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Northwestern University - Campus Housing - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Campus Housing

B-
Where does this grade come from?View all Campus Housing rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Campus Housing Grades:

Quick Stats

On-Campus Housing Available? Yes
Campus Housing Capacity 5,980
Average Housing Costs $6,963
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus? Yes
Undergrads Living On Campus 65%
Freshmen Living On Campus 99%
Number of Dormitories 32
Number of Campus-Owned Apartments 0
Best Freshman Dorms
  • Bobb Hall
  • Elder Residential Community
  • McCulloch Hall
  • Willard Residential College
Best Upperclassman Dorms Kemper Hall
Worst Freshman Dorms
  • North Mid-Quads
  • Slivka Hall
  • South Mid-Quads
Worst Upperclassman Dorms
  • Bobb Hall
  • McCulloch Hall

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Ultimately, campus housing comes down to one thing—North Campus or South Campus. If there's one thing that defines where a student lives, it's what side of the Foster Street divide they live on. North Campus is known for two things—partying and engineering. Ironic, huh? But that's how it falls. The "party" dorms, two freshman dorms (Hinman Lincoln and Elder), and the frat quads are located firmly on North Campus, which means that life here can definitely get rowdy. Also, the proximity to Tech means that plenty of engineering majors find themselves calling North Campus home, although they may not always appreciate the party scene there. South Campus, on the other hand, tends to be a bit quieter and is home to a fair amount of theater and journalism majors. Still, plenty of South Campus residents know how to knock a few back, and a few of the buildings, namely Allison, are some of the more popular dorms on campus. The rivalry between North and South campuses leads to each side claiming theirs is the best, but wherever you live, you'll probably find yourself making friends on the other side of Foster without a problem.

The other important thing to understand about Northwestern residential life is the difference between residence halls and residential colleges. Res colleges are smaller, themed dorms that focus on specific interests, with the exception of Willard, and tend to develop a stronger sense of community and provide events throughout the academic year for residents. Residence halls, on the other hand, tend to be larger and are situated floor by floor either in halls or suites (where six rooms share a lounge and a bathroom), and people don't usually become as close as they do in res colleges. Ultimately, the decision of where you want to live comes down to your interests and what you're looking for from a living space— community, partying, a shower that's used relatively sparingly, a short walk to class, etc. Housing can end up shaping your years at Northwestern or being incredibly trivial, depending on how you approach it.

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Northwestern University Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Housing at Northwestern University

moreforthat

'15

English

4.2
A-

Enjoyed Dorm Life Much More Than I Thought I Would

Cost is a bit high (like everything at Northwestern), but there are a bunch of options for freshman dorms, and I've definitely enjoyed dorm life. South campus is very close to downtown Evanston and humanities classes, while North campus is closer to science classes and also the better gym. Residential colleges provide a nice sense of community, although I know a lot of people perfectly happy in res halls as well.

Jan 23, 2012

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Campus Housing at Northwestern University

sethumz

'14

Music Performance

4.2
A-

Variety

I like the on-campus housing situation at Northwestern because each dorm is different. Some dorms are incredibly social, while in other dorms people never even meet their neighbors. A lot of the rooms are too small, but the amount of students in each dorm is small enough that you should never feel overwhelmed.

Dec 29, 2011

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Campus Housing at Northwestern University

Jdkatzy1

'14

Business Administration and Management

2.3
C

Housing Isn't Great

The campus housing is extremely expensive and usually pretty small. The best dorms are BOB and Elder and they are probably the worst dorms to live in, but are the best social dorms. They all pretty much suck but they are livable. Allison is the nicest dorm, but it is really far away from any parties.

Dec 18, 2011

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Page 1 of 9

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus housing on the following subjects

Facts

Types of Housing Offered
  • Coed dorms
  • Fraternity/sorority housing
  • Men's dorms
  • Theme housing
  • Wellness housing
  • Women's dorms
Room Types
  • Doubles
  • Quads
  • Singles
  • Suites
  • Triples
Bed Types
  • Bunkable beds
  • Twin extra-long
What You Get
  • Bed
  • Desk
  • Ethernet connection
  • Free campus phone service

Cleaning Service

There’s a cleaning staff present five days a week. They keep all common areas neat and clean.

Did You Know?

Northwestern’s residential college system is a part of University housing that receives special funding and offers thematic activities to residents.

Around 900 undergraduates choose to live with their fraternities or sororities.

DormitoriesWhat's This?

1835 Hinman
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites of singles, doubles
Special Features: Computer room, dining hall, kitchenette, library, lounge, TV room, vending machines.

2251 Sheridan
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Lounges, study area, theme house.

584 Lincoln
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchenette, main lounge, TV lounge.

600 Lincoln
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Recreation room, study room, TV room, vending machines.

Allison Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Computer lab, lounges, recreation room with pool tables, study room, TV lounge, vending machines.

Ayers College of Commerce and Industry (CCI)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Computer lab, kitchenettes, library, living room, recreation room, seminar room, TV lounge, vending machines.

Bobb Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Lounges, recreation room, study room, vending machine.

Chapin Hall (Humanities Residential College)
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Computer room, kitchenette, library, lounge, vending machines.

College of Cultural and Community Studies
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Classroom, computer room, kitchenette, living room, recreation room, TV lounge.

East Fairchild (Communications Residential College or CRC)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites with singles and doubles
Special Features: Computer room, darkroom, lounge, radio studio, seminar room, vending machines, video editing facility.

Elder Residential Community
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Dining hall, lounges, recreation and study rooms, TV room, vending machines.

Foster House
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Shared by floor
Coed: No, men only
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Special Features: Main lounge, recreation room, TV room, vending machines.

Foster-Walker Complex
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Shared by four students
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, quads
Special Features: Air-conditioning, dining hall, Healthy Living Unit (substance free), Interfaith Living and Learning Community, kitchenette, lounges, recreation room, services for students with disabilities, vending machines.

Goodrich House
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Built-in furniture, living room, recreation room, TV room.

Hinman House
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Doubles
Special Features: North Side Coffee Company in basement, recreation room, TV room, vending machines.

Hobart House (Women’s Residential College)
Floors: 2
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Semi-private
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Computer lab, kitchenette, library, living room, TV room, vending machines.

Jones Fine and Performing Arts Residential College
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Art and craft studios, computer rooms, dance studios, kitchenette, lounge/performance room, practice rooms, vending machines.

Kemper Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites of singles or doubles
Special Features: Air-conditioning, classroom, kitchenettes, lounge, TV lounge.

Lindgren House (Residential College)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Semi-private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Special Features: Kitchenette, living room, recreation room, TV room, vending machines.

McCulloch Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triple
Special Features: Lounges, recreation room, study room, vending machines.

North Mid-Quads Hall (NMQ)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchenette, recreation room, TV room, vending machines.

Phi Mu Alpha
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, men only
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchenette, lounge, recreation room, rehearsal room, TV lounge.

Public Affairs Residential College
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Shared by suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: suites with singles, doubles
Special Features: Computers, kitchenette, lounge, seminar room, vending machines.

Residences at Seabury-Western
Floors: 2
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites
Special Features: Bedrooms share large living room, centrally located, wireless Internet.

Rogers House
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Semi-private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: High ceiling in communal room, recreation room, spacious living room, TV room.

Sargent Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Dining hall, kitchenette, large main lounge, recreation room, vending machines.

Shepard Residential College
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Classroom, computer room, library, lounge, music practice room, recreation room, TV lounge, vending machines.

Sigma Alpha Iota
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Grand piano, library, lounge, recreation room, TV lounge.

Slivka Hall (Science and Engineering Residential College)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites with singles, doubles
Special Features: The Discovery Room, kitchenette, Lisa’s Café, lounge, music room, recreation area, study lounge.

South Mid-Quads Hall (SMQ)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Kitchenette, recreation room, TV room, vending machines.

West Fairchild (International Studies Residential College, or ISRC)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Suite-style
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites of singles, doubles
Special Features: Activities area, computer room, kitchenette, lounge, seminar room, suites arranged by language, TV room, vending machines.

Willard Residential College
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen, upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples, quads
Special Features: Billiard room, computer room, dining hall, library, “smart” lounge, TV/lounge, vending machines.

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Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

Major: Journalism/Comparative Literary Studies

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