mcat4life87 wrote:I just got assigned to 362 Riverside Drive. Apparently it's a dorm. Anyone have any info on the building/area? I'll take anything I can get. I've heard that the dorms are horrible; anyone care to corroborate this claim and freak me out? Thanks in advance!
I agree with Caits...it looks like a pretty location! And you're right next to the metro.
Well, judging by this (
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ire/block/build/362rsdr.html), it looks like it's mostly grad students in the building, and you wouldn't be sharing a kitchen with more than 11 other people (at absolute most). You've got a 24-hour doorman, which is pretty cool (you don't have to worry about packages not being delivered!) Also, it's UAH housing, so you can always transfer to another UAH building next year if you don't like it.
Some CLS blogger ended up in a dorm their first year. You can view their entries on the subject here (--LinkRemoved--). The earlier entries are a bit alarming, but as you can see, everything worked out okay in the end for that person. I also think he may have had an unusually negative experience with the kitchen issue, but it seems like everyone, no matter where you are, has similar issues, and at least you're paying less for them in a dorm. And I'm sure the negative stuff made more more entertaining blog entries, anyway.
Plus, you'll make friends!