So, You Got Into Dartmouth. Let's Talk About the Real Big Decision: Your Dorm.

Hey there, future Dartmouth student! Congrats on getting in. Seriously, take a moment & pat yourself on the back. You’ve conquered the application process, & now you’re probably daydreaming about crisp Hanover autumns, late-night study sessions at Baker-Berry library, & maybe even jumping in the Connecticut River. All that is coming, I promise. But first, let’s talk about something that feels HUGE right now: where you're going to live.

Honestly, choosing a dorm at Dartmouth is a bit of a rite of passage. There’s so much lore, so many opinions, & every upperclassman will have a story about their freshman year dorm. The truth is, there’s no single "best" dorm—it all comes down to what YOU want your first year to look like. Are you all about the social scene? Do you crave modern amenities? Or is a quiet, scenic vibe more your speed?

I've been around the block a few times & have seen the ins & outs of pretty much every dorm on campus. So, let’s break it down, cluster by cluster, so you can get the real inside scoop.

Dartmouth groups its dorms into larger "House Communities," & as a freshman, you'll likely land in one of a few key clusters. Each has its own distinct personality, pros, & cons.

Let's start with the one you've probably already heard whispers about: McLaughlin. Nicknamed "Hotel McLaughlin" by students, this cluster is widely considered the most luxurious place to live on campus, especially for freshmen. And honestly, the name fits. These are the newest dorms, & it shows. We're talking modern design, air conditioning (a HUGE plus in the early fall & late spring), & renovated interiors.

The rooms themselves are a major draw. You'll mostly find singles & two-room doubles. That means even if you have a roommate, you'll likely have your own separate space to sleep & study, which is a luxury you won't find in many other dorms. The bathrooms are another major selling point—they're often private or single-use, so you don't have to worry about a long wait for a shower. Plus, there's a snack bar right in the cluster, which is AMAZING for those late-night cravings.

But here’s the thing about McLaughlin: it’s not just about the fancy amenities. It’s also the hub for Dartmouth’s Living Learning Communities (LLCs). These are themed communities where you can live with students who share your interests, whether it's entrepreneurship, global issues, or the arts. If you're accepted into an LLC, you're pretty much guaranteed a spot in McLaughlin. This can be a fantastic way to find your people right from the start, as you'll be surrounded by classmates who are passionate about the same things you are.

The only real "downside" to McLaughlin is its location. It's a bit of a hike from the center of campus, though not as far as the River cluster. But hey, a little extra walking never hurt anyone, right? Plus, the perks of living in such a modern & comfortable space often outweigh the extra steps for most students.

If you want a blend of modern living without being too far from the action, East Wheelock might be your perfect match. This cluster, which includes dorms like Andres, McCulloch, Morton, & Zimmerman, is known for its recently renovated spaces & strong sense of community.

Like McLaughlin, East Wheelock boasts some seriously nice amenities. We're talking single-use bathrooms, which are a game-changer for privacy. Many of the common areas & study spaces have been recently updated, making them great places to hang out with friends or cram for an exam. Morton Hall, in particular, got a major facelift after a fire, & now it's a model for dorm renovations on campus, with an elevator, filtered water fountains, & a variety of room types.

The room situation in East Wheelock is also pretty sweet. You'll find a mix of singles, one-room doubles, & some two-room doubles, offering a good amount of variety. I had a friend who lived in a two-room double in Zimmerman her freshman year, & she RAVED about having her own space while still getting the roommate experience.

One of the unique things about East Wheelock is that it's a mixed-class community. While some floors are designated for freshmen, you'll also have upperclassmen living in your building. This can be a huge advantage, as you'll have older students around who can show you the ropes & give you advice on everything from which classes to take to the best places to grab a bite to eat in Hanover.

The location is also a major plus for many students. It's close to the gym, so you have no excuse not to work out, & it's not too far from the center of campus. The only potential downside I've heard is that the walls can be a bit thin, so you might hear your neighbors more than you'd like. But overall, East Wheelock is a top-tier choice for freshmen who want a comfortable, convenient, & community-oriented living experience.

Ah, the Choates. This cluster, made up of Brown, Bissell, Cohen, & Little halls, is a true Dartmouth institution. Let's be real: these are some of the older dorms on campus, & they're not going to win any awards for their luxurious amenities. The rooms can be on the smaller side, & you might have to deal with some quirks, like a noisy radiator.

But what the Choates lack in modern comforts, they MORE than make up for in social life & location. These dorms are located right next to Webster Avenue (aka Frat Row), making it super easy to get to social events. And because it’s a freshman-only cluster, the social scene is often centered right in the dorms themselves. The shared misery of living in slightly rundown buildings can actually forge incredibly strong bonds between floormates. I know so many people who lived in the Choates & say they wouldn't trade the experience for anything because they met their best friends there.

The rooms themselves are mostly one-room doubles, but there are some singles available. And while the bathrooms are communal, there are usually enough of them that you don't have to wait in line. Plus, the cluster has some great common rooms where you can hang out, study, or just chill with your friends.

The location of the Choates is another major selling point. You're just a short walk from pretty much everything on campus, including the library & the main dining hall. This is HUGE, especially during the cold New Hampshire winters when you don't want to spend a lot of time walking outside.

So, if you're the type of person who values a vibrant social scene & a central location over modern amenities, the Choates could be the perfect place for you. It's a classic Dartmouth experience, & one that you'll definitely remember.

Last but not least, we have the River Cluster, which consists of French & Judge halls. As the name suggests, these dorms are located right next to the beautiful Connecticut River. The views are absolutely stunning, & if you're an outdoorsy person, you'll love being so close to the water for kayaking, paddleboarding, or just enjoying the scenery.

The biggest "con" of the River is its location. It's the farthest dorm cluster from the center of campus, & the walk can feel pretty long, especially in the winter. My friend who lived in French Hall his freshman year said he basically had to pack a bag for the whole day because he didn't want to walk back to his room between classes.

But here's the surprising thing about the River: the remote location actually creates an incredibly tight-knit community. Because students spend more time in their dorms, they tend to get to know their floormates & hallmates really well. I've heard from so many River residents that they formed some of their closest friendships just by hanging out in the common room on a weeknight.

The rooms in the River are also a major plus. You'll only find singles & two-room or three-room doubles, which means you're guaranteed to have some personal space. This is a huge advantage over some of the other dorms where you might be in a small one-room double.

So, if you're someone who values a scenic location, a quiet environment, & a close-knit community, don't overlook the River. The walk might be a bit of a trek, but the unique experience it offers can be well worth it.

I also have to give a shout-out to the Fayerweather dorms (North, Mid, & South Fay). These dorms have a ton of historic charm & are located right behind Dartmouth Hall, which means you're super close to the Green. For a long time, the Fayes were a freshman-only hub, known for a super social atmosphere.

Recently, the Fayes have been undergoing some much-needed renovations, so the living situation has been in flux. But the goal of the renovations is to improve the facilities while still maintaining the charm & sense of community that the Fayes are known for. So, if you get placed in the Fayes, you'll be in a prime location with a lot of history.

Now that we've covered the fun stuff, let's talk about some of the practicalities of dorm life, starting with something that can be a real headache: parking.

Here’s the deal: first-year students are generally not allowed to have cars on campus. And even for upperclassmen, parking can be a challenge. Campus parking permits are limited & can be expensive. Finding a spot in Hanover can also be tough, especially during peak times.

This is where a service like Prked can be a total lifesaver. Prked connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or garages. So, if you absolutely need to have a car on campus (or if your parents are driving up for a visit), you can use Prked to find a convenient & affordable parking spot near campus. It’s a pretty cool way to avoid the stress & expense of trying to find parking in a crowded college town.

Another thing you'll need to think about is storage, especially during the summer or if you're taking a term off as part of Dartmouth's D-Plan. Lugging all your stuff home just to bring it back a few months later is a HUGE pain. The college does offer some limited storage options, but space is not guaranteed & there are restrictions on what you can store.

This is another area where a service like Prked comes in handy. In addition to parking, Prked also helps people find affordable storage solutions by connecting them with homeowners who have extra space in their garages, attics, or basements. So, instead of a traditional, expensive storage unit, you could rent a secure, convenient space from a local resident. It's a great way to save money & simplify the move-out process.

At the end of the day, the "best" dorm at Dartmouth is the one that's the best fit for YOU. Each cluster offers a unique experience, & there are amazing people to meet in every single one. My advice? Think about what's most important to you in a living situation, & don't stress too much about where you end up. The truth is, your freshman year at Dartmouth is going to be an incredible adventure no matter which dorm you call home.

I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions. And get ready for an amazing four years