As an incoming freshman, you’ve spent hours upon hours manipulating your GPA, compiling essays out of thin air and juggling a wide array of extra-curricular activities – all to ensure your admittance into the college of dreams, otherwise known as the University of Illinois. Now that you’re in, a new wave of requirements and executive decisions may seem equally if not more daunting, a big one being housing.
With over 20 residence halls to choose from, picking the best housing option for your first year of college can be a little overwhelming. No need to stress—HC Illinois has got you covered! We’ve narrowed down UIUC’s university and private residency options to a list of four of the most popular, giving you the pros, cons and quirks of each. Meaning you can concentrate your energy on more important things—a.k.a. your college wardrobe :)
“The Six Pack” (Garner, Weston, Forbes, Hopkins, Scott, & Snyder Hall):
The Six What…?- Dually a nod to college beverage culture, “The Six Pack” actually refers to the close-proximity layout of six of the main university housing halls.
Pros-
- Six dorms in one area as well as co-ed dorms means meeting a ton of new people on the regular.
- The Six Pack dorms are right across the street from the ARC (the largest and newest recreation center) and less than ten minutes away from Green Street and the Quad on foot.
- Access to Ikenberry Commons with a meal plan, Chambana’s brand new (and gigantic) dining hall.
Cons-
- Some of the dorms have not yet been installed with air conditioning, making early fall and late spring a bit uncomfortable.
Bromley Hall
“Da Brom”- Bromley Hall is has been one of UIUC’s premier private certified housing establishments for over 40 years and is home to a variety of freshman as well as upper-class students.
Pros-
- Fully air-conditioned and “suite-style” rooms, which means sharing a semi-private bathroom with an additional room. More privacy and the opportunity to meet more people!
- On-site dining facility, indoor pool, fitness center and cozy first-floor lounge.
- Mere blocks from The Red Lion and in a central location in terms of proximity to the majority of fraternity and sorority houses.
Cons-
- A bit pricier than university housing options.
- Mandatory one-year contract meaning you’ll have to stick it out with a tough roomie or forfeit moving elsewhere until sophomore year.
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Pennsylania Avenue Residence/Florida Avenue Residence (PAR/FAR)
How Convenient- PAR/FAR residence halls feature the newest dining halls and are located next to McKinley Health Center, the university’s main campus health center.
Pros-
- Large dining hall with daily delicious options like pizza, make-your-own stir-fry and tacos. If you don’t live here, you will definitely be making the trip for dinner multiple times.
- Air-conditioned rooms.
Cons-
- Located on the Urbana side of the university, students often refer to these dorms as “PAR/FAR,” meaning they are far away from the central campus. While this is true, UIUC’s campus bus system features a stop at the PAR/FAR dorms to get around on campus more quickly.
Illini Towers (IT)
The Social Network- Illini Towers private certified residence hall prides itself on providing students with an environment for a healthy academic and social college career, while hosting social programs like Casino Night and Bingo Night.
Pros-
- Suite-style accommodations, semi-private bathrooms and full kitchens in each unit mean lots of space for you.
- Weekly housekeeping.
- Electronic key card door locks.
- Game room, movie theater, study lounge and fitness center!
- Flexible meal plan options.
Cons-
- One of UIUC’s pricier housing options.