Hello, future baby Buff!
You probably googled ‘best CU dorms’ and ended up here. I’ve got you covered, so you can go ahead & close out those other tabs with information from 2006. They were no help at all for me, so I thought I’d be here for you now that I’ve spent my fair share of time in CU’s dorms. Anywho, happy dorm-selecting! How exciting. Keep reading to hear what’s up with Libby breakfast, why it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t live in Baker, and why living in WillVill isn’t the worst thing in the world.
Libby Hall
I’m slightly biased as I spent my freshman year in Libby, but you really do find great people in those halls. The rooms are a tad small, but the washers & dryers still (mostly) work. The RAP program is focused on the Arts, and will definitely give you some eclectic class options for your freshman year. Horror Films in American Culture sounds way more interesting than that writing 101 class your friend is taking in her RAP, right? The dining hall is gone, and I heard it’s now more classroom & study space, so you’ll never get to experience Libby’s famous breakfasts, but you’ll be right by Farrand Field. Every time you walk out those back doors of Libby, the Flatirons are there to say ‘good morning’ and your friends in Baker will always welcome you over to their newly-refurbished pads.
Baker Hall
Ah, Baker. The one that got away (for me, and many others). It tops most Buff’s lists for the best dorms due to it’s new look & hotel feel. Plus, there’s AC, which means no loud, annoying, and unreliable fan taking up space in your tissue-box of a room. Libby is right next door, and from what I’ve heard, the RAP classes aren’t terrible. Definitely put this one on the top of your list.
Farrand Hall
Pretty sure this is the oldest dorm on campus, but I’m not a tour guide, so don’t take my word for it. Farrand is nice, but be wary if you aren’t one for stairs. With five floors, you’ll be wheezing by the time you’re at the top if you’re not properly adjusted to Boulder’s high altitude. The view is great from most rooms, and an added bonus? The Farrand Grab & Go and Market are right in your building! Late night munchies and quick food runs will be right at the tips of your fingers.
Sewall
Apparently, Sewall is haunted. Located right by The Rec Center, you’ll surely be more likely to get your workouts in if you live in Sewall. Plus, Sewallians have their own dining hall and market. You might be located a bit of the beaten path, but you’re closer to The Hill than everyone else & that will make going out in the winter loads easier.
Chey Ho
You’re probably going to live here if you’re a smarty pants & got into the B-School (AKA Leeds School of Business). Kids here are smart, so tell your parents not to fret, you’ll pull killer grades with the help of your entire floor peer-pressuring you into studying extra hard for that econ exam. Also, it’s located right by Farrand Field. Good grades and socialization? You’re golden.
Kittredge
Again, Kitt is off the beaten path, but a cozy little village not far from the C4C or Fiske Planetarium. There’s even a Starbucks right across the street, so you won’t have to deal with the madness of Starbucks on The Hill. If you’re in the honors college, you’ll be living it up in Smith. The rooms are huge, and I mean huge. They’re probably bigger than your room at home. There’s also a market at Kitt, so snacks are easily accessible.
WillVill
I promise William’s Village is not as bad as it seems. And I’m only kind of saying that to make you feel better. The Buff Bus sometimes sucks, and sometimes you’ll miss it, but you won’t be the only one. There’s also an app to track the bus, so don’t fret! You’ll also get to enjoy the newly built dining center (I swear it’s nicer than the C4C) and Bear Creek Rec Center. The dorm rooms are bigger, and you’ll be forced to bond with friends in your hall when the Buff Bus isn’t running or you’re snowed in. Will Vill is an experience like no other, and definitely not in a bad way.
And the rest…
Well, they’re not really worth mentioning. They’re the same old thing. Willard is similar to Libby, probably even more so now that Libby breakfast is gone. Hallett is conveniently located across from the C4C, so you won’t have to walk far for your meals. Otherwise, you’re probably in a fancy engineering dorm that I, personally, a psych major, have never heard of.
The thing is, my future Buffs, it’s not about the building where you rest your pretty little head at night, but it’s about the people you meet there. And everywhere on campus, as a matter of fact. My best friends lived in Kittredge, Libby, Baker, WillVill, and all over, but we all ended up on Farrand Field together, out on The Hill, and running into eachother as we raced around (super lost, in the beginning) from one biology lecture to another. I remember a junior told me and my friends when we were freshman, “You guys are going to miss this, trust me.” And man, believe me, she was right. Your first year at CU is the greatest, and what dorm you live in has little to do with that. You’ll find your people all over Boulder, make your crazy memories, and miss it by the time you’re an upperclassmen.
Nevertheless, good luck with the dorm selections, baby Buffs! Don’t forget the most important thing: you’ll be living in Boulder, Colorado, and nothing is better than that. XO