The Housing Guide

What residents say

“I think Ayers is really convenient for any engineering or science student who would have a lot of classes in Tech. The only downside is, it’s very far from Evanston, but you can look at it on the bright side because you’d probably be spending less money because you’re not always in Evanston, and then that makes those trips to Evanston a little more special every time you do go down.”

Calvin Ng, McCormick sophomore

“Ayers is pretty nice. It’s a lot cleaner than any other dorms on campus, and also the room sizes are very large. I also enjoy the close proximity to Sargent [dining hall], and that they got new lighting in all the rooms this year, so it’s definitely a plus. CCI really has nothing to do with business. It is the business dorm but it has almost nothing to do with business at all.”

Ryan Wexler, Weinberg freshman

“Everything you want in a dorm is either in the dorm or nearby—you have free laundry, you have Lisa’s [Café] for food, you have SPAC if you need to go to the gym. If you have classes in Tech, they’re right there. I’ve lived here for three years and I can’t complain.”

Patrick Zhou, McCormick junior

“Since it’s a Residential College, it opens up opportunities to go to Symphonies, Second City, or other cultural events. You’re more likely to go because you know you might know someone who is there. I think I wouldn’t have gone to Chicago at night, at least not at first, if it was on my own. Also the firesides are really cool, where you can get food and really good one-on-one time with really interesting professors. I think that’s one of the things I enjoy most.”

Giovanna Varalta, McCormick freshman

“The room sizes are really big in comparison to other dorms, and when your room is big you have a lot of freedom to do what you want in your room. You can hang out in your room, which is something you can’t really do in other dorms on campus. What Ayers has going for it is room quality, general building structure, location – it’s next to Lisa’s and Kemper, so you can get mail [and food]. There’s a piano room, if you like playing the piano or singing, and it’s close to the library and two of the primary gyms.”

Arnold Lee, Weinberg freshman

“The best part of living in Ayers is the people. I think that everyone in our community is really welcoming. I have so many friends in Ayers and I feel like everyone is just willing to be your friend and be together.”

Kristen Stuzynski, McCormick freshman

“I love my ample closet space in Ayers, but I love the beautiful lake view from my dorm room window even more. Although a lot of my classes are on South Campus, I love North Campus life and everyone should experience living North at least some point during their time at Northwestern.”

Isabel Seidel, Medill freshman

What non-residents say

“There are students with all different majors. The fact that it’s business residential college doesn’t affect you. You participate as much as you want to.”

Leah Perri, Weinberg freshman

“The size of the rooms is not emphasized enough. Our rooms are huge and our closet space is really big, even compared to our closets at home. And there is a really great community. I walk down the hall and everyone smiles and says hi. We aren’t a cult like some residential colleges but we like each other.”

Wendy Roldan, McCormick freshman

“If you want a quiet atmosphere, you can work in your room, and if you want to see people you can literally just step outside your room and you’ll see people. You can make some great connections and I did. I can always walk into the lounge at 5 a.m. and find people I know because I’ve gotten to know basically everyone.”

Rahul Narain, McCormick freshman

“The best part about CCI is the atmosphere. Last year as a freshman I really liked CCI, but it kind of dies on you during the second year. Facilities wise, it’s pretty loaded. CCI has some of the biggest rooms on campus and all of the lounges are really nice with a big TV and Xbox. We do have ugly painting and fabric schemes though.”

Mark Towster, Weinberg sophomore

“I definitely did not picture being here for three years when I came here, but being involved is easy and fun without the commitment. I gained housing points without trying because we had so many events so I got a huge corner room my sophomore year and then a single. It’s a great place to live for three years. I’m kind of sad not to live here next year.”

Jenn Murphy, Weinberg junior