Picking Your Hopkins Home: An Insider's Guide to the Best Dorms at Johns Hopkins
Hey everyone! So, you got into Johns Hopkins. First off, HUGE congrats! That’s a massive achievement, & you should be incredibly proud. Now comes the next big step: figuring out where you’re going to live for your freshman year. This is a bigger deal than you might think. Your dorm is your home base, your social hub, & where you'll make some of your first college memories. Picking the right one can really shape your first year experience.
I’ve been around the Hopkins block a few times & have heard it all when it comes to dorm life. There’s a lot to consider – from how social you want to be, to whether you can handle a communal bathroom. Don't worry, I'm here to break it all down for you, dorm by dorm. We'll get into the nitty-gritty of each option, so you can make a choice that’s perfect for you.
The Lay of the Land: What to Expect from Hopkins Housing
Before we dive into the individual dorms, let's get a general feel for the housing situation at Hopkins. All first-year students are required to live on campus for their first two years, which is actually a pretty sweet deal. It helps build a strong sense of community & makes it way easier to get to classes & campus events.
You've got a few main options as a freshman: the traditional dorms (the AMRs), suite-style living (Wolman, McCoy, & AMR III), & the newer, swankier options like Scott-Bates Commons (though that's mostly for sophomores, we'll touch on it). Each has its own vibe, pros, & cons.
A quick note on amenities: all JHU residence halls have the basics covered. You’ll get high-speed Wi-Fi, air conditioning & heating, 24-hour security, laundry facilities, & the support of a Resident Advisor (RA). So, you won’t be roughing it, no matter where you end up.
The Social Hubs: AMR I & AMR II
If you're looking for that classic, movie-style college dorm experience, the Alumni Memorial Residences, or AMRs, are where it's at. These are the traditional dorms with long hallways, doubles (and a few singles), & communal bathrooms. They’re located right in the heart of the Homewood campus on what’s known as the Freshman Quad, which means you're super close to the Fresh Food Cafe (FFC), the main dining hall for first-years, & the Rec Center.
AMR I
AMR I is a bit of a hidden gem, in my opinion. It has a reputation for being slightly less "janky" than its more famous sibling, AMR II. It's a great balance of social life & a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. You'll still get that traditional dorm experience, but maybe with a little less chaos. Students who have lived there say it's a good middle ground – you can meet a ton of people, but it’s not quite as wild as AMR II.
The rooms are pretty standard for a college dorm, & you'll be sharing a bathroom with your floor. The communal bathrooms get cleaned regularly, so it's not as scary as it might sound. Plus, you'll have a communal kitchen & a social lounge.
AMR II
Now, let's talk about AMR II. This dorm is LEGENDARY for its social scene. If you want to be in the absolute thick of it, this is the place to be. The doors are always open, people are constantly hanging out in the hallways, & there's always something going on. It's the kind of place where you'll make friends just by walking to the bathroom.
The downside? It can be loud. And the rooms are known for being on the smaller side. Some students have even called the experience "traumatizing" due to the communal showers & dust. But for many, the incredible social life is more than worth it. AMR II also has some nice perks, like a bigger game room with a pool table & foosball.
So, the AMR I vs. AMR II debate really comes down to what you're looking for. Do you want a super social, high-energy environment? Go for AMR II. If you want a slightly more toned-down version of that experience, AMR I is a fantastic choice.
The Best of Both Worlds: AMR III (A & B)
If the idea of a communal bathroom sends shivers down your spine, but you still want to be in a super convenient location, AMR III is your answer. It's what's known as a "suite-style" dorm. Each suite has two double rooms that share a private bathroom. So you're only sharing with three other people, which is a MAJOR upgrade for a lot of students.
AMR III is located right above the FFC, so you can practically roll out of bed & into the dining hall. It’s also super close to the Rec Center & many of the STEM buildings, like Mudd Hall.
The rooms in AMR III are generally considered to be more spacious than in AMR I & II, & having your own bathroom is a huge perk. However, it’s not all sunshine & rainbows. AMR III has a reputation for being the least social of the freshman dorms. Because you have your own bathroom, you don't have those spontaneous hallway encounters that are so common in the other AMRs. Some students have also reported issues with pests, like rats, in their suites.
There's also no elevator, which can be a pain if you're on a higher floor. And while you have a shared bathroom, there’s no kitchenette in the suite, though there is a communal kitchen in the basement.
So, AMR III is a great choice if you prioritize privacy & convenience over a super-social environment. It’s a nice middle ground between the traditional dorms & the more apartment-style options.
The Suite Life: Wolman Hall & McCoy Hall
Now we're moving across the street to Wolman & McCoy Halls. These are also suite-style dorms, but they're a step up from AMR III. Here, you'll typically find suites with two or three bedrooms, a shared bathroom, AND a kitchenette. This is a game-changer for a lot of students, as it gives you the option to cook some of your own meals.
Wolman Hall
Wolman is a VERY popular choice for freshmen, & for good reason. It’s widely considered one of the best dorms on campus. The suites are modern & spacious, & having a kitchenette with electric burners gives you a lot of flexibility. Each floor also has a large common room with a TV, which helps to foster a sense of community.
Wolman has some awesome amenities, including a small movie theater, a cardio room, a game room, & a computer lab. It's also in a great location, right near a bunch of popular off-campus eateries like Chipotle & Starbucks.
The vibe in Wolman is a good mix of social & studious. It's not as in-your-face social as AMR II, but there are still plenty of opportunities to meet people, especially if you make an effort to hang out in the floor lounges.
McCoy Hall
McCoy is right next to Wolman & is very similar in style. The rooms are, on average, a little bigger than in Wolman, but the building is a bit older. McCoy is a mix of freshmen & sophomores, so you'll get to meet a wider range of students.
Like Wolman, McCoy has some great amenities, including a game room, a cardio room, study rooms, & a music practice room. The Office of Residential Life is also located in McCoy, which can be convenient.
The social scene in McCoy can be a bit more hit-or-miss than in Wolman. It really depends on your floor. Some floors are super social & use their common rooms all the time, while others are quieter. So, if you're set on a lively social scene, Wolman might be a slightly safer bet.
One thing to keep in mind with both Wolman & McCoy is that they're a little farther from the main campus than the AMRs. It's still a very walkable distance, but it's something to consider.
And hey, if you're living in Wolman or McCoy, you're probably going to have a car on campus at some point. Parking in a city like Baltimore can be a nightmare. That's where a service like Prked comes in super handy. You can rent a private parking spot in someone's driveway or garage right near campus. It's way more convenient & often cheaper than trying to find street parking or paying for a campus permit.
The New Kid on the Block: Scott-Bates Commons
Scott-Bates Commons is the newest residence hall at Hopkins, & it's pretty impressive. It's primarily for second-year students, but it's worth knowing about since you'll be a sophomore before you know it!
This place is top-of-the-line. It's made up of two buildings connected by a cool glass bridge. The rooms are all suite-style, with either two or four bedrooms. The best part? Every resident gets their own private bedroom! You'll share a kitchenette & bathroom(s) with your suitemates. The four-bedroom suites even have a full-sized refrigerator & a furnished living room.
Scott-Bates is designed to be a real hub of student life. It has a dining facility with a fireplace & a performance stage, common kitchens, reading rooms, & TV rooms. It’s a fantastic option for students who want a more independent, apartment-style living situation.
A Quick Word on Storage
As you're getting ready to move into your dorm, you might realize you have more stuff than you have space for. This is especially true if you're coming from out of state. Instead of cramming everything into your tiny dorm room, consider a storage solution.
This is another area where Prked can be a lifesaver. You can find affordable & convenient storage space by renting out someone's garage, attic, basement, or even a closet. It's a great way to keep your belongings safe & out of the way until you need them.
So, What's the Verdict?
Honestly, there's no single "best" dorm at Johns Hopkins. It REALLY depends on what you're looking for. Here's a quick recap to help you decide:
- For the Social Butterfly: AMR II is your best bet. It's loud, it's chaotic, & it's a ton of fun.
- For a More Balanced Social Scene: AMR I offers a great mix of social opportunities & a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.
- For Privacy & Convenience: AMR III gives you a private bathroom & a prime location, but it's on the quieter side.
- For the Aspiring Chef & Creature of Comfort: Wolman Hall offers modern suites with kitchenettes & great amenities.
- For a Mix of Freshmen & Sophomores: McCoy Hall has spacious rooms & a slightly more independent vibe.
My personal advice? Think about your priorities. Do you need a super social environment to thrive, or do you prefer a quieter space to retreat to at the end of the day? Are you willing to trade a little bit of privacy for a more communal experience?
No matter where you end up, remember that your dorm doesn't have to define your entire social life at Hopkins. You'll meet people in your classes, in clubs, & all over campus. So, don't stress too much about the decision. Just go in with an open mind & be ready to make the most of your freshman year.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think, & good luck with your housing selection
