The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Rating residence halls: Students take closer look at on-campus housing

For most incoming students, choosing a resident hall is one of the hardest decisions to make freshman year. It not only marks the beginning of a new, independent life, but usually influences who you become friends with, how much time you’ll spend in the dorm and whether you should stuff that fourth suitcase or not. So where are the best places to live? Just hear what their residents have to say:

Virginia-Snider

“Virginia-Snider is an amazing hall to live in.  It’s filled with fun and interesting people, yet still manages to be fairly quiet at night.  Residents are respectful of each other’s study habits, but also know how to have fun around campus.  V-S is known as one of the more creative and academic communities on campus, but there is much more of a social scene than would be expected. Many people know each other and like to hang out in both the study and ‘party’ lounges.  While some people not living here think it is too quiet, I believe it has the right balance of being an academic and social atmosphere, making it the best hall to live in on campus.” -Anthony McAuliffe

Shuttles

“Living in Shuttles is wonderful; I love it! Everyone is extremely nice and welcoming, especially the RA’s, who really seem to care about your well-being and make an effort to have people on the floors know each other. With nice centrally located lounges on each floor, many students get together and study or do work since there are huge tables and nice couches. One of the best perks – the suite style bathrooms. I love not having to carry my stuff to the bathroom or deal with the awkward, early morning teeth-brushing conversations. Shuttles has students from all years, so you are sure to get to know more than just freshmen. It’s a great study atmosphere, and it is so close to many of the buildings, especially Umphrey Lee and the shops across the street when you need that late-night snack.”  -Kaylin Flores

 

Mary-Hay & Peyton

“The Fine Arts Community (FAC) on the SMU campus is comprised of Mary-Hay and Peyton residence halls. While other halls have their distinct advantages and ‘cultures,’ none can compare to the creative uniqueness of the FAC. When one enters  through the door of Mary Hay, it is not uncommon to be greeted by rapturous piano music and voice accompaniment. With this background and the natural spunk of the artistically inclined, living in Mary Hay or Peyton has the feel of an arts conservatory in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple.” -Adriana Martinez

Boaz

“Boaz is the best dorm on campus. I love the fact that every time I come back it is like coming back to a little family of friends that all hang out, go out and help each other out. At any given time you can pop your head in a room and talk to someone. Some people think you can’t study, but the lounges and your room are easy places to study in, just like the other dorms. A huge part of college is meeting people, and if you’re looking for that, and a good time, then Boaz is the place to be.” – Billy Embody

Morrison-McGinnis

“MoMc is a great place to live and has one of the best basements on campus, stacked with leather couches, a flat screen and even a Wii. There are suite style dorms, doubles with a community bathroom and even singles if you’re the type of person who needs time alone after a hectic day. If the size of the rooms and the basement do not make MoMc sound good, perhaps knowing that it has had the best hall council for the past two years, will prove the point. Housing students of all years, it is definitely one of the quieter dorms on campus, and you do have to make an effort to know your floor. The only complaint is that it is so far from most academic buildings. We do have Mac’s Place right across the quad though!” -Tarry Machaka

 

McElvaney

“McElvaney is one of the best choices for freshmen. First off, it’s an all-freshmen dorm, so you get to meet many people who are in the same boat as you.  Of course, you have the community bathrooms, which get a little interesting at times, but you eventually get used to it. There’s also a little more commotion at nights, but that’s typical for a freshman dorm. The best part about Mac is definitely Mac’s Place.  The fact that we don’t have to leave the dorm to get food is pretty awesome.  Plus some of the food at Mac’s is way better than Umphrey Lee, so you really can’t go wrong living in this dorm. Just be prepared for some noisy hallways at times.” -Max Hamburger

Cockrell-Mackintosh

“I anticipated empty lounges, quiet hallways and residents more interested in sig figs and complicated formulas than maintaining a social agenda.  However, life amid the engineers has not proven boring, dull or quiet in any sense.  Neighbors leave their doors open, friends study and socialize in the lounges, residents actually go out, even during the school week.  In addition, the suite-style dorm [rooms] beat the tight quarters of McElvaney and are both convenient and clean.  “Cock-Intosh” provides you with the environment necessary to succeed academically, but, at the same time, gives you the opportunity to bond with a diverse group of individuals. It’s definitely a work-hard, play-hard atmosphere.” -Mackenzie Ferch

Smith & Perkins

“Perkins is the best hall to live in! We are allowed to keep our doors open, giving us the opportunity to meet people. We have activities like tye-dying parties, ice cream socials, decorate-your-cookie parties and a Smerkins’ dance. All of the RA’s  were Hilltop Scholars in the past; they are willing to help no matter what the problem or condition because they honestly want to make our freshman year the best yet.” -Amanda Thornton

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