The Real Tea on Colgate University Dorms: From "Hotel-Esque" to "Trauma-Bonding"
Hey everyone, so you’re heading to Colgate University – congrats! Now comes the fun part: figuring out where you’re going to live for the next year. & honestly, the dorm you get can REALLY shape your freshman experience. I’ve been around the block, seen the good, the bad, & the ugly of Colgate housing, so I'm here to give you the inside scoop. We're talking more than just what you'll find on the official website; this is the real deal, based on what students actually think.
First things first, you should know that as a first-year student, you'll be placed into one of four Residential Commons. This system is designed to create a sense of community from the get-go, & you'll be living with the same people who are in your First-Year Seminar (FSEM). It’s a pretty cool way to make friends & have a built-in study group. The four commons are Brown, Ciccone, Hancock, & Mabel Dart Colegrove. Each one has its own vibe & is made up of a few different dorm buildings.
Now, let's get into the nitty-gritty of the dorms themselves. I’m going to break it down by common, & give you the unfiltered truth about each building.
The Freshman Experience: A Deep Dive into the Residential Commons
Mabel Dart Colegrove Commons: The Lap of Luxury or a Sterile Environment?
This common is probably the one you’ve heard the most about, mainly because it includes the newest & most talked-about dorms on campus: Pinchin Hall & Burke Hall.
Pinchin Hall: If you’re looking for modern amenities & a prime location, Pinchin is your spot. It’s a new building, so everything is clean, updated, & feels more like a hotel than a dorm. One student on Reddit described it as "sterile" & "kind of too nice to feel lived-in," which is a fair point. If you're someone who likes things pristine & new, you'll love it here. The location is a major plus, putting you close to your classes & the dining hall. It's got pre-set climate-controlled A/C & heat, which is a HUGE bonus you won't find in the older dorms.
Burke Hall: Burke is pretty much a carbon copy of Pinchin in terms of being new & "hotel-esque." The main difference is that its location is slightly less convenient than Pinchin's. Still, you're getting all the modern perks, like air conditioning & new facilities. It's a solid option if you want a comfortable, modern living space.
Stillman Hall: If you want a more traditional college feel without sacrificing too much comfort, Stillman is a great choice. A Reddit user described it as "Andrews if Andrews had a slightly worse location and were a little bit smaller." It’s an older building that’s been updated, so you get that classic charm with some modern conveniences. It’s also close to the dining hall & academic buildings, which is a big plus.
West Hall: This is another one of the older, more traditional dorms. It's got a reputation for being a bit outdated, but it’s centrally located & has a classic college dorm feel. It's a decent option, but probably not at the top of most people's lists.
Brown Commons: A Mix of Classic & Controversial
Brown Commons offers a real mix of housing styles, from the classic to the infamous.
Andrews Hall: This is a fan favorite for a reason. It's an older building that's been updated, giving it a "classic feel" with "sizeable rooms and great location." It’s a beautiful building with a lot of character, & it's in a prime spot on campus. If you're looking for that quintessential college dorm experience, Andrews is where it's at. It features standard double rooms and some suites.
East Hall: Similar to West Hall, East is a more traditional, older dorm. It's centrally located, which is a big plus, but it's not as updated as some of the other options. It’s a solid, middle-of-the-road choice.
Gate House: Ah, Gate House. This dorm is legendary on campus, & not always for the best reasons. As one Reddit user put it, "This building was meant to be temporary and has outlived its planned lifespan probably thrice over now. Falling apart at the seams. Forced triples." Another student mentioned, "Yeah I love having two roommates, no open windows, and mold." So why would anyone want to live here? The same student who pointed out its flaws also said it has a "fantastic culture because everyone there is trauma-bonded for life." Another student on Appily mentioned that despite the complaints, the students in Gate House are good friends. It seems that the shared experience of living in a less-than-ideal dorm can actually bring people closer together. Plus, it has pre-set climate-controlled A/C & heat.
Ciccone Commons: The Social Hub
Ciccone Commons is known for its social atmosphere, with two of the most socially active dorms on campus.
Curtis Hall: This dorm is described as "truly mid" but with a "good culture." The rooms are known for being on the smaller side, with one student on Quora saying some rooms "really should just be singles, they are way too small for 2 people…". However, another student on Appily mentioned that Curtis is known to be very social. So, if you’re willing to sacrifice some space for a lively social scene, Curtis could be a good fit.
Drake Hall: Drake is another dorm with a reputation for being a bit ugly but having a "really cohesive culture." One student who lived there their freshman year said it's "mid by most measures," but the social aspect makes up for it. It's also in a decent location, close to the gym while still being a reasonable walk to classes.
Hancock Commons: A Bit of a Hike
Hancock Commons is a bit further out from the main academic quad, making it a less popular choice for some.
Bryan Complex: This complex is made up of four houses: Cobb, Crawshaw, Parke, & Russell. It's described as "not great but not the end of the world." The main drawback is its location – it's a bit of a walk to classes & food, though it is close to the gym. The rooms are suite-style, with doubles & singles sharing a bathroom, which is a nice perk.
113 Broad Street: This is another complex of four houses: Brigham, Read, Shephardson, & Whitnall. Its location is its biggest downside, with one student calling it "possibly the worst by location alone unless you're a student athlete / gym fiend." It's far from classes & the dining hall, which can be a pain, especially in the winter. Like Bryan Complex, it has suite-style rooms with shared bathrooms.
Upperclassman Housing: More Freedom, More Choices
Once you’re a junior & senior, you have a lot more options for housing. You can choose to live in apartments, townhouses, or interest houses.
Apartments & Townhouses
Newell Apartments: These are a popular choice for upperclassmen. They feature three-person & four-person units with single & double rooms, a shared bathroom, kitchen, & living area.
Parker Apartments: Similar to Newell, Parker offers two-story four-person & six-person units with double rooms, a shared bathroom, kitchen, & living area.
Townhouses: If you want even more space, the townhouses are a great option. They have two-story eight-person & 16-person units with double rooms, a shared bathroom, kitchen, & living area.
University Court Apartments: These are four-person units with double rooms, a shared bathroom, kitchen, & living area.
Living in an apartment or townhouse gives you a lot more independence. You’ll have to cook for yourself & clean your own space, but you’ll also have more freedom & privacy. It’s a great way to transition to post-college life.
Interest Houses & Greek Life
Colgate also has a number of interest houses, where students with shared interests live together. These can be a great way to find your niche on campus. Examples include the Creative Arts & Humanities House, the Environmental Studies House, & the Social Justice & Diversity House.
About a third of eligible students are involved in Greek life at Colgate, & many of them live in their chapter houses on Broad Street. This is a big part of the social scene for many students, but it’s definitely not for everyone.
A Quick Note on Parking & Storage
Living on a college campus often means dealing with limited space, both for your car & your belongings. If you find yourself with a car on campus & nowhere to put it, you might want to check out a service like Prked. It’s a pretty cool platform that connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or garages. It can be a lifesaver, especially in a small town like Hamilton where parking can be tight.
Similarly, if you're struggling to fit all your stuff in your dorm room, or if you need a place to store your things over the summer, Prked can also help with that. You can find people who are renting out their empty garages, attics, or basements for storage. It's often more convenient & affordable than a traditional storage unit.
The Final Word
So there you have it – the unofficial guide to Colgate University dorms. Honestly, no matter where you end up living your freshman year, you’re going to have a great time. Each dorm has its own unique culture & community, & you’ll make friends no matter what. The most important thing is to go in with an open mind & be ready to embrace the experience.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments.
