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Comparable Schools'
Campus Housing Grades:
Quick StatsUndergrads Living on Campus
94 %
Best Dorms
- Mead
- New Dorm
- Safford
- Wilder
Number of Campus Owned Apartments
3
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus
Yes
College Prowler Take
It’s worth noting that Mount Holyoke is said to have “dorms like palaces.” While there are some dorms that are perpetually last to be chosen, you’re never going to find yourself living in a converted closet. Most rooms are spacious enough, especially since the New Dorm was built, alleviating a housing crunch. All dorms offer common rooms, computer labs, kitchens (if there isn’t a dining hall), and both single-sex and unisex bathrooms. There are many beautiful dorms on campus and many older ones that have their unique charms. Many students opt for a dorm “on the Green” in the center of campus for convenience, but there are also students who are adamant about living on the edges of campus because of the feeling of “getting away from it all.” Students generally base their choice of dorm on personal preference, although the word is that Prospect and 1837 are to be avoided if possible. This is a very residential campus, with nearly all students living on campus or in college-owned apartments a few minutes away. You work here, you play here, and you live here, which is undoubtedly one of the contributing factors to the strong sense of community you will find at MHC. All class years live in each dorm, except for Pearsons Annex and Dickinson Hall, providing opportunities for inter-class friendships. There is a friendly competition between dorms, especially during Disorientation, a tradition that occurs every fall and serves to unite first years and seniors through a series of dorm pride and “initiation” events. Seniors devise activities for “their” first years to do, such as steal another dorm’s banner or give a performance during dinner. Don’t worry though—hazing is prohibited. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
thworldshines says: Mount Holyoke College 2014 Social Sciences  |
The dorms on campus can be...
The dorms on campus can be roughtly broken up as follows: "Across the Lake"—1837, Prospect, Mandelles. It's a bit of a walk to classes, but the tradeoff is quietness and a lake view. What weed scene there is tends to center around the Dells and nearby Dells hill. "On the Green"—Mead, Wilder, Safford, Porter, Brigham, Rockefellers. They have old, wood floors, and small but unique rooms. They're in the center of campus, so they can be a little loud. "Athletics"—Torrey, Ham, MacGregor. This is where you'll find many athletes, as it is near the gym and Ham/MacG are closest to the equestrian center. Torrey has big rooms, and Ham/MacG are in my opinion the ugliest dorms with little community. "Across the Street"—Dickinson and Pearsons. They are across Route 116. Dickinson is all upperclassmen and the farthest from campus. The tradeoff is your own balcony and a real feeling of independence. Both are old dorms, but Pearsons is a perennial favorite as it is close to the library. The New Dorm is close to the center of campus. It's spacious and modern, but in my opinion, lacks the soul of other dorms and feels very 'state school.' Abbey/Buckland is a bit on the edge of campus but is an easy walk to classes (no hills). Some rooms are carpeted, and there's lots of space. It's quiet except when there are events in Chapin auditorium—like Vegas night—when you will get no sleep.
Campus Housing: December 01, 2008
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Anonymous says: |
I lived in these dorms my first,...
I lived in these dorms my first, sophomore, junior, and senior years, respectively—South Rocky, Torrey, Mead, and Torrey—and loved all of them. Even if I had crummy numbers, I always got the rooms I wanted, the size I wanted, with the view that I wanted. While Pearsons and the Delles (Mandelles) are hotspots, I preferred to be more central to campus and not have to walk across the street or across bridges. |
Anonymous says: |
Dorm to avoid: Prospect. The...
Dorm to avoid: Prospect. The nicest modern dorm is MacGregor. The dorms are wonderful—every room includes a closet, bed, desk, bookshelf, and dresser for each person, with the exception of some converted singles. Room sizes vary, but are large overall. The dorms fit into two categories: modern dorms and old dorms. The modern dorms are nice, with large rooms, and modern facilities. The old dorms are charming, and some of them have been renovated inside, although the room sizes vary greatly. |
Anonymous says: |
There’s a difference between a...
There’s a difference between a house and a home. Likewise, there’s a difference between a dorm and a home. The main difference is people. You might be in a dorm you hate, but if you’re with friends, then suddenly it isn’t that bad. The whole issue is rather a moot point, though. I don’t think there are any bad dorms on campus, just ones that don’t suit certain people. If you like being close to the gym, for example, perhaps Torrey is the place for you. I like being a healthy distance away from the gym, and I like walking places, so I prefer the Mandelles. Likewise, if you like quirky architecture in the place you live, Abbey or the Rockies might be your thing. If architecture doesn’t bother you, then live in Buckland. Each dorm has its good points and not-so-good points, but it’s up to you to decide what they are—and whether they make for a ‘good’ dorm or a ‘bad’ one. |
Anonymous says: |
Dorm life is one of the best...
Dorm life is one of the best experiences of Mount Holyoke. The older dorms are my favorite. I lived in Brigham junior year, which has hardwood floors and, if you live on the fourth floor, sloped ceilings. The downstairs area was so homey, with a comfortable living room and TV room. You become very close to the women in your dorm, creating your own home. You get the closeness and sisterhood of a sorority, but in a small dorm without all of the sorority fuss. |
FactsWhat You Get
- Bed
- Bookcase
- Desk and chair
- Dresser
- Ethernet connection
- Mirror
- Phone jack
- Window coverings
Room Types
- Apartments
- Doubles
- Quads (a few)
- Singles
- Suites
- Triples
Available for Rent
MicroFridge (minifridge with microwave), but only in dorms where this will not blow a fuse!
Bed Types
- Bunkable beds
- Standard twin
Also Available
- The College owns a few off-campus apartments, which require an application process to get into. They are located at 3 Park Street, 24 Silver Street, and 17 Morgan Street.
Cleaning Service
There is a cleaning service provided for public bathrooms and common areas. Bathrooms are cleaned once a day on weekdays. Students are expected to clean there own rooms.
Dormitories
1837 Hall
Floors: 5 plus Basement
Number of Occupants: 140
Bathrooms: Shared by 24 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 49 singles, 45 doubles, 1 apartment
Most of the singles in this dorm are conjoined singles, meaning that there is a door in the wall between each pair (which can be kept locked if desired). It’s like living in a double and a single at the same time. This dorm was named after the year that Mary Lyon founded Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, which later became the College.
Abbey Hall
Floors: 3 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 94
Bathrooms: Shared by 26 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 52 singles, 12 doubles, 4 triples, 1 quad, 1 apartment
Quiet floor, FP (Frances Perkins scholars) housing.
Brigham Hall
Floors: 4 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 85
Bathrooms: Shared by 19 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 33 singles, 20 doubles, 3 triples, 1 apartment
FP housing. This is the oldest dorm on campus, being the first one built after fire destroyed the original Seminary building in 1897.
Buckland Hall
Floors: 5 plus Basement
Number of Occupants: 120
Bathrooms: Shared by 24 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 39 singles, 39 doubles, 1 triple
FP (Frances Perkins scholars) housing. This dorm was named for Buckland, Massachusetts, the birthplace of Mary Lyon (founder of Mount Holyoke).
Dickinson Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 56
Bathrooms: Shared by 11 residents
Residents: Sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 22 singles, 17 doubles
There is a full kitchen on each floor, plus one larger kitchen on the first floor. This dorm was renovated in 2001. Prior to the fall of that year, it was housing for FPs. It is the smallest dorm on campus, and one of three located across the street from the main campus.
Ham Hall
Floors: 6 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 157
Bathrooms: Shared by 21 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 62 singles, 36 doubles, 5 quads, 1 apartment
Special Features: Balcony on each floor, conjoined singles. This is the foreign language hall, housing foreign fellows and hosting foreign language tables. Foreign language tables meet once a week over a meal, and provide an opportunity for students to practice speaking the language.
MacGregor Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 132
Bathrooms: Shared by 30 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 24 singles, 48 doubles, 4 triples
Special Features: Each room has a bay window (with a view of Upper Lake, if you’re lucky enough to be on that side of the building) and a window seat. Each floor has a balcony. This dorm is built on a hill. In the winter, there is sometimes a thin sheet of ice on this hill, and you can slide down it (intentionally or unintentionally!) on your way to class.
Mead Hall
Floors: 4 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 135
Bathrooms: Shared by 26 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 34 singles, 40 doubles, 6 triples, 1 apartment
This dorm was named for Elizabeth Mead, president of the College from 1890–1900.
North Mandelle Hall
Floors: 4 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 105
Bathrooms: Shared by 20 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 68 singles, 14 doubles, 1 triple, 1 apartment, 2 suites
Connected to South Mandelle, FP housing, quiet floor, sunroom. The building that houses North and South Mandelle was originally called Hillside (after the large hill it is situated on and that continues on behind it) but was renamed in 1930.
North Rockefeller Hall
Floors: 4 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 94
Bathrooms: Shared by approximately 19 residents
Room Types: 38 singles, 16 doubles, 7 triples, 1 apartment
Connected to South Rockefeller, houses a sunroom.
Pearsons Annex
Floors: 2
Number of Occupants: 12
Bathrooms: Shared by 4 residents
Residents: FPs (exclusively)
Room Types: 12 singles
Full kitchen
Pearsons Hall
Floors: 4 plus Basement
Number of Occupants: 136
Bathrooms: Shared by 17 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 28 singles, 52 doubles, 3 triples
Renovated in 2000, this is the largest dorm on campus, and one of three across the street from the main campus. The basement is said to be haunted.
Porter Hall
Floors: 4 plus Basement
Number of Occupants: 100
Bathrooms: Shared by 14 residents
Residents: First-years, sophomores, juniors, seniors
Room Types: 24 singles, 29 doubles, 6 triples
The first floor houses office space for the Speaking, Arguing, and Writing Program (SAW) and the Weissman Center for Leadership. Named after Deacon Porter, a trustee of the College from 1836 to 1877, and one of Mary Lyon’s good friends.
Prospect Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 144
Bathrooms: Shared by 27 residents
Room Types: 48 singles, 48 doubles
This is typically the least coveted dorm; although many of its rooms have great views of Lower Lake, it feels like a concrete box inside. Stories abound of how it was originally meant as a temporary dorm, and then wound up staying.
Safford Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 72
Bathrooms: Shared by 22 residents
Room Types: 18 singles, 27 doubles
This hall is the second oldest residence hall on campus (after Brigham).
South Mandelle Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 90
Bathrooms: Shared by 28 residents
Room Types: 51 singles, 15 doubles, 1 apartment, 1 suite
Connected to North Mandell, houses a sunroom.
South Rockefeller Hall
Floors: 4 plus basement
Number of Occupants: 89
Bathrooms: Shared by approximately 18 residents
Room Types: 40 singles, 8 doubles, 10 triples, 1 apartment
Connected to North Rockefeller, houses a sunroom.
Torrey Hall
Floors: 4 plus mezzanine
Number of Occupants: 126
Bathrooms: Shared by 23 residents
Room Types: 43 singles, 38 doubles, 1 quad, 1 apartment
A lot of athletes live here, as this is the closest dorm to Kendall Sports and Dance Complex.
Wilder Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100
Bathrooms: Shared by 25 residents
Room Types: 22 singles, 38 doubles, 1 apartment
The Golden Pear dining area, available to all students by reservation, is located on the first floor.
Campus Owned Apartments
17 Morgan Street
Application process required
24 Silver Street
Application process required
3 Park Street
Application process required
Did You Know?Most residence hall rooms are singles or doubles. There are also some triples and a few quads, and a small number of suites (a combination of singles and doubles in an enclosed area, with a shared private bathroom). Single rooms are reserved for juniors and seniors, with some available to sophomores who enter the singles lottery, which takes place towards the beginning of the school year. On-campus apartments, within residence halls, are also available to groups of three or four upperclasswomen. These include their own bathroom and kitchen facilities, plus at least two bedroom/living areas. Students have room keys (and sometimes closet keys) but no dorm keys! Why? To get into a dorm, you need to swipe your OneCard in the card reader outside the door. Seniors are guaranteed singles. North Mandelle Hall and Abbey Hall each have one floor designated as a quiet floor, which means that, in general, people are expected to keep their noise out of the hallways to a greater extent than is necessary on other floors. To get a room on a quiet floor, you must sign into the floor on dorm-choosing night. All residence halls are smoke-free and handicap accessible. Why are there so many apartments within residence halls? These are the former HR (Head Resident) apartments. Each dorm had an HR, an adult who lived in the dorm and made sure things didn’t get too wild. When this position was eliminated, the apartments were opened up to students. Students are big participants in Residential Life. Each floor has a Student Advisor and each dorm has a hall president; their jobs are to act as liaisons between students and Residence Life. They also plan floor and hall activities and are a valuable source of advice for first-year students.
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