Top 10 Colleges for Dormers

Dorming away at school serves as a vital part of most college experiences. It teaches you how to live on your own, while still being connected to a greater community. While it may be a freaky thought, there are lots of options for dorms for every college. Every school has different dorm quality than others. But what colleges have the very best dorms?

Read on about the top 10 colleges for dorming:

10. Bennington College

Fittingly in Bennington, Vermont, this private liberal arts school will be a solid pick for dorms. Well, to clarify, Bennington does not have dorms, it has houses. Each house has 30 to 40 students living within each one. This gives students a more tightly-knit feeling with one another rather than just waving at each other in a dorm building. There are six different house communities to pick from, so choose whichever has your floor or lifestyle of choice.

“It’s beautiful. So for the house I lived in the longest (Perkins) I had a single room (everyone eventually has a single) and it was a gorgeous room. Right outside of my window there are pine trees and mountains and it’s a dream because Perkins is a new house, the soundproof system is great but also the doors are heavy and in winter the heating can get too hot. And for colonial houses, it’s mostly wooden floors and wooden doors, it has a feel to them and usually isn’t that much “dorm looking” and winter heating isn’t as stuffy as new houses,” Bennington College graduate Xiao said.

For campus life, the dining halls have options for everyone, whether it’s vegan, halal or meat-eaters. A shuttle service allows for students to quickly get to the store or even the airport. However, while the campus has rich nature, their sports groups are rather on and off. There are dozens of other clubs for students to get involved with, such as writing or even roleplayers. Just note that they have no Greek life whatsoever. 

9. Rice University

Rice University in Houston Texas offers many options for any kind of student. Undergraduate, graduate, summer, and off-campus options are all available depending on which category you fit into. With 11 dorm buildings to pick from, there are lots of options. The off-campus apartments are all lush and modern. Dorms like the Monaco Main even feature a swimming pool!

Beautiful trees line the entire campus, hiding the school behind it. Students with a keen eye may find paintings and sculptures featured in every nook and cranny. Students have access to kitchens, wood workshops, digital media spaces, and countless labs. There are also gyms, courtyards, and fitness classes for students to keep in shape. Rice University houses lots to do for dormers!

8. University of Kentucky

Located in, surprisingly, Lexington Kentucky, this college has lots to choose from. Students pick from 11 different dorm buildings, located on either the North or Central campus. The North Campus has several dining options while still being close to downtown Lexington. Students around Central Campus can take a quick trip to the science and recreation centers, with Kroger Field close by as well. Each building has lots of room choices to pick from, whether it’s a single, double, or group. 

The University of Kentucky has a very active community. Men’s sports have 13 options, while Women’s sports have 14 options. Many students take part in Greek life, with 23% in fraternities and 30% in sororities. With almost 350 clubs, there is something for everyone. Finding your club of choice brings you into a whole new world of connections and friendships.

7. Bryn Mawr

For the girls, Bryn Mawr only accepts female students. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, this school has 13 dorm buildings to choose from. Some of these buildings, like Rhoads North and South, make you feel like royalty with how castle-like the buildings are designed. Unfortunately, that beauty comes with age. The dorms have no air conditioning, making it difficult to live there during the warmer times of the year.

As an all-female college, there are some big differences at Bryn Mawr. Obviously, no boys are allowed. As such, there are no male clubs, with 12 sports to choose from. There’s no Greek life, but still 130 clubs to join. There are four main traditions — Welcome-the-First-Years Week, Parade Night, Lantern Night, and May Day.

6. Scripps College

For girls looking for a breath-taking all-female university, Scripps may be your choice. Located in Claremont, California, Scripps has 11 unique residence halls to live in. From singles, doubles, quads, and more, students can live in just about any type of dwelling they want. Most prominently, the campus’s stunning beauty draws in many students. It serves as a hub for students to go hiking in the mountains, venturing through a desert, or swimming at a beach.

“I have only lived in the “newer” dorms. Freshman year I was in Routt, Sophmore year I worked for Campus Life in Kimberly, and this year I am back in Routt. All dorms come with a bed, a shelf, a dresser, and sometimes a chair. The reason I stick to the newer buildings is I’ve seen mixed furniture in the “classic” buildings (Clarke, Toll, Browning, Dorsey) and I just prefer the newer furniture. If aesthetic is what you’re looking for, the classics have lots of nice old furniture and study spaces. But the newer buildings (Froutt (Frankel Routt) Wilbo (Kimberly Wilbur) Schow and Revelle) make more sense as buildings. Schow, the newest building is the best merge of aesthetics and practicality. Oh GJW is also newer,” Scripps junior Lilli Beth Gardner said.

Scripps has a less active club world than most other schools. With only 32 registered student organizations, it may be a bit more difficult to find one that suits you. However, they don’t fall short in sports, with 12 sports to choose from, such as diving and lacrosse. Passion drives everyone, whether for a social issue or their own studies. For those who strive for adventure, you cannot go wrong with Scripps.

5. Bowdoin

At Bowdoin, students MUST live on campus. Literally, if you’re enrolled, you have to dorm. Students enter a yearly lottery to decide where they’ll be living. With eight residence halls, there are plenty of options. There’s even a lottery for off-campus apartments if you prefer a bit more luxury. 

“Campus life is great! Very communal environment and students are always studying in common spaces. The main quad is full of kids soaking up the sun during the warmer months. During the cold months, Bowdoin sets up a hockey field on the frozen water on the quad too! Campus is very easily walkable and most just have a bike to get around. We have an Amtrak station about 5 minutes walk away from campus that goes to Portland and Boston, making transit easy,” Bowdoin junior Noah Saperstein said.

Each floor has its own RA and proctor, who are trained to be role models for their fellow students. Bowdoin has 130 clubs to join, as well as a variety of sports. However, do note that fraternities and sororities are strictly prohibited. Its location in Brunswick, Maine’s safety and beauty make it a great overall area to settle down in. For a chill yet engaging experience, Bowdoin may be your choice.

4. Texas Christian University

The lavish residence halls of Texas Christian University make you feel like you’re walking into a bougie hotel. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, campus life infused itself into this college. With over 5,000 dorming students, the campus’s design allows for everyone to create friendships and bond with one another. First-years are restricted to eight different residence halls, while upperclassmen choose from a variety of apartment buildings with pools, gyms, and more. Each building allows for singles, doubles, triples, and groups which are perfect for any sized group.

“Clark Hall was my first year. It was a communal style res hall, which definitely made me nervous at first. As I moved in, I instantly fell in love. I made friends with my entire floor instantly, and we developed a phenomenal sense of community within the first couple weeks of being at TCU. I would often leave my door open, as I knew that people would pop in and say hi often,” Texas Christian University junior Ryan Thorpe said.

Texas Christian University has lots to do. With over 275 clubs and sports teams, students easily keep active outside of the classroom. Concerts, exhibitions, and even comedy shows all take place at different moments on campus. The lively and active campus keeps everything in constant motion. No matter the time of day or what kind of person you are, you can always find something fun to take part in.

3. Kansas State University

At Kansas State University, everyone you see wears a smile. The Princeton Review decided that this college was the friendliest in the nation. Their health and career services, among others, are some of the best options. With 10 residence halls split into three different communities, everyone has their own spot. Summer, gender-inclusive, honors, and other options are available for more specific student needs.

Kansas State University has over 400 student clubs. From teams, community service groups, religious, political, or the classic fraternities and sororities, everyone has something to join. Each residence community has its own study areas, computer labs, game rooms, and much more. Their award-winning dining halls even have food made from scratch, so expect fresh and new food every day. Beauty and fun hide in every corner of Kansas State University, with lots to explore.

2. Emory University

The dorms of Emory University are all modern with lots to do around campus. Located in Atlanta, Georgia, there are over 20 residence halls to live in. The rooms are carpeted and air-conditioned, meaning you’ll always be comfy and cozy during any season. Students have full access to communal kitchens and laundry facilities, and some even have gyms and dining halls within them. Each hall has its own cool flair and aesthetic to it, keeping each one fresh and unique. 

Emory University strives to make everything as convenient as possible for students. Bus systems are in place for students to quickly get to and from wherever they must be on campus. They even have their own Barnes and Noble to pick up a textbook or any other type of book. It’s easy to keep active with dozens of clubs, frats, sororities, and sports teams to join. Emory has just about everything you need.

1. Washington University in St. Louis

Stepping into Washington University in St. Louis feels like you’re entering a whole new world. The gigantic campus features South 40, which contains 10 resident halls. South 40 has its own student government, businesses, service centers, stores and just about anything else you’d find in a normal city. There are both modern and traditional dorm buildings to live in, all with single, double, and triple options. First-year students are required to live on campus, prepping them for the real world within their own little city.

“The South 40 is a vibrant and stunning place to be. Many of the buildings are new, and the architecture honestly makes you feel like you’re at Disneyland. I’m moving out of my dorm a week from today, and I am becoming very sentimental thinking about not living on the 40 anymore. WashU Res Life is perfectly designed to connect you to your fellow students in a space where you feel as though you belong,” Washington University in St. Louis junior Marielle Marrow said.

Action and fun activities always pump across campus. Students choose from over 400 clubs, and sports and it even has a solid Greek life. South 40 allows students to start up their own businesses or participate in its student government. It makes students fully sustainable on their own, with everything they need being on campus. Washington University in St. Louis houses a truly robust and unique community.