There are 7 different dorms (and Stevens' Court -- a campus-run apartment complex) to choose from. Each one has its own perks and personality, but they're all pretty good. ^_^

There are two sections where the dorms are located; South Campus has Terry Hall, Lander Hall, and Mercer Hall. North Campus has McMahon Hall, Haggett Hall, McCarty Hall, and Hansee Hall.

North Campus is closer to most resources on campus, and is close by to University Village and somewhat near Greek Row. University Village is a large, somewhat high-brow shopping facility that includes stores such as The Gap, Abercrombie and Fitch, QFC, and many others. North Campus is also near many on-campus dining facilities, including one in McMahon Hall and one in Haggett Hall.

South Campus is further to most on-campus resources (although all within walking distance), but is close to "The Ave," or University Way, the backbone and hub of social activity in the University District. There are tons of stores here, but it's definitely not high brow like University Village; it's somewhat "dirty," full of traffic, and beggars abound. However, some of the best restaurants and specialty shops in all of Seattle are here. There's also the yearly Streetfair on the Ave (in May) which is great and bustling with activity.

Terry Hall and McMahon Hall are definitely the two most active and social of the residence halls in UW, and are the hardest to get into. I'm currently living in Terry Hall. McMahon and Terry are the only two halls with smoking floors, although in Fall 2000 smoking floors will be entirely eliminated. Terry Hall has traditional two-person rooms, a large single-sex bathroom every floor, and co-ed floors (with a couple exceptions). McMahon is different; each floor has single-sex "clusters" of 5 double rooms, each with a lounge, TV, and balcony. The floors are co-ed. McMahon has a convenience store and dining hall. Terry has a dining hall.

Most of the other dorms don't have anything particularly outstanding about them. All of the dorms except Lander and McCarty have ethernet access in all the rooms, but I believe ethernet access is being installed in those dorms this summer or fall.

Hansee Hall is only available to students 20+ or returning students. It's a 24 hour quiet hall. The other halls have quiet hours from 10pm-7am weekdays, 1am-7am weekends.

The rooms vary in size, but all are livable. They have enough room for 5+ people to be in the room at a time rather comfortably (if you have enough furniture!). For more information on the residence halls go to http://www.washington.edu/hfs.

The other housing option (besides the Greek system) is Steven's Court. It's a University-sponsored apartment building, with single and double apartments available. There's ethernet access and a convenience store in the apartment complex. You have to apply very early to get in here, but the cost is comparable to the normal residence halls. It's in south campus right by the other three south campus halls.



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