So, you got into Princeton. First off, HUGE congrats! That’s amazing. Now comes the fun part: figuring out where you’re going to live for the next four years. Honestly, choosing a dorm at Princeton is a pretty big deal. It’s more than just a place to sleep; it’s your community, your home base, & your launching pad for everything this incredible university has to offer.
I’ve spent a lot of time getting the inside scoop on Princeton’s housing scene, from the historic charm of Mathey to the modern luxury of Whitman. & let me tell you, there’s a LOT to consider. Are you all about that gothic architecture vibe? Do you need AC like your life depends on it? Are you looking for a super social scene or a quieter, more studious atmosphere?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this guide, I’m going to break down everything you need to know about the best dorms at Princeton, from the freshman residential colleges to the coveted upperclassmen spots. We’ll dive deep into the amenities, the social life, the student reviews, & even the dreaded room draw process. By the end of this, you’ll have a much better idea of where you’ll want to call home.
The Residential College System: Your Home for the First Two Years
Princeton’s residential college system is pretty unique. For your first two years, you’ll be a member of one of seven residential colleges: Whitman, Mathey, Butler, Forbes, Rockefeller, Yeh, or New College West. Each college has its own distinct personality, architecture, & community. It’s kind of like the Hogwarts house system, but with more a cappella concerts & less magic (though some of the architecture is pretty magical, tbh).
Your residential college is where you’ll eat most of your meals, hang out with friends, & get academic advising. It’s designed to create a smaller, more intimate community within the larger university. & honestly, it works. You’ll get to know the people in your college really well, from your fellow freshmen to the upperclassmen who serve as Residential College Advisers (RCAs).
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of each college.
Whitman College: The Lap of Luxury
If you’re looking for a dorm that feels more like a five-star hotel, Whitman College is your spot. It’s one of the newer residential colleges, & it shows. We’re talking state-of-the-art facilities, gorgeous gothic architecture, &—most importantly—air conditioning. Seriously, don’t underestimate the power of AC during those first few hot & humid weeks of September.
Whitman is made up of seven dormitories: Baker Hall, Hargadon Hall, Fisher Hall, Lauritzen Hall, Class of 1981 Hall, Murley-Pivirotto Family Tower, & Wendell Hall. The rooms are generally considered to be some of the best on campus, with many students raving about the clean, modern amenities. You’ll find a mix of singles, doubles, & quads, & most rooms are pretty spacious. One student on RateMyDorm even mentioned that their quad was big enough to fit a futon, an ottoman, a TV, & three scooters!
But Whitman isn’t just about the fancy rooms. It also has a really strong sense of community. There are always events happening, like the weekly “Whitman Whale” where they give out free food & drinks. The college also has a bunch of great amenities, including a dark room, a game room, a theater, & study lounges. Plus, it’s in a prime location, close to the center of campus & the new Yeh & New College West dining hall.
Of course, all this luxury comes at a price. Some students find Whitman to be a bit “artificial” or “crammed” compared to the older, more traditional dorms. & while the dining hall is beautiful, some students say the food isn't the best on campus. But honestly, when you have AC & a room that looks like it’s straight out of a castle, those are pretty minor complaints.
Mathey College: The Quintessential Princeton Experience
If you’re dreaming of that classic, ivy-covered Princeton look, Mathey College is where it’s at. With its stunning gothic architecture & picturesque courtyards, Mathey is what most people imagine when they think of a Princeton dorm. It’s even home to Blair Arch, the largest arch on campus & a popular spot for a cappella concerts.
Mathey is one of the oldest residential colleges, & it has a very strong sense of tradition & community. Students here are proud to be “Moose,” & they show it with their maroon gear & enthusiastic participation in events like the Clash of the Colleges. The college also hosts “Moose Monday,” a weekly social event with free food that’s open to the entire Princeton community.
But living in a historic building has its downsides. The biggest one? No AC. Those first few weeks of school can be pretty brutal, so be prepared to invest in a good fan (or two). The rooms can also be a bit of a mixed bag. Some are huge & perfect for hosting parties, while others are on the smaller side. & be prepared for some quirks, like having to walk up several flights of stairs to do your laundry.
Despite these challenges, many students absolutely love living in Mathey. Its central location is a huge plus, with easy access to Nassau Street, Firestone Library, & many of the main academic buildings. & there’s something undeniably special about living in a place that’s so steeped in Princeton history. As one student put it, "you're guaranteed to spend your first two years living in an actual castle."
Butler College: A Tale of Two Dorms
Butler College is a bit of a paradox. It’s a mix of old & new, with some dorms that are a bit rough around the edges & others that are brand new & beautiful. The older dorms, like 1915 Hall, have that classic Princeton charm but can be a bit dated on the inside. The newer dorms, on the other hand, are modern, spacious, & have that all-important AC.
Butler is located in the southern part of campus, near the "Ellipse Neighborhood" & Poe Field. It’s a bit of a walk from the center of campus, but it has its own vibrant community & a ton of great amenities. Wu Hall, the dining hall for Butler, was recently renovated & is a popular spot for students from all over campus. Butler is also home to Studio 34, a late-night food spot that’s a lifesaver during those all-night study sessions.
The dorms in Butler include 1915 Hall, 1967 Hall, 1976 Hall, Bloomberg Hall, Bogle Hall, Wilf Hall, & Yoseloff Hall. Bloomberg Hall, in particular, is a popular choice for its modern amenities & spacious rooms. One of the cool things about Butler is its unique architecture. The newer dorms have an undulating brick facade that’s meant to echo the curves of the nearby oval-shaped field. It’s a really cool, modern take on the traditional collegiate gothic style.
Overall, Butler is a solid choice for students who want a mix of the old & the new. It may not have the same historic charm as Mathey or the luxurious reputation of Whitman, but it has a strong sense of community, great amenities, & some of the best rooms on campus.
Forbes College: A World Away
Forbes College is known for a few things: its distance from the rest of campus, its amazing Sunday brunch, & its incredibly tight-knit community. Located on the site of the historic Princeton Inn, Forbes has a unique charm that sets it apart from the other residential colleges. It overlooks the Princeton golf course & has a beautiful patio & back lawn that are perfect for relaxing on a sunny day.
The distance from the center of campus is both a pro & a con. On the one hand, it can be a bit of a trek to get to classes, especially if you’re an engineer. But on the other hand, the distance fosters a really strong sense of community. Forbesians (as they’re called) are a proud bunch, & they’ve created a warm & welcoming environment that many students describe as a “home away from home.”
Forbes is a living & learning community that houses about 500 students in a mix of singles, doubles, & triples. The rooms are generally considered to be pretty nice, & the college has a bunch of great amenities, including a black box theater, a dance studio, & its own organic garden. But the real star of the show is the dining hall. Forbes is famous for its Sunday brunch, which features a chocolate fountain that’s the stuff of legends.
If you’re looking for a quieter, more relaxed residential college experience with a strong sense of community, Forbes might be the perfect fit for you. Just be prepared for a bit of a walk to get to the rest of campus. & hey, if you’re bringing a car to campus, that extra distance might not be such a big deal. The only problem is that parking on campus can be a real nightmare. That’s where a service like Prked can come in handy. It’s a pretty cool app that lets you rent someone’s private driveway or garage for a fraction of the cost of a traditional parking garage. So, you can have your car on campus without the stress of finding a spot.
Upperclassmen Housing: The Wild West of Room Draw
Once you’re a junior, you’ll have the option to move into upperclassmen housing. This is where things get really interesting. You’ll be entering the upperclass room draw, a high-stakes lottery that determines where you’ll live for your last two years at Princeton.
The upperclass room draw is a complex process, but here’s the gist of it: you’ll form a group with other students, & your group will be assigned a draw time based on a point system. Seniors get more points than juniors, so they get to pick first. Within your draw time, you’ll get to choose from a list of available rooms. The most coveted rooms go fast, so it’s important to have a strategy & a backup plan.
So, which dorms are the most popular among upperclassmen? According to the Daily Princetonian, Dod Hall, Scully Hall, & Wright Hall are the most in-demand dorms, with all of their rooms being drawn in the upperclass room draw. Patton Hall, Pyne Hall, 1903 Hall, & Walker Hall are also very popular.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most sought-after upperclassmen dorms:
Dod Hall: Located in the Elm Drive Area, Dod Hall is a popular choice for its central location & beautiful architecture. It’s close to many of the eating clubs & academic buildings, making it a convenient option for busy upperclassmen.
Scully Hall: If you’re looking for a modern dorm with all the amenities, Scully Hall is the place to be. It’s an air-conditioned dorm with mostly singles & doubles, which makes it a hot commodity in the room draw. It’s also located in the southern part of campus, near Poe Field, so it has a more relaxed, residential feel.
Wright Hall: Like Dod Hall, Wright Hall is located in the Elm Drive Area & is known for its beautiful architecture & convenient location. It’s a classic Princeton dorm with a lot of charm & character.
Spelman Hall: For students who want a more independent living experience, Spelman Hall is a great option. It’s a co-op where students have their own kitchens & are responsible for their own meals. It’s a bit of a walk from the center of campus, but it has a very strong sense of community.
As you’re preparing for the upperclass room draw, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what’s important to you in a dorm. Do you want to be close to the eating clubs? Do you need a single room? Is AC a must-have? Answering these questions will help you to narrow down your choices & create a realistic wish list.
& if you find yourself with a lot of stuff & not enough space, don’t forget that you can always find affordable storage solutions through Prked. You can rent out someone’s garage, attic, or basement for a fraction of the cost of a traditional storage unit. It’s a great way to declutter your dorm room & make the most of your space.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a dorm at Princeton is a big decision, but the good news is that there are no bad choices. Each residential college & upperclassmen dorm has its own unique charm & community. Whether you end up in the luxurious halls of Whitman or the historic rooms of Mathey, you’re sure to have an incredible experience.
The best advice I can give you is to talk to current students, visit the different dorms if you can, & think about what’s most important to you in a living space. & don’t stress too much about the room draw process. It may seem daunting, but it all works out in the end.
Hope this was helpful, & let me know what you think in the comments
