University of Chicago - Campus Housing

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Quick Stats

On-Campus Housing Available?		Yes
Campus Housing Capacity		2,775
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus?		Yes
Undergrads Living On Campus		60%
Freshmen Living On Campus		100%
Number of Dormitories		8
Number of Campus-Owned Apartments		2
Best Freshman Dorms		Max Palevsky Residential Commons
Best Upperclassman Dorms		Stony Island House
Best Dorms		Max Palevsky South Campus Residence Hall
Worst Dorms		Maclean
Worst Freshman Dorms		Broadview Hall
Worst Upperclassman Dorms		Maclean Hall

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The dorm system at the University of Chicago is incredibly unique, as there are houses (very similar to Hogwarts, minus the "Sorting Hat"). Each freshman is put into a "house" based on where they live; it's usually a floor or two of whatever dorm you're assigned to. Within the house, you have a wide mix of freshmen and upperclassmen. Even the people who've moved out of housing still feel some house pride. With your house, you'll do a lot. You'll go on trips downtown to the movies or a show or anything in Chicago. It's also the group of people that you'll hang out with at night and on weekends, at least at the beginning of your year. You'll eat with them in the dining halls at your specific house table. It's a great support system to lean back on as you begin you college career.

As for the dorms themselves, you can live in a variety of different places. There are more modern buildings, like Max Palevsky, which have private bathrooms for every four people. Places like Pierce and Snell-Hitchcock are a little bit older, but the community is a lot closer knit. You can get farther away from the hustle and bustle of campus at places like Maclean, Stony Island, Burton-Judson, Breckinridge, and Broadview. Then, there's South Campus right across the Midway, which has a combination of quads, doubles, singles, and apartments. Whichever dorm you choose, you'll have easy access to the quad just by walking or taking some of the free buses. They're all fairly spacious, but for some dorms, the cleaning is up to you. This is especially true in Max Palevsky. All in all, housing at the University of Chicago is a unique assortment of dorms with individual styles but underlying themes of house unity and a sense of belonging.

Chicago Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Housing at University of Chicago

edith1

'13

Philosophy

A

Dorms

maybe I am sort of bias because I have the good fortune of living in a new dorm.

Dec 16, 2011

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Campus Housing at University of Chicago

maroon515

'15

Economics

A

Variety in Dorms

Depending on your choice of dorm, you could go with aesthetics in the gothic feel of BJ, social aspect of Pierce (and the amenity of an in house dining hall, though at the cost of small rooms), the spacious singles of south (and the freedom of being farther removed from campus), or the "typical" college dorm of Max P. All have their advantages/disadvantages, so decide which aspect you're really going for.

Sep 24, 2011

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Campus Housing at University of Chicago

emilysiegel

'13

Public Policy Analysis

A

No We Don't Choose Houses Out of a Sorting Hat...

One of the most unique aspects to UChicago, and one of my personal favorites, is our house system. Every dorm here is split into houses of about 50-100 students, depending on the size of the dorm. These houses share resident heads, resident assistants, and house lounges. They go on house trips together, (such as to a show, restaurant or baseball game) and each house has 2 tables assigned to them in the dining hall where students in that house are encouraged to sit. The house system is such a nice community and support system to have, especially your first few years here. All of my closest friends, and favorite memories on campus, have come from my house!

Aug 09, 2011

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Blackstone Bathroom

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus housing on the following subjects

Facts

Types of Housing Offered		Apartments for married students Coed dorms Fraternity/sorority housing
Room Types		Doubles Singles Suite-style
Bed Types		Bunkable beds Lofts Twin extra-long
What You Get		Bed Bookshelves Corded telephone Desk and chair Dresser Lighting Window treatments
Also Available		Coed dorm rooms (e.g., mixed-gender roommates) by request International House Smoke-free living

Available for Rent

MicroFridges

Cleaning Service

Yes, in public areas. Community bathrooms are cleaned by staff approximately once a week.

Did You Know?

Upperclassmen, grad students, and interns can apply to live in the most coveted International House, known as "I-House." It is a residence that hosts culture festivals, political lectures, and other programs. It also serves as a hotel.

DormitoriesWhat's This?

Breckenridge House
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Community kitchen, computer lab, high ceilings, main lounge with grand piano and fireplace, music practice room, recreation room, study lounges, weight room

Broadview Hall
Floors: 7
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Private
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Community kitchen and dining room, computer lab, exercise room, game room, library, music room; a former hotel built in the classical style; home to Palmer, Talbot, and Wick houses

Burton-Judson Courts
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Common lounges, computer lab, courtyards, on-site dining, recreation room with ping-pong and pool tables, TV lounge; home to Chamberlin, Coulter, Dodd-Mead, Linn-Mathews, Salisbury, and Vincent houses

Maclean House
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Special Features: Community kitchen and dining area, computer lab, exercise room, game room, lounges, meeting room, side yard, TV lounge; named after Norman Maclean, who authored "A River Runs Through It" and taught at Chicago for 45 years.

Max Palevsky Residential Commons
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites (singles, doubles)
Special Features: Computer lab, laundry facilities, lounges, music rooms, rec room, study lounges, TV lounge; close to library and Bartlett Dining Commons; home to Alper, Flint, Graham, Hoover, May, Rickert, Wallace, and Woodward houses

Pierce Tower
Floors: 10
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles
Special Features: Community kitchenettes, computer lab, fireplaces, game rooms, music practice room, on-site dining, outdoor terrace for barbecues, study library, study lounges, TANSTAFFL community space ("There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"); excellent views of Chicago's skyline; home to Henderson, Shorey, Thompson, Tufts

Snell-Hitchcock Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Community kitchens, computer labs, reading room with baby grand piano and fireplace, recreation rooms, TV lounge and tearoom

South Campus Residence Hall
Floors: 6
Number of Occupants: 750–999
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, apartments (doubles)
Special Features: Building commons, courtyards, lounges, music practice room, reading room, street-level café and convenience store, study rooms. South Campus West is home to DelGiorno, Halperin, Keller, and Kenwood houses; South Campus East is home to Chautauqua, Crown, Jannotta, and Wendt houses.

Campus-Owned ApartmentsWhat's This?

Blackstone House
Floors: 6
Number of Units: 25–49
Bathrooms: Private by unit
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Two-bedroom apartments
Short walk to 57th Street
Special Features: Units include kitchenette with table and chairs; building features computer lab, elevator, main lounge with fireplace, grand piano, solarium, TV lounge

Stony Island House
Floors: 4
Number of Units: 25–49
Bathrooms: Private (two per unit)
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Two-bedroom apartments (doubles)
Residents have to sign a waiver guaranteeing that they’ll keep the noise level down to live in what most U of C students call “the nicest apartments in Hyde Park.”
Special Features: Units include full kitchen, furnished living areas; building features computer lab, exercise room, laundry facilities, TV lounge

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at Chicago

Name: Liane Rousseau

Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio

Major: English Language and Literature

Grad Year: 2012

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