Best dorm?

[YoungMUFan4]

i just got into marquette, what dorm would you suggest?

[MUfan12]

It depends what you're looking for to be honest. If you want the crazier atmosphere go with McCormick, but the rooms are tiny. Mashuda is nice, quieter, but kinda isolated. I lived in Carpenter and really liked it. It was a nice balance, it wasn't a library, but it wasn't McCormick either. People still had their doors open. O'Donnell (all male dorm) I've heard mixed reviews on, some people loved it, others not so much.

Nicest rooms are Straz and I've heard Abbotsford, although I'm not sure if those are open to all freshmen.

[🏀]

Don't kid yourself, have the college experience and live in McCormick. I lived in Carpenter Tower my freshman year, and it is a morgue compared to McCormick.

Everybody has a great McCormick story, and the people living there have THE best time. Their food is also pretty good the last time I had it.

[EmJ5]

I'm a freshman at Marquette this year and I live in McCormick. It gets pretty crazy and it's never quiet so if you are not big on partying it's probably not for you. Although it gets crazy sometimes I love McCormick because of the location, and even though the rooms are small and the atmosophere is... interesting to say the least... you meet a lot of people the first few weeks and there is always something going on. The food isn't great but, honestly, most of the food on campus isn't good, so it's nice to have a cafeteria inside your dorm.
I'm gonna say McCormick is the way to go, unless you want to try for Abbottsford to have a giant room.

[🏀]

I'm a freshman at Marquette this year and I live in McCormick. It gets pretty crazy and it's never quiet so if you are not big on partying it's probably not for you. Although it gets crazy sometimes I love McCormick because of the location, and even though the rooms are small and the atmosophere is... interesting to say the least... you meet a lot of people the first few weeks and there is always something going on. The food isn't great but, honestly, most of the food on campus isn't good, so it's nice to have a cafeteria inside your dorm.
I'm gonna say McCormick is the way to go, unless you want to try for Abbottsford to have a giant room.

The library is for studying.

[mu_hilltopper]

West Hall is the best dorm, hands down.

[Marquette Gyros]

I vote for O'D, which is where I lived, but like MUfan12 said, it all depends on what you're looking for.

If you want a crazy, Ohio State/VA Tech couch-burning, "COLLEGE!!!!1" shouting, fire-alarm pulling living experience, by all means go with McCormick.  Great location, good food, and good times when you combine 800 coeds that just got out of high school.  Craziness ensues.

If you want a quiet, apartment-style residence, choose Carpenter.  Consistently favored by engineers, the dorm has earned its reputation as a quiet, laid-back place to stay.  Nap-time approved and endorsed.

If you were the salutatorian of your high school class, broke 33 on your ACT, don't mind living across a bridge from what might as well be the rest of civilization, and long for occasional make-out sessions with emo girls from Indianapolis that want you to save the planet with them, then Straz Tower is your place.  Plus side -- there's a gym in your building and the food is legendary.

If you want to hang out with sophomores, eat bad, greasy food, and walk forever to all of your freshman-year classes in Marquette Hall, Mashuda is your place.  A bonus of this place is that it's close to the epicenter of off-campus parties, 17th and Kilbourn.  Of course, it's not as close as O'Donnell. Or McCormick.  Damn.

Finally, yeah, it's not the best place to meet girls, but there is no place in the world that will hone your sh*t-talking, prank-pulling, Gyros-eating, hoops-playing, or beer-drinking abilities like O'Donnell Hall.  At the end of the day, isn't that what freshman year is all about?


(Disclaimer.  Abbotsford wasn't a dorm for most of my college career.  I hear it's money. YMMV.)

[IAmMarquette]

McCormick. No question.

Fire alarms (19 before Thanksgiving my sophomore year) are for Schroeder (definitely live there too).

As mentioned above, if you need a quiet place, Raynor/Memorial are just across Wisconsin Ave.

[Steak]

Carpenter was only open to Sophomores when I was in dorms (2005).

Abbottsford was the best. Good people (but not too crazy), great rooms.
McCormick's cafeteria will be open the latest, plus what everyone else said.
Straz is nice, but a very far walk.
OD is another long walk, and it's guys only. If you do end up there, most guys end up liking it anyway (whether they picked it  or not)

[MUfan12]

If you were the salutatorian of your high school class, broke 33 on your ACT, don't mind living across a bridge from what might as well be the rest of civilization, and long for occasional make-out sessions with emo girls from Indianapolis that want you to save the planet with them, then Straz Tower is your place.  Plus side -- there's a gym in your building and the food is legendary.

LOL... that's hilarious. But painfully true.

[chapman]

I vote for O'D, which is where I lived, but like MUfan12 said, it all depends on what you're looking for.

If you want a crazy, Ohio State/VA Tech couch-burning, "COLLEGE!!!!1" shouting, fire-alarm pulling living experience, by all means go with McCormick.  Great location, good food, and good times when you combine 800 coeds that just got out of high school.  Craziness ensues.

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say the food at McCormick is good.  None of the dorm food is good, but I think McCormick fries everything but the ice cream. 

[Marquette Gyros]

That's the first time I've ever heard anyone say the food at McCormick is good.  None of the dorm food is good, but I think McCormick fries everything but the ice cream. 

Keep in mind that the O'Donnell cafeteria was my point of reference.  Apparently breakfast was their best meal, but I'm not a morning person, so I never found out. 

All I know is that the pizza and burgers served at McC are miles ahead of O'Donnell grilled cheese sandwich after O'Donnell grilled cheese sandwich.

[reesiecup210]

McCormick for sure. Every freshman should experience it. Whether you like to drink or not. You'll meet a ton of people and have a blast doing it. Central location. 800 other freshman around you. The other dorms are fine, but McCormick has the best social life.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Mccormick
Schroeder
house
1 bedroom apt after getting burnt out on cleaning up after a party every weekend.

[IAmMarquette]

McCormick for sure. Every freshman should experience it. Whether you like to drink or not. You'll meet a ton of people and have a blast doing it. Central location. 800 other freshman around you. The other dorms are fine, but McCormick has the best social life.

Exactly. We basically moved our entire wing in McCormick to the same wing in Schroeder. I ended up living with half of those guys jr. and sr. year, too. You don't have to be Joe College to appreciate McCormick.

[drewm88]

Carpenter: If you're an engineer, and want to hang out with engineers, live here as a freshman. I wouldn't recommend it.

Straz: Can only get in as a frosh if in the honors program, which makes it somewhat like Carpenter. However, key differences: Huge rooms, a/c, more freshman than CT (about 100 total), GIRLS (barely any at all live in CT frosh year), best food on campus, a gym downstairs, bob's barbershop.

Abbottsford: Huge rooms, central location.

McCormick: Your cafeteria stays open till midnight, and, oh yeah......it's a giant freaking party.

OD: Also lots of fun. Just fewer girls around.

Anywhere you live, chances are very good you will love it. But if you want my advice......live in Cobeen 

[mosarsour]

Or, if you can get in, Humphrey. I was there for 2 years and you can really get to know some of the ball players.

[jutaw22mu]

pretty much everyone gets mccormick, no matter what you put.

[Boognish_MU]

pretty much everyone gets mccormick, no matter what you put.

I didn't and I was in OD... which turned out to be better

[spartan3186]

It doesn't really matter where you end up. I was in OD but spent most of my time 1st semester in McCormick (and by most of my time I mean all of my time other than when I passed out at OD for the night). 2nd semester I spent a lot more time at OD playing poker with the guys. Different experiences, both experiences I'll never forget. I'm not going to try to tell you about the other dorms as I would not be a good judge having not spent much time there. Some advantages to both

McCormick- Of course you have the CoEd thing which is really nice, but its all about who you meet. Even if in OD just meet some girls and spend time with them. They also have a rep for having the most lenient RA's the ones in OD suck big time, they try to run it like bootcamp. Its also a non-stop party. Lots of crazy stuff going on all the time. Things I've seen/done in McCormick include: throwing water baloons and Student Safety from a 5th story window, kegs thrown out the window, full out lacrosse games in the hallway, full out football games in the hallway, lots of drinking etc etc

OD- It was a ton of fun when I was there and a lot of my best friends lived in my wing, you'll defft form strong friendships. We played a ton of poker my frosh year, like 8+ hours a day. Not as many crazy stories from the dorms themselves and most of the nights with the guys I don't really remember (not by choice).

Long story short: You'll have an unforgettable experience no matter where you are. It's all about who you meet not where you live.

[🏀]

We played a ton of poker my frosh year, like 8+ hours a day.

That's a lot of poker. Were you playing with Amo?

[muwarrior87]

McCormick food has improved leaps and bounds in the last year. They got the old dining manager from the Been and he's great. Food is 10 times better this year there than in the past.  I was a CT engineer my frosh year and those floors are fun. Not close to McCormick rowdiness but still we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.

The rest of Carpenter, however, is pretty quiet, but next year who knows since all but two RA's will be exiting the building will get a whole new feel.  It was nice having my own bathroom though, that's for sure.

If you love being one of the guys and male bonding is one of your personal favorite pasttimes, go with OD.

The Abbottsford is the high end by far for incoming frosh.  Rooms are massive, good location on campus...but ya gotta get lucky to get into there since it's not that big of a res hall.

Like others have said, Straz is for the brains. It's nice having the rec Plex right there though...no long walks in the cold if ya want to go workout.

Each has it's advantages. I'd avoid Mashuda as a freshman just because it's so far out of the way and not too many frosh end up there.  Best of luck finding a place and hope you have a great start to a new chapter in your life next fall.

[IAmMarquette]

i just got into marquette

Congrats, by the way.

[spartan3186]

We played a ton of poker my frosh year, like 8+ hours a day.

That's a lot of poker. Were you playing with Amo?

He played with us on occassion yes. He was super super super aggressive and did not really care if he lost money haha. That kid was addicted to gambling, I also saw him playing Poker at Potowatami when he was a freshman (I was playing Bingo) I still don't know how he pulled it off, I suppose he looks older than he is

[Marquette Gyros]

We played a ton of poker my frosh year, like 8+ hours a day.

That's a lot of poker. Were you playing with Amo?

He played with us on occassion yes. He was super super super aggressive and did not really care if he lost money haha. That kid was addicted to gambling, I also saw him playing Poker at Potowatami when he was a freshman (I was playing Bingo) I still don't know how he pulled it off, I suppose he looks older than he is

I'll give the secret away because I'm over 21 now and don't really mind if anyone from Potowatomi finds this, but the trick is to enter the casino on the second floor, act like you're going to play bingo, and deftly sneak into the poker room (which is right at the back of the bingo area, for those that aren't familar with the place).

There's also a bank of escalators leading from the bingo area to the main casino floor that allows you access to video poker, slot machines, and ultimately, table games.  The escalators deposit their passengers well inside security.

See, you never know what you'll learn when you click on a "best dorms" thread...

[MileHigh]

abbottsford is the most requested dorm...if that says anything

yes i am biased, i lived there last year...floor 9 had many many good times

[jaybilaswho?]

I lived in ODonnell.

had some great times and have great stories that me and my friends still talk about. they have a cafeteria, but it is only open during the week. so for food on weekends we had to go to mashuda or McCormick. dont base your decision on cafeteria because no matter where you go, you will be going to eat with your friends and you will be talking about the following: week day- homework/class, hot chicks, tv; weekend- piecing together what the F**k happened the night before, hot chicks, alcohol, parties, how much you hate sunday's.
OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have. You will know all the guys in the dorm (whether you like it or not) and you will always have a drinking buddy somewhere in the dorm (this you can still have in McC).
only real con is that there are no chicks allowed after 2. but hey who really wants the chick to sleep over after you have "taken care of business"??
RA's are hit or miss. do not let this factor into your decision.

you cant go wrong with either OD or McC. I would not think about going anywhere else.

Plus side when i was a freshmen... going into sophmore year and having to choose where you want to live, OD and the 'Been-ery had first dibs on Schroeder rooms (a place that you ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY HAVE TO LIVE). This was because of overcrowding and increasing enrollment. Just dont get in trouble freshmen year or you can throw any priority on sophmore year leaving out the window-  you will be last.

disclaimer--- abbottsford was not a dorm my freshmen year. i hear they are nice, but i think the only PRO on it is the rooms are like apartments.

[🏀]

Uh. The dorm selection process is completely random, per ResLife.

[muwarrior87]

you still put down your preferences though. Can manage to get lucky.

[bma725]

Uh. The dorm selection process is completely random, per ResLife.

I don't know if it is now, but a few years ago it was only random for freshman.  Sophomores had a lottery system and everyone signed up online.  You would get this card with a time on it and log in to some strange program on the Marquette Telnet site, where you could view but not choose a room.  Once your specific time came, you were allowed to pick your room, and not just a dorm, but you could pick a specific room on a specific floor.  If you were one of the people that got stuck with a late sign up time, you were basically screwed and had no chance to get into the building you wanted. 

[jaybilaswho?]

Uh. The dorm selection process is completely random, per ResLife.

I don't know if it is now, but a few years ago it was only random for freshman.  Sophomores had a lottery system and everyone signed up online.  You would get this card with a time on it and log in to some strange program on the Marquette Telnet site, where you could view but not choose a room.  Once your specific time came, you were allowed to pick your room, and not just a dorm, but you could pick a specific room on a specific floor.  If you were one of the people that got stuck with a late sign up time, you were basically screwed and had no chance to get into the building you wanted. 

it was through this lottery system that you were given your time. This "lottery" system was heavily influenced by how many times you have been written up and, for my class, where you lived your freshmen year had a part in your lottery time.

[🏀]

Uh. The dorm selection process is completely random, per ResLife.

I don't know if it is now, but a few years ago it was only random for freshman.  Sophomores had a lottery system and everyone signed up online.  You would get this card with a time on it and log in to some strange program on the Marquette Telnet site, where you could view but not choose a room.  Once your specific time came, you were allowed to pick your room, and not just a dorm, but you could pick a specific room on a specific floor.  If you were one of the people that got stuck with a late sign up time, you were basically screwed and had no chance to get into the building you wanted. 

it was through this lottery system that you were given your time. This "lottery" system was heavily influenced by how many times you have been written up and, for my class, where you lived your freshmen year had a part in your lottery time.

Right. My random I meant the sign-up times. After that it's up to you/roommates to choose your room. ResLife does indeed drop you to do end for certain offenses. Douches.

[jaybilaswho?]

Uh. The dorm selection process is completely random, per ResLife.

I don't know if it is now, but a few years ago it was only random for freshman.  Sophomores had a lottery system and everyone signed up online.  You would get this card with a time on it and log in to some strange program on the Marquette Telnet site, where you could view but not choose a room.  Once your specific time came, you were allowed to pick your room, and not just a dorm, but you could pick a specific room on a specific floor.  If you were one of the people that got stuck with a late sign up time, you were basically screwed and had no chance to get into the building you wanted. 

it was through this lottery system that you were given your time. This "lottery" system was heavily influenced by how many times you have been written up and, for my class, where you lived your freshmen year had a part in your lottery time.

Right. My random I meant the sign-up times. After that it's up to you/roommates to choose your room. ResLife does indeed drop you to do end for certain offenses. Douches.

When did COMPLETELY come to mean sign up times? Your statement would be read by everyone as though completely meant encompasses the entire selection process. I COMPLETELY believe that you are a Douch.

[Tribby]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

[jaybilaswho?]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

MU fraternities are gay.

[AlumKCof93]

Why hasn't anyone commented on Schroeder?  I lived there in 89 and 90 and it was great. Its in the heart of campus and its coed.  Bigger and better rooms than McCormick.  Where's the love?

[jaybilaswho?]

Why hasn't anyone commented on Schroeder?  I lived there in 89 and 90 and it was great. Its in the heart of campus and its coed.  Bigger and better rooms than McCormick.  Where's the love?

the kids gonna be a freshmen.

[reinko]

any of the older folk asking themselves:

"what the crap is straz tower?" and
"isn't the abbotsford for creepy grad. students?"

[IAmMarquette]

Why hasn't anyone commented on Schroeder?  I lived there in 89 and 90 and it was great. Its in the heart of campus and its coed.  Bigger and better rooms than McCormick.  Where's the love?

the kids gonna be a freshmen.

And Schroeder is a sophomore dorm. Important detail, bilas.

[AlumKCof93]

Is Schroeder now only a Sophomore dorm?  It was primarily a sophomore dorm when I was there, but I got in as a freshman and there there were quite a few freshman on my floor both my freshman year and my sophomore year.

[bma725]

Is Schroeder now only a Sophomore dorm?  It was primarily a sophomore dorm when I was there, but I got in as a freshman and there there were quite a few freshman on my floor both my freshman year and my sophomore year.

It has been for awhile, probably at least a decade.  Back when freshman were allowed to stay at Schroeder, sophomores could stay at McCormick.  Now, Schroeder is sophomores only and McCormick is Freshman Only. 

[🏀]

Uh. The dorm selection process is completely random, per ResLife.

I don't know if it is now, but a few years ago it was only random for freshman.  Sophomores had a lottery system and everyone signed up online.  You would get this card with a time on it and log in to some strange program on the Marquette Telnet site, where you could view but not choose a room.  Once your specific time came, you were allowed to pick your room, and not just a dorm, but you could pick a specific room on a specific floor.  If you were one of the people that got stuck with a late sign up time, you were basically screwed and had no chance to get into the building you wanted. 

it was through this lottery system that you were given your time. This "lottery" system was heavily influenced by how many times you have been written up and, for my class, where you lived your freshmen year had a part in your lottery time.

Right. My random I meant the sign-up times. After that it's up to you/roommates to choose your room. ResLife does indeed drop you to do end for certain offenses. Douches.

When did COMPLETELY come to mean sign up times? Your statement would be read by everyone as though completely meant encompasses the entire selection process. I COMPLETELY believe that you are a Douch.

What are you talking about? Sign-up times are completely random, in which you the select your room in whatever.

The douche comment was towards ResLife and the joke it is.

[jaybilaswho?]

Why hasn't anyone commented on Schroeder?  I lived there in 89 and 90 and it was great. Its in the heart of campus and its coed.  Bigger and better rooms than McCormick.  Where's the love?

the kids gonna be a freshmen.

And Schroeder is a sophomore dorm. Important detail, bilas.

i had no idea that schroeder was once a freshmen dorm. i guess i fell asleep during the history of schroeder lecture they give you on move in day.

[Tribby]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

MU fraternities are gay.

Right, I got that. I was just trying to figure out when and why "gay" became an acceptable put-down ...

[🏀]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

MU fraternities are gay.

Right, I got that. I was just trying to figure out when and why "gay" became an acceptable put-down ...

I has been for the past 15 years, unless your a PC, treehuggers, gay.

[Tribby]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

MU fraternities are gay.

Right, I got that. I was just trying to figure out when and why "gay" became an acceptable put-down ...

I has been for the past 15 years, unless your a PC, treehuggers, gay.

Classy.

[🏀]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

MU fraternities are gay.

Right, I got that. I was just trying to figure out when and why "gay" became an acceptable put-down ...

It has been for the past 15 years, unless your a PC, treehuggers, gay.

Classy.

Exactly, shouldn't you be contributing to the consistent decline of the Tribune? Takes a lot of time, surprised you're on here.

[Chili]

OD is like a fraternity house- without the gay that all MU fraternities have.

MU fraternities are gay.

Right, I got that. I was just trying to figure out when and why "gay" became an acceptable put-down ...

It has been for the past 15 years, unless your a PC, treehuggers, gay.

Classy.

Exactly, shouldn't you be contributing to the consistent decline of the Tribune? Takes a lot of time, surprised you're on here.

[kira67]

Campus Town West !!

[MileHigh]

Campus Town West !!

if we are talking about off campus living, you could pay a whole lot more and live in 2040s...which is ridiculously overpriced and an excellent reason why i'm not living there next year

[🏀]

Campus Town West !!

if we are talking about off campus living, you could pay a whole lot more and live in 2040s...which is ridiculously overpriced and an excellent reason why i'm not living there next year

My lease at 2040 is cheaper than a Campus Town lease.

[chapman]

Campus Town West !!

if we are talking about off campus living, you could pay a whole lot more and live in 2040s...which is ridiculously overpriced and an excellent reason why i'm not living there next year

My lease at 2040 is cheaper than a Campus Town lease.

Most of the Campus Town apartments "standards" are for two people per bedroom.  This means in a two bedroom that you probably have about as much living space per person in the apartment as the rooms in Mashuda.  If you put two people in the "four person" apartment you would probably be better off just purchasing your first home because your mortgage payments would probably be less.  Plus the "furnished" part of the apartments means you get stuck with the crappiest of furniture. 

[sean980]

I am shocked that no one has mentioned Renee Row on this thread for a place to live as an upperclassmen (since the issue of upperclassmen apartments has infiltrated the thread).  The apartments there always had the best parties and at the beginning of the year there used to be 500+ students who would cram into the courtyard for a huge block party (until the cops arrived of course and shut it down).

[chapman]

I am shocked that no one has mentioned Renee Row on this thread for a place to live as an upperclassmen (since the issue of upperclassmen apartments has infiltrated the thread).  The apartments there always had the best parties and at the beginning of the year there used to be 500+ students who would cram into the courtyard for a huge block party (until the cops arrived of course and shut it down).

Thankfully DPS is a student's best friend.  When the courtyard would be packed with freshmen at the beginning of the year they would come around to send them running and encourage the people who were hosting the parties to give DPS a call if they needed help reducing the crowd.

[Strokin 3s]

It has been for awhile, probably at least a decade.  Back when freshman were allowed to stay at Schroeder, sophomores could stay at McCormick.  Now, Schroeder is sophomores only and McCormick is Freshman Only. 

Correction, you can choose to stay in McCormick as a sophomore if you wish.  A group of my friends and I debated this option as we liked just about everyone that was on our wing.  Just get everyone to stay there.

[jaybilaswho?]

I am shocked that no one has mentioned Renee Row on this thread for a place to live as an upperclassmen (since the issue of upperclassmen apartments has infiltrated the thread).  The apartments there always had the best parties and at the beginning of the year there used to be 500+ students who would cram into the courtyard for a huge block party (until the cops arrived of course and shut it down).

Thankfully DPS is a student's best friend.  When the courtyard would be packed with freshmen at the beginning of the year they would come around to send them running and encourage the people who were hosting the parties to give DPS a call if they needed help reducing the crowd.

I graduated last may and had to move out of the best party house on campus... 946 n 18th st. We had so many large parties there that we bought a $1300 from our profits. we would make, on average, $400 in PROFITS every party. We never had to buy any of our personal beer as revenue went to beer, goodies for the house, utilities and kegs for the next party. Thank you freshmen. We had beer pong leagues there, christmas parties (as if you need an excuse to dress like a retarded christmas caroler and get faded) and through some mean block parties. 946 is where its at... F Renee Row (although the beginning of the year courtyard parties were fun as hell). Best memories: seeing freshmen peeing on top of the hill behind the bushes and PS would put a spot light on them and just watching them run like hell was the best.