I am astounded by the difference in dorm quality between the old and new dorms, the old dorms look like they could be used as the setting for Orange is the New Black and the new dorms look like a nice hotel. The difference is incomparable. Some of the students say that the old dorms get you a more tight-knit community, but honestly I felt imprisoned when I went inside. I also quickly developed a cough while I was inside (from the dust maybe, the room I was in didnt have the dual fans set up). It just seems like completely unfair for students in the old dorms… The extra 3-5 minute walk to class seems worth it for the immense difference in quality.
My daughter was in a dorm her first year that was torn down right after the school year ended. It was pretty crummy. Not only that, she had to put up with construction out her window (noise and dust galore!) all year long, and she survived (frankly, I was pleasantly surprised that she didn’t complain). The good news is that she had a wonderful roommate and nice neighbors. Isn’t that the most important thing? My second daughter will be going to UVa this fall, and I hope she gets luckier with the dorm situation, but it’s not something I will lose sleep over. It’s part of the college experience…learning to make do.
The U. has approved over $25 million to renovate Gooch-Dillard, and over $90 million to completely renovate the McCormick Road/Old Dorms, including adding air conditioning. I don’t know if the work will be completed by August.
It may be confusing to people to know that the “New Dorms” were actually built circa 1970. They were apparently rushed in construction, and the concrete did not hold up well. Almost all were demolished over the past four years. They have been replaced by a full set of New New Residence Halls, which went back to the Old dorm-style hallway design, instead of the 1970s suite designs.
The U. also recently completed the $65 million renovation of “New” Cabell Hall, which dates from about 1951.
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2014/09/mccormick-road-dorms-to-see-massive-renovation-project
The link I posted above says that the Gooch-Dillard work will be done first, and that McCormick Road dorms will be done in phases over the next few years.
If you have a medical reason that would require you to have air conditioning, you can get a letter from your physician which will help you get into New (new) Dorms/air conditioning. My son has asthma and he got a letter from his Pulmonologist and filled out the paperwork with housing and was placed in New Dorms. He had chosen a roomate in advance and this wasn’t an issue. The roommate he chose was fine with that.
The Old Dorms build character and survival skills B-)
Character building is the go-to response to try to make something bad sound better.
^^^^ I guess you didn’t pick up on the humor I was trying to inject here. But, seriously, it’s not like the University can just magically make the Old Dorms as good as the new stuff being built. The Old Dorm architecture (external) is part of the historic face of the Grounds. They will never be torn down like the Alderman road dorms. They’ll do what they can to improve them on the inside, but it takes time and money. Future incoming classes will benefit from whatever improvements are made, just like the students today have it FAR better than those of us who attended in the '70’s. It’s a state school with very modest tuition levels…you get what you pay for.
A room is a room is a room. Who cares if the walls are concrete block or drywall etc? Or if the floor is tile versus marble? I am just as happy staying in a Motel 6 as I am in a Marriott.
Kids today have it too easy. We not only walked uphill both ways to school (in the snow), but had to sleep on the bare floor and had no windows.
I wouldnt mind doing that in the new dorms, the entire building just feels nice.
One thing I find funny is that there is all this fuss about how bad the Old Dorms are, yet three years later it is considered a privilege to live in an almost 200 year old, small, drafty room where tourists are constantly asking you questions and naked students are running past your front door at all hours of the night. Oh, and you have to go outside to get to your toilet and shower.
^ At several colleges, some of the oldest spots with the fewest amenities are considered the most desirable. Location and character can trump fancy finishes in all sorts of real estate. 
^^^^ I’m a big fan of character/charm vs. shiny new (boring) accommodations. Old Dorms rock!
The rooms on the lawn have their own rich history that makes them a desirable location, additionally, the competitiveness to get such a room makes them that much more prestigious. The old dorms have no such prestige. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion!
SWeLLT, just saw your post (granted a little late) and wanted to give my perspective. I just finished my first year at UVA and lived in old dorms. I totally understand and in some ways agree with your perspective. When I went to DOTL and Orientation, I desperately wanted to live in new dorms, so much so that I actually cried when I got my dorm assignment in old dorms (granted that was definitely a release of nervousness/emotions in general about leaving home and going to college…I was terrified). I can tell you now after living in old dorms for an entire year that you will be happy no matter where you end up. I laugh at how dramatic I was about it and would not change my dorm assignment if I could go back. It may seem like people are BSing about the closer community thing but it is undoubtedly true. I loved the dorm community so much I considered applying to be an RA–crazy considering I actually did not think I would be able to last a year in dorms. Yes, the new dorms certainly has nicer amenities. I will not deny that. But there are certainly perks to old dorms and in the end, I think you will love your dorm.