Sherman Ave Freshman Guide: Elder Hall
Hello future heinouses. So housing applications just came out, and you’ve probably been attempting to do research on the dorms at Northwestern. Maybe you ask older friends who go to NU about the dorms, sift through the Residential Life website, or you’ve seen that one article that names Bobb the biggest party dorm in the country (to be honest they probably ranked dorms based on how often and strongly they smell like vomit). So you’re wondering where you’d fit in. Do you want to live North or South? Do you want a big dorm or a small dorm? Do you want to live somewhere that’s actually not a shit hole? Should you live in a dorm with a dining hall? Can you tolerate the smell of vomit on the daily? If you answered “North,” “big,” "yes," “DUH,” and “not really,” LIVE IN ELDER.
Location: Elder is the dorm farthest North on campus. This is extremely convenient for two types of people: those who are science majors and will have classes in Tech, and those who attend frat parties (they’re right across the street). Yes, if you have to take a language the trek from North to South and South to North will suck BUT you can get over it. It's pretty great being able to roll out of bed for 9AM gen chem at 8:54 and still make it to class on time. If you’re a music or theatre major this may not be the best place for you, unless the proximity to the frats takes precedence over the distance to the music/theater buildings, in which case let’s be friends.
Social: Elder is an all-freshman dorm (the only one!), which makes people a little skeptical at first. Is it cool to live with only freshman? YES. This is part of what makes Elder awesome. The fact that everyone in the building is a freshman makes making new friends at the beginning of the year easy, because everyone is EXCITED to meet everyone else. Floors usually become their own cliques, which can be cool. And the CAs are usually pretty chill so you can usually drink with a few friends in a room as long as you use common sense and don’t do anything stupid to get caught.
Dining Hall: The food can be really hit or miss. The dining hall is a lot smaller than Sargent or Allison, so there is not as much selection. However, there is always a good salad bar and deli, and the pizza is pretty decent. The best part of Elder’s dining hall is its convenience. Nothing is better than just having to walk downstairs to eat when there’s a -15 degree windchill outside.
Biddies per hallway: 13
Bangable boys per hallway: 2
Room size: Average
Other things you should know:
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Nearly everyone in Elder will go Greek. It’s just what happens.
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The CSOs pretty laid back. You can usually get by bringing someone in who doesn’t live in Elder by saying “yes” when they ask “do you all live here?” as you walk in the door.
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The girl's bathroom on the second floor has flooded twice this year, and the power has gone out. Not sure what that’s about.
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Elder has the best hot cookie bar. Trust me, I’ve been been studying this all year.
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If you are like me and get distracted in your room while doing some serious studying but don’t want to walk all the way to a library, Elder has a big study lounge with couches and tables that is quiet 24 hours a day.
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People who don’t live in Elder or Allison always comment on how nice Elder is when they visit Elder. So that’s cool, I guess.
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Elder has its own kitchen. This would be cool if people would learn how to clean up after themselves and not steal the cooking tools that are supposed to be for everyone.
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There are two lounges per floor (one on the Elder side, one on the Lincoln side) each with their own TV.
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It’s really easy to find other people who have the same classes as you.
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People will be loud while you are trying to sleep. Buy ear plugs.
- RESPECT YOUR ELDERS
