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Colleges With The Best Dorms

The best colleges have great dorms. But not all college dorms are created equal. Some are downright awful and others are downright amazing. So which ones should you consider? And what should you look out for when choosing a college? In this post, we explore the facts of Colleges With The Best Dorms, mit dorms, johnson university dorms, colleges with single dorms and best college dorms in new england.

You might think dorms aren’t all that important since they’re just temporary housing during schoolโ€”and yes, that’s trueโ€”but dorms can actually play a big role in determining how happy you’ll be at your new college! We’ve seen some dorms that are pretty small but have great amenities and others that are huge but don’t have anything special about them at all. Read on to learn more about Colleges With The Best Dorms, mit dorms, johnson university dorms, colleges with single dorms and best college dorms in new england.

Colleges With The Best Dorms

We begin with Colleges With The Best Dorms, then mit dorms, johnson university dorms, colleges with single dorms and best college dorms in new england.

Williams College dorm 2019

From location to academics, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a college to attend after high school.

Thankfully, those weighing their options can turn to the Princeton Review, a college-admissions company, for advice. The group recently released its annual list of the best college dorm rooms throughout the country, based on student ratings of their residence halls.

From the University of Dayton to Bowdoin College, here’s a look inside some of the best dorms throughout the United States.

7. Bowdoin College

bowdoin college
Students relax in a dorm room at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. 

At Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, students can stay in apartments or off-campus houses. First-year students, however, are required to stay in one of eight residential halls.

While each dorming location has something unique to offer, Bowdoin College’s housing locations for upperclassmen stand out the most. They have twin beds, cable television, laundry machines, and parking lots for vehicles.

6. Bryn Mawr College

bryn mawr dorms
A dorm room inside Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. 

Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, has dorms with lounge areas, vending machines with soda and snacks, and access to laundry machines, according to its website.

5. High Point University

high point university dorms
Students hang out in a High Point University dorm room. 

In a statement sent to Insider, representatives for High Point University said the North Carolina school offers “collaborative spaces, study areas, and business centers to support academic growth.” Recreation centers are also available.

“Everything at High Point University is intentionally designed,” a school representative said. “For example, residence halls were intentionally constructed in areas that provided students with access to HPU Libraries, student centers, and dining facilities.”

4. Emory University

emory dorms
Students congregate in an Emory University common area. 

In Atlanta, Georgia, Emory University has dorm rooms that stand out among others across the country. The school has standard residence halls, of course, as well as locations for students involved in the Greek community.

The most unique dorms, however, are found in the Theme Housing & Learning Communities, where students can live with those who share common interests. The dorms create “close-knit, inclusive communities where everyone knows each other,” according to the school’s website.

3. Texas Christian University

texas christian university dorms
Two students in their dorm room at Texas Christian University. 

Dorms at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth were designed to create a “close-knit community and sense of belonging,” according to the school’s website.

All but one of the school’s 20 residence halls are comprised of male and female students, and most rooms are shared by two or three students. Laundry machines are also included in each dorming area at Texas Christian University, as are lounges for students to study and socialize.

2. Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering

olin college of engineering dorms
The interior of a dorm room at Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering. 

While many schools across the country require students to bring their own dining supplies, Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering stores mini fridges and microwaves in each dorm room. Shared printers, laundry machines, and vacuums are also provided to students.

Sustainability is also  a priority at this Needham, Massachusetts, school. LED lights, for example, are found throughout each residence hall, and meters are installed to monitor energy use at each building.

1. Washington University in St. Louis

washington dorms
A view of the Washington University in St. Louis campus. 

Number one on the Princeton Review’s list is Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Dorms at the school house three to six people in each room, and residence halls are found in both traditional and modern buildings.

mit dorms

Now we consider mit dorms, johnson university dorms, colleges with single dorms and best college dorms in new england.

Housing at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) consists of eleven undergraduate dormitories and nine graduate dorms. All undergraduate students are required to live in an MIT residence during their first year of study. Undergraduate dorms are usually divided into suites or floors, and usually have Graduate Resident Assistants (GRA), graduate students living among the undergraduates who help support student morale and social activities.[1] Many MIT undergraduate dorms are known for their distinctive student cultures and traditions.

Both undergraduate and graduate dorms have a resident Head of House, usually a member of the MIT faculty, living in a special apartment suite within the building. Some larger dorms have multiple Heads of House, each responsible for a section of the building, who consult together on building-wide issues.

McCormick Hall is a women-only dorm; all other dorms are coeducational. Eastgate and Westgate are designated for graduate student family housing, and all other dorms are reserved for single students.

In addition, a portion of MIT undergraduate upperclassmen live in MIT Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups (FSILGs),[2] either on campus or nearby in Cambridge, Boston, or Brookline, Massachusetts.

Dormitory cultures

Over the years, MIT undergrad dormitories have developed a diverse range of cultures and traditions. With occasional local exceptions, the West Campus dorms (Maseeh, McCormick, Baker, Burton-Conner, MacGregor, New, Next, Simmons) have tended to be more mainstream in their outlook, while the East Side dorms (East Campus, Senior House, Random, Bexley) have been the home of many different subcultures, such as LGBTQ, Goth, counterculture, and anarchist.[3] Since 2002, MIT has required all first-year undergrads to reside in dormitories, partly to control irresponsible abuse of alcohol in some fraternities, which had resulted in the death of a freshman.

A new, 450-bed undergrad dormitory at 189 Vassar Street (Building W46) was completed in the fall of 2020, and opened for students in the spring semester of 2021.[5] Burton-Conner is scheduled to close for two years (June 2020 to August 2022) for a complete renovation.[6] East Campus is scheduled to be closed for renovation starting in June 2023.[7]

Design goals

In 2016, the MIT administration published its guidelines for design of new and renovation of older undergraduate dormitories.[8] An ideal size of 350 students per dormitory, organized into “clusters” of 30 students was proposed, consisting of 30-40% singles and the remainder double-occupancy rooms. Each room is to be equipped with furniture made of durable oak wood, designed to be modular and somewhat reconfigurable by the residents. Three bathrooms (allowing flexible gender designation) would be shared by each cluster of rooms, equipped with shared sinks and individually enclosed toilets and showers.

The report viewed shared cooking and dining facilities as essential parts of MIT student life and education. Some dorms would contain dining halls, and others would be designated as “cook-for-yourself” residences. Both types would also have some accommodations for larger group dining and individual or group cooking, including large “country kitchens” for groups of students working together. Informal and formal teaching about diet and cooking would be encouraged, in response to the expressed interest of many MIT students in learning how to cook. Dining halls would be structured for ease of access by other members of the MIT community, including students, faculty, and staff not residing in the host dorm, to facilitate wider social interactions and events.

The guidelines say that number of rooms and facilities should be shared dorm-wide, such as spaces for music rehearsal, games, media viewing, studying, exercising, meeting, and other individual or group activities. Makerspaces are increasingly emphasized to support MIT’s founding mens et manus (“Mind and Hand”) ethos and participation in the arts and athletics. A large enclosed exterior space or courtyard should be provided, gated for security while permitting wider community access for special occasions, and protected from solar glare and excessive wind.

The guidelines also state that dormitories should be designed to qualify for LEED gold certification, including central air conditioning to discourage improvised window air conditioner installations and to enable year-round use of the buildings.[8] The new Vassar Street dormitory (Building W46) was specifically designed with these guidelines in mind.

Dining options

The MIT administration has emphasized incorporation of shared dining facilities into several larger undergraduate dormitories, as places where daily informal social interactions can occur. After discontinuation of “mandatory commons” in 1970, MIT continued to operate dining halls in several dormitories on an opt-in meal plan basis. Required meal plans were reinstituted in fall 2011 for residents of several dormitories, despite the vigorous objections of some students. As of 2019, the MIT meal plans offer a mix of choices, required for residents of some dorms, and optional for all other undergraduates and all grad students.

As of 2019, the mandatory meal plan dorms are:

  • Baker House
  • Maseeh Hall (the only meal plan hall which is also open for lunch)
  • McCormick Hall
  • Next House
  • Simmons Hall

The other dorms are designated as “cook-for-yourself” communities, and have kitchens on each floor, or in each suite of apartments. Residents of these dorms may also opt to sign up for a meal plan at another dorm with dining facilities, or may eat at any dining hall on a “cash” basis. Free shuttle service is available to selected grocery stores off campus and there is a fresh produce market on campus open one day per week throughout most of the calendar year.

johnson university dorms

More details coming up on johnson university dorms, colleges with single dorms and best college dorms in new england.

Our dorms are rated 11th-best in the country by Business Insider, and 2nd-best by Niche.com! (Yet we keep our room and board costs lower than many state schools, including UT.) (Yes, those are hardwood floors you see in some rooms.)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=I1aOru6Gg1k%3Ffeature%3Doembed

Each two-person dorm room has internet access, personal temperature controls, movable furniture, and a private bath. The residence halls are each outfitted with two full-sized kitchens and laundry facilities that are available to students during the academic year.

Undergraduate dorms include Johnson Hall and Brown Hall.

All dormitories have a live-in residence director to maintain dorm operations and security. Each wing has two on-site residence assistants (RAs) who plan outings and events. All residence hall staff serve as a resource to students, fostering an environment of encouragement, comfort, and security.

Upon acceptance, each student will complete a housing application that surveys their interests and lifestyle habits. Once the application is completed, the residence director carefully pairs students for rooming assignments. Students are also given the option to request a desired roommate or room assignment.

Residence halls are within easy walking distance of the academic buildings, dining hall, student center, and Athletic and Recreation Complex. Bicycle racks are available across campus, and ample parking for student vehicles is available near the dorms.

Married & Nontraditional Students

Each school year around 100 students take advantage of the flexible housing options available to undergraduate students who are 23 or older, graduate students, or married students with or without children. These individuals and families experience the advantage of living in a supportive, close-knit community with access to campus amenities. Johnson offers a variety of housing options for these students, as outlined below. Contact the Student Life Office on the Tennessee campus to learn more.

All units are unfurnished.  All units have a refrigerator and range.

Duplex: These 1,000+ sf, 3 BR, 2 BA ranch style units are available to families with multiple children. Priority is given to families with children of different sex. Age of the children is also considered. The occupant is responsible for electric utilities.

Townhouses โ€“ These 1,000+ sf, 2 BR, 1 ยฝ BA two floor units are available to couples or families with one child or two children of the same sex. The occupant is responsible for electric and gas utilities.

Mobile Homes โ€“ Most are 14ร—56 and 14ร—66 foot units. The 14ร—56 are 2 or 3 BR and 1 or 2 BA. The 14ร—66 are 3 BR and 1 or 2 BA. These units are open to single, married, and families with children. The occupant is responsible electric utilities.

Bell Hall โ€“ Bell Hall apartments come in a wide variety of sizes from efficiencies at 230 SF to a 601 SF 1 BR, 1BA unit. There is one 2 BR, 1 BA. These units are available to single and married students without children. Utilities are included.

Sizes include:
Efficiency โ€“ one room
Studio โ€“ living area/bedroom; no door between
Large โ€“ living area and bedroom
XL โ€“ more space; living area and bedroom
XXL โ€“ bigger living area and two bedrooms

colleges with single dorms

7. California Baptist University (Riverside, California)

California Baptist University dorm room

“I love living on campus,” said a student. “It gives a whole new aspect to the college experience. Coming from out of state, it is nice to have a clean, spacious living area, even as a freshman. The community is so welcoming and there are a lot of events offered to get yourself involved in.”

Room and board: $9,220

6. Rice University (Houston, Texas)

Duncan College at Rice University

“Rice uses a college housing system similar to the house system in Harry Potter,” said one student. “You matriculate with a certain college and usually stay with the same college until you graduate. This system generates really friendly and close-knit college communities. Each college has a slightly different culture, government, dormitory style, and housing process.”

Room and board: $13,000

5. Yale University (New Haven, Connecticut)

Yale University dorm room

One student breaks down campus housing at Yale: “One of my favorite things about Yale is the housing system. When you enter Yale your freshman year you are randomly assigned to one of 12 ‘residential colleges’ which are basically just different dorms you are associated with for the next four years. Each residential college has its own dining hall, common room, and basement with various amenities (your college may have a gym, a theater, a music room, or more!).”

Room and board: $13,500

4. High Point University (High Point, North Carolina)

High Point University student in dorm

“On-campus housing at High Point is incredible! All of the dorms have either been recently renovated or are brand-new,” boasted one student. “The college housing is beautifully maintained, spacious, and upgraded. Even the standard dorms on campus are nicer than what most college students live in during all four years of school.”

Room and board: $11,480

3. Regent University (Virginia Beach, Virginia)

Regent University students in dorm

“Our rooms are so spacious!” raved a student. “Each room has its own kitchen and bathroom along with living room and bedroom; it’s practically an apartment. It’s the greatest thing in the world. It’s such a great place to retreat at the end of the day.”

Room and board: $8,430

2. Bowdoin College (Brunswick, Maine)

Bowdoin College student in dorm

“Bowdoin first-years live in rooms that are nicer than many upperclassmen get at competing schools,” wrote one student. “[Freshman] dorms are equipped with laundry and bike storage in the basements, and the rooms are either quads (a common room and two bedrooms) or doubles (a common room and a bedroom).”

“There is a definite reason why nearly all students choose to live on-campus all four years,” wrote another.

Room and board: $12,388

1. Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, Missouri)

Washington University at St. Louis students in dorm

“The modern dorms are like castles,” said a student.

“The dorms here are wonderful; they are spacious, with nice carpeting and Tempur-Pedic mattresses,” another said. “Most dorms have personal bathrooms shared among 4-6 others, and the school provides cleaning staff to clean the showers, sinks, and bathroom stalls. The dorms are pretty expensive, but they are luxurious compared to many other universities.”

Room and board: $13,502

best college dorms in new england

5: Wellesley College

Review from Niche:

“Wellesley is just magical. It’s an amazing academically rigorous environment (which truth can be told can be brutal at times… very hard work is nonnegotiable)full of driven, intelligent women. The campus is beautiful, and the community is warm and supportive. If you’re looking for party-type fun, it’s not really the place for that, but if you’re looking for a fantastic education, Wellesley is perfect.”

Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts

Stonehill College

4: Stonehill College

Review from Niche:

“All of the students are so nice and professors are always willing to help. The campus is gorgeous and two new buildings are currently being built to expand the campus. It is a very welcoming and warm community.”

Location: Easton, Massachusetts

Smith College

3: Smith College

Review from Niche:

“I am a sophomore transfer student at Smith and I have loved my experience so far. The classes are wonderful and the professors are always helpful and caring. I feel challenged but not completely overwhelmed, even while competing as a student-athlete. The food here is good enough for dorm food. As long as you don’t expect gourmet meals, you should be fine. Smith tries very hard to cater to vegan/vegetarians/allergies, but they could do more, especially for gluten allergies. Because I am so busy, I am not much of a partier, so it’s a positive for me that Smith is not a party school. From what I have heard, the parties are very tame here, which is not for everyone!
Northampton is a cute little town that has just enough to keep me from being bored. The only downside is that the stores and restaurants are all quite expensive.”

Location: Northampton, Massachusetts

Harvard University

2: Harvard University

Review from Niche:

“I am excited to attend Harvard in the fall of 2018 as a freshman. I have visited Harvard and stayed the night, interacting with students, and experienced their diverse nature. I enjoyed my visit and I can’t wait to make new experiences at Harvard.”

Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College

1: Mount Holyoke College

Review from Niche:

“Mount Holyoke College has a beautiful campus and an even more beautiful community. Every student I have met is engaged in their coursework, active in both the community and the world, and is supportive to each other. The teachers ensure you get a wonderful education during your time there and go above and beyond.”

Location: South Hadley, Massachusetts

Housing at MIT is a special experience. There are eleven undergraduate dormitories and nine graduate dorms, with all undergraduate students required to live in an MIT residence during their first year of study.

The residence halls are located near the center of campus and are within walking distance of all academic buildings, dining facilities, and recreational centers. All rooms have carpeting, blinds or drapes, desks, dressers and closets. Every room has a sink; some have baths.

All rooms have cable television access through MIT TV. Wireless internet access is also available to residents living in the undergraduate housing areas on campus.

All residence halls have laundry facilities on each floor for your convenience.


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