Picking Your Home at Northwestern: A Deep Dive into the Best Dorms
Hey everyone! So, you’re headed to Northwestern. First off, congrats! You’re in for an incredible four years. But before you dive into classes & Big Ten football games, you’ve got a HUGE decision to make: where to live. Honestly, your dorm can shape your entire freshman year experience—your friend group, your study habits, even your social life.
It’s a bigger deal than you might think, & the info out there can be kinda overwhelming. I’m here to break it all down for you, from the North Campus vs. South Campus debate to the nitty-gritty details of the most popular dorms. Think of me as your friendly upperclassman who’s been through it all & is ready to spill the tea.
The Big Picture: North Campus vs. South Campus
Before we get into specific dorms, you need to understand the fundamental divide of Northwestern’s Evanston campus: North vs. South. This is probably the most important factor in your decision, as it will heavily influence your daily life.
North Campus: The Social Hub
If you’re a STEM major, an athlete, or someone who just loves being in the middle of all the action, North Campus is probably where you’ll want to be. It’s known for being more social, more energetic, & generally more… well, “college-y.”
Here’s what you’ll find on North Campus:
- The Technological Institute (Tech): If you’re in the McCormick School of Engineering or Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences with a major in a natural science, you’ll be spending a LOT of time here.
- Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (SPAC): The main gym on campus. It’s massive & has everything you could possibly need for a workout.
- Lincoln Street Beach: Yep, we have a beach. It’s a pretty awesome place to hang out when the weather is nice.
- Frat Houses: The majority of the fraternity houses are on North Campus, which contributes to the more lively social scene.
The general vibe of North Campus is work-hard, play-hard. You’ll find a lot of students who are very focused on their academics but also like to unwind & have fun on the weekends.
South Campus: The Artsy & Chill Side
South Campus, on the other hand, is known for being a bit more laid-back, artsy, & closer to downtown Evanston. If you’re a humanities, journalism, or communication major, you’ll likely have most of your classes on this side of campus.
Here’s what you can expect from South Campus:
- Proximity to Downtown Evanston: This is a HUGE plus. You’re just a short walk away from tons of great restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, & a movie theater.
- The Arts Circle: This is where you’ll find the theater, music, & art buildings.
- A More Relaxed Atmosphere: South Campus is generally quieter than North Campus, which can be great for studying & getting a good night’s sleep.
The students on South Campus are often described as more chill & creative. It’s a great place to be if you want a more balanced college experience with easy access to off-campus activities.
Mid-Campus: The Best of Both Worlds?
There’s also a small "mid-campus" area that’s home to the Foster-Walker Complex, affectionately known as “Plex.” We’ll get more into Plex later, but it’s a unique option that offers a middle ground between the two main campus vibes.
The Two Flavors of Dorm Life: Residential Halls vs. Residential Colleges
Northwestern has two main types of housing: residential halls & residential colleges. The difference might seem small at first, but it can have a big impact on your experience.
Residential Halls: The Classic College Experience
Residential halls are your traditional college dorms. They range in size from small houses with a few dozen students to large buildings with over 500 residents. Each hall has its own unique culture & community, but they all offer the standard dorm experience with Resident Assistants (RAs) who plan events & provide support.
If you’re looking for a classic, no-frills dorm experience where you can meet a wide variety of people, a residential hall is a great choice.
Residential Colleges: A More Immersive Living-Learning Experience
Residential colleges, or “res colleges,” are a bit different. They’re smaller communities, typically with 40 to 250 students, & they’re organized around a specific theme, like science & engineering, communications, or humanities.
Here’s what makes res colleges unique:
- Faculty Involvement: Each res college has a faculty chair & a team of faculty fellows who are actively involved in the community. They host dinners, lead seminars, & even organize outings in Chicago.
- Themed Programming: Res colleges offer a ton of events & activities related to their theme. For example, the International Studies Residential College might host cooking nights with international cuisine, while the Science & Engineering Residential College might have guest speakers from different STEM fields.
- Guaranteed Housing: If you’re active in your res college community & earn enough points by attending events, you can get a guaranteed spot to live there again the following year, which means you can avoid the dreaded housing lottery.
Reddit users often praise the strong sense of community in res colleges, noting that it's an easy way to meet people and get involved. If you’re looking for a more tight-knit community with a strong academic focus, a residential college could be a perfect fit.
The Heavy Hitters: A Dorm-by-Dorm Breakdown
Alright, now for the part you’ve been waiting for: the dorms themselves. I’m going to give you the inside scoop on some of the most popular & talked-about dorms at Northwestern.
North Campus Powerhouses
Elder Hall: The Social Freshman Hub
If you want the quintessential social freshman experience, Elder is the place to be. It’s known for being one of the most active & vibrant dorms on campus, with a strong sense of community & tons of events. The rooms are a decent size, & it has its own dining hall, which is a HUGE plus, especially in the winter. The food in the dining hall is pretty average, but they have a taco bar that’s a student favorite. The bathrooms, however, are notoriously… not great. Still, if you’re a STEM major looking to make a lot of friends, Elder is a top choice.
Sargent Hall: The Convenient & Community-Oriented Option
Sargent is another popular North Campus dorm, especially for engineering & science majors due to its proximity to Tech. Like Elder, it has a dining hall in the building, which is a major convenience. Sargent is known for having a strong sense of community & a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. It's a bit less "in your face" social than Elder, but still a great place to meet people.
Bobb-McCulloch Hall: The Party Dorm
Let’s be real, you’ve probably already heard of Bobb. It has a reputation as the party dorm on campus, & for good reason. It can get pretty loud on the weekends, so if you’re looking for a quiet place to study, this is NOT it. The facilities are also a bit outdated, & the rooms aren’t the biggest. But if you’re looking for a very active social scene & don’t mind the noise, Bobb might be your jam.
Schapiro Hall: The “Hotel on Campus”
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Bobb is Schapiro Hall. It’s often called the “hotel on campus” because of its modern amenities & suite-style rooms. You’ll share a bathroom with only three other people, which is a LUXURY in college. It’s one of the newest & cleanest dorms on campus, but it’s also one of the most expensive. If you value your personal space & modern comforts, Schapiro is worth considering.
South Campus Sanctuaries
Willard Residential College: The Best of the Best?
Willard is consistently ranked as one of the best dorms at Northwestern, & for good reason. It’s a residential college, so it has that tight-knit community feel & tons of events. The rooms are spacious, the building is clean, & it has a fitness room & a cafe called Fran’s right in the building. It’s also in a prime location on South Campus, close to downtown Evanston & many of the humanities buildings. The only real downside is that it’s a bit of a trek to North Campus, but most residents would say it’s well worth it.
Allison Hall: The Centrally Located South Campus Hub
Allison is another top-tier South Campus dorm. It’s known for having some of the biggest rooms on campus, & it’s located right above a dining hall, which is super convenient. It’s a very social dorm, but not in the same way as the North Campus party dorms. It’s more of a “let’s hang out in the lounge & watch a movie” kind of vibe. The one major complaint about Allison is the bathrooms, which are known to have plumbing issues.
Shepard Hall: The Hidden Gem
Shepard is a bit of a hidden gem on South Campus. It has amazing amenities, including a huge study lounge in the basement with a full kitchen, which is great for cooking with friends. The rooms are a bit on the smaller side, but they all have heating & central AC that you can control yourself. It’s a great option if you want a quieter, more studious environment with some really nice perks.
Chapin Hall (Humanities Residential College): The Quaint & Quirky Choice
Chapin is the oldest residence hall at Northwestern, & it has a lot of character. It’s a small, tight-knit community, & the rooms are surprisingly large. It’s the Humanities Residential College, so it’s a great place for students who are passionate about the arts & humanities to connect with like-minded people. It’s a bit of an acquired taste, but the students who live there absolutely love it.
The Mid-Campus Maverick
Foster-Walker Complex (Plex): The Single-Room Sanctuary
Plex is a unique beast. It’s the only dorm on mid-campus, & it’s the only dorm that’s exclusively single rooms. This is a HUGE draw for students who value their privacy. It also has two dining halls, a convenience store, & the campus package center right in the building, making it one of the most convenient places to live. The rooms themselves are pretty small, & the social scene can be a bit isolating since everyone has their own room. But if you’re an independent person who likes their own space, Plex is an amazing option.
What About Parking?
Now, I know what some of you are thinking: “What if I want to bring a car to campus?” First of all, as a freshman, you’re probably not going to have a car. But if you’re an upperclassman, or you have a special circumstance, parking on campus can be a real headache. The lots are expensive & often full.
Here’s where a pretty cool service called Prked comes in. It’s basically like Airbnb, but for parking spaces. People who live near campus & have an extra spot in their driveway or garage can rent it out to students. It’s often cheaper & more convenient than the campus lots, so it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re planning on having a car at Northwestern.
And What About Storage?
Another thing you might not be thinking about yet, but you definitely will be at the end of the year, is storage. What do you do with all your stuff over the summer? Instead of lugging it all back home, you can use a service like Prked to find a cheap & convenient storage space near campus. People will rent out their empty garages, basements, or attics, which can be a lifesaver when it’s time to move out.
The Bottom Line
Choosing a dorm is a big decision, but don’t stress about it too much. No matter where you end up, you’re going to have an amazing time at Northwestern. The most important thing is to be open to new experiences, get involved in your dorm community, & make the most of your time on campus.
I hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments. And welcome to the Wildcat family
