Decoding Wellesley: A No-Nonsense Guide to the Best Dorms on Campus
Hey everyone! If you’re reading this, you’re probably either a wide-eyed first-year trying to figure out where you’ll be living for the next nine months, or maybe you’re a returning student scheming on how to snag that perfect room. Either way, you've come to the right place. I’ve been around the Wellesley block, lived in a couple of these dorms myself, & I’ve gathered all the insider info you’ll need to navigate the sometimes-confusing world of Wellesley housing.
Let’s be real, choosing a dorm is a BIG deal. It’s not just about where you’ll sleep; it’s about your community, your late-night study sessions, your access to snacks, & your overall vibe for the year. The truth is, there's no single "best" dorm at Wellesley—it really depends on what you're looking for. Are you a social butterfly or a quiet bookworm? Do you want a huge room with tons of storage, or are you willing to sacrifice space for a killer view?
This guide is going to break it all down for you, dorm by dorm, so you can figure out which corner of this beautiful campus is the right fit for you.
The Lay of the Land: East Side vs. West Side
First things first, you need to understand the basic geography of Wellesley’s campus. It's unofficially divided into two main areas: East Side & West Side. Each has its own distinct personality & perks.
East Side: Generally speaking, East Side is known for being a bit quieter. It’s home to the Science Center, so it's a popular choice for STEM majors. The dorms on this side are often described as having larger rooms & more of a modern feel. You’re also closer to "the Vil," which is Wellesley’s cute little town area with shops & restaurants.
West Side: This is where you'll find the iconic Tower Court complex & the Quint. It's generally considered the more social side of campus, with stunning views of Lake Waban & easy access to the Academic Quad & the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center.
Now, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of each dorm complex.
Tower Court: The Postcard-Perfect Social Hub
When you see a picture of Wellesley, you’re probably looking at Tower Court. It sits majestically on a hill overlooking Severance Green & Lake Waban, & honestly, the sunsets here are unreal. This complex is made up of Tower East, Tower West, Severance Hall, Claflin Hall, & Lake House. These are some of the oldest dorms on campus, which means they’re full of character, but also… well, let’s just say they have their quirks.
Tower East & Tower West
The Vibe: If you're looking for a social scene, Tower is where it's at. The main hall is often compared to something out of Hogwarts, & it’s a popular spot for students to hang out. You’ll either love the constant energy or hate it—there's not much in between.
The Rooms: Here’s the trade-off for that social atmosphere: the rooms can be pretty small. And because the buildings are older, the room shapes can be a bit… interesting. You might get a room with a weird nook or an oddly placed window. But hey, it builds character, right?
The Perks: You've got Tower Dining Hall right there, which is a huge plus. It’s a nut-free facility with a special station called “Clarity” that serves meals free of the eight major allergens. The laundry is in the basement, & there are communal kitchens & bathrooms on every floor.
Claflin Hall
The Vibe: Claflin is like Tower's slightly more put-together sibling. It’s still got that social energy, but it feels a little more refined. A recent renovation has made it one of the most sought-after dorms on campus. If you're a first-year & you get into Claflin, you've basically won the housing lottery.
The Rooms: The renovation means you’ll find some seriously cool rooms here. I’ve heard stories of lofted spaces with stairs—how cool is that? The rooms are generally a good size, & the bathrooms are amazing.
The Perks: Claflin is home to the Claflin Bakery, which means the whole building often smells like freshly baked goods. I mean, come on! It’s also connected to the other Tower dorms through underground tunnels, though the administration isn’t a huge fan of students using them.
Lake House
The Vibe: Lake House is in a league of its own. It's a smaller, more intimate dorm with jaw-dropping views of Lake Waban. It's a bit further from the main hustle & bustle, but the trade-off is a peaceful, almost retreat-like atmosphere.
The Rooms: The rooms with a lake view are obviously in high demand. The real star of the show here, though, is the kitchen. It’s on the first floor & it’s MASSIVE—probably the best on campus.
The Perks: Did I mention the view? It’s worth saying again. You’re also right next to the Boathouse, which is perfect for a spring afternoon.
The Quint: Prime Location & A Little Bit of Everything
The Quint is another major dorm complex on the west side of campus. It's made up of five dorms arranged in a quad-like shape on a hill overlooking the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center: Cazenove, Pomeroy, Beebe, Shafer, & Munger. The biggest selling point of the Quint is its location—it’s super central & a short walk from pretty much everywhere you need to go.
Cazenove (Caz) & Pomeroy (Pom)
The Vibe: Caz & Pom are pretty similar. They’re both known for being social, but maybe a little less intense than Tower. Lots of athletes live in Caz because of its proximity to the sports center. Pom is known for cultivating a really homey & personal community, with a puzzle table near the entrance that everyone loves.
The Rooms: The rooms are pretty standard for Wellesley—not huge, but definitely manageable. The bathrooms in Caz are said to be a step up from some of the other Quint dorms.
The Perks: Pom has a vegetarian & kosher dining hall that also offers vegan, peanut-free, & gluten-free options. And on Saturday afternoons, they have "Pomchos"—nachos that are the stuff of legend.
Beebe & Shafer
The Vibe: Beebe & Shafer are often where a lot of first-years end up. Beebe is sometimes called the "pirate ship" because of its nautical-themed stained glass windows. Both dorms are on the older side & could use a little love, but they have a certain charm.
The Rooms: The rooms are on the smaller side, & the bathrooms aren’t anything to write home about. But hey, it's a classic first-year experience!
The Perks: You’re SO close to Lulu, which is a huge plus. You can literally exit from the Beebe basement & be right there. Shafer has a printer, which is a surprisingly big deal since not every dorm has one.
Munger Hall
The Vibe: Munger is a bit of an outlier, both physically & in terms of student opinion. It’s technically part of the Quint, but it’s set off to the side. Its central location is a major perk—it’s close to everything, including the town of Wellesley.
The Rooms: The rooms are on the smaller side, & the dorm is pretty old. There's no dining hall, so you'll have to walk to Lulu or another dining hall for meals.
The Perks: Munger is right at the halfway point of the Boston Marathon, & students gather outside to cheer on the runners every year. It’s a really cool tradition to be a part of.
East Side: Quiet, Spacious, & Close to the Vil
If you’re looking for a quieter, more studious environment, East Side might be your jam. The dorms here—McAfee, Bates, & Freeman—are known as the “new dorms” because they were built in the 1950s. They’re all connected, so they have a similar feel. This is also where you'll find Stone-Davis, another popular option.
McAfee, Bates, & Freeman
The Vibe: East Side is definitely the quieter side of campus. It’s a popular choice for STEM majors because of its proximity to the Science Center, & for anyone who wants to be close to the Vil.
The Rooms: This is where East Side really shines. The rooms are HUGE, with tons of storage space. Freeman is famous for its massive closets. The kitchens on each floor were also recently renovated.
The Perks: Bates has its own dining hall with international-style menus & a panini press. Freeman is home to several language corridors, so it’s a great option if you’re interested in immersing yourself in a language. And McAfee has the advantage of being connected to Bates Dining Hall, so you don't even have to go outside for meals.
Stone-Davis (Stone-D)
The Vibe: Stone-D has a bit of a different feel from the other East Side dorms. It's a larger complex with a stunning view of the lake. It's known for having a really great dining hall with comfort food, & it’s open for late-night hours, which is a lifesaver during finals week.
The Rooms: The room sizes can vary a lot in Stone-D. Some are huge with incredible views, while others are a bit on the smaller side. You might get a room with beautiful stained glass windows, though!
The Perks: The dining hall is a big one. Stone-D is also close to a shuttle stop, which is super convenient for getting to Boston.
What About Off-Campus Life?
While most Wellesley students live on campus all four years, some do choose to live off-campus in Cambridge or Boston. The main draws are cheaper housing & food, but you do have to factor in the commute time. If you do decide to live off-campus & bring a car, parking can be a real headache. That’s where a service like Prked can be a total lifesaver. It connects you with people who are renting out their driveways & garages for parking. It’s a pretty cool way to find a convenient & affordable spot without having to circle the block a million times.
And if You Need Extra Space...
College students accumulate a LOT of stuff. Between semesters, you might find yourself with a pile of things you don't want to drag all the way home. Instead of paying for an expensive storage unit, you could use Prked to find a more affordable & convenient storage solution. People rent out their empty garages, attics, basements, & even closets, so you can find a spot that’s just the right size for your stuff, right in the neighborhood.
The Bottom Line
Honestly, no matter where you end up living at Wellesley, you're going to have an amazing experience. Each dorm has its own unique community & traditions, & you'll make friends no matter what. The best thing you can do is go in with an open mind & embrace whatever dorm you're assigned to.
I hope this guide was helpful! Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or if you have your own hot takes on the best dorms at Wellesley. I'd love to hear what you think!
