, but really didn’t care. Or notice.
Did you all spend this much time picking out their elementary schools (where they could spend 6 to 8 years) or their high schools? Mine were mostly fortresses, built by WPA workers.
Within boundaries we actually let our S24 pick his HS, after taking tours. The campus was definitely a factor in his choice, although not the only one.
There is legitimate research that finds individuals are more productive when they are working in buildings that they find visually appealing, so there is that.
Also, some of us just really like certain types of architecture! No shame there.
When I was in college, walking around my campus made me feel happy and inspired (lovely urban campus, green space, eclectic architecture ranging from the 18th century to the present). My husband felt the same about his college (rural, scenic, also a mix of historic and modern architecture). My D wanted to be someplace where she could feel similarly happy and inspired by the built and natural landscape. Was it the only factor? Of course not. But it did move some schools off the list – campuses that felt cold or sterile were just not places she wanted to be. College is a complete experience, so I understand this.
That’s one of the things I wonder about schools like WUSTL with massive investments in one style. Do they ever have the room for something out of the ordinary? Instead, you wind up with this hybrid:
Performing Arts Center (Washington University, St. Louis)
My daughter had the same experience. She moved from Noyes (she wasn’t on the cool side with the great windows) to a beautiful double room in Cushing. But she really enjoys having a roommate and wasn’t interested in a single.
When I went to LSU thirty years ago, it was a moldy-plastered, no air-conditioning (in the dorms), torrential rain with no transport, falling-down buildings slumhouse! Some people liked its architecture, though. I grew up in Louisiana, though, and everything was like that. We were used to it.
My D made that same move! The beautiful large windows with strong sun affected room temp. Everyone could see in, in part because the only overhead lighting was in the window for no apparent reason (other than looking cool). And the noise was nuts, with huge parties (e.g. Noise on Noyes) being held directly outside those windows. Some kids loved it. But she was glad to move to a quieter house tucked out of the way.
Oh and the fire alarm issue! How did I forget that?! When we pulled up to move in at Cushing, the alarm was going off in Noyes.
Contrasting in the same sense that you might wear a plain gray suit with something flashy. Sometimes the best you can do is not compete with certain designs.
We spent a ton of time at Sam Fox (S24 is an art and design student) on Accepted Students day. LOVED IT. Also the Kemper Art Museum on campus is fantastic–inside and out and we spent a good part of the morning there, with a break to get a triple shot latte in the McKelvey cafe just across the quad (the only Starbucks on campus, but delightfully located for our purposes). I said to S24: Art and caffeine! What could be better? We can’t wait to return. The whole campus is gorgeous–lucky kids. Though, had I been able to convince S24 to visit/apply, I would have loved Vassar as well. (He categorically refused.) Maybe D26 will want to visit Vassar etc. My strategy this next go-round will be to NOT tip my hand to colleges that I think look fabulous/magical/fun (adorable LACs). I’ll play the cool, calm, only mildly interested parental card. And see where that gets me.
Yes, renovating, rehabilitating, re-purposing - however one phrases it - a genuinely historic building has got to be one of the most rewarding projects a university can embark on.
