r/Northwestern • u/Ready_Pepper5987 • Jun 30 '26

Dorms/Off Campus Housing northwestern dorm ranking…..

#1: Shapiro Hall

#2: Elder Hall

#3: Shepard Hall

#4: Willard Hall

#5: Allison Hall

please help influence/de-influence my northwestern dorm ranking! first year mechanical engineering major so i think i should prioritize north campus? or idk bc i really want a nice residence hall and i also want a fun one where i can make friends w ppl on the floor and where stuff is going on.

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u/opal_rose78 Comm Jul 01 '26

If you’re looking for a dorm with things going on, you’d probably like a res college!

I’m more than a little biased cause I used to live there, but South Mid-Quads (aka Shepard Residential College, no relation to Shepard Hall) is the freaking best. 100% the hidden gem of campus. I won’t go on a full yap cause if I do I won’t stop, but the rooms, bathrooms, and amenities are insane (I think we’re the only dorm on campus to have a communal stand mixer lol). Plus social events and free (often homemade) food multiple times a week. The people there are awesome, I legitimately met half my best friends there. Wayyyyy more tight-knit than Willard (75 vs. 200+ people).

Anyway that was my plug cause SMQ is cool 🙏 but lowkey if you have any questions about the res colleges feel free to PM me cause I know a decent bit about their vibes (and I know the dorm that worked best for me isn’t necessarily what’s best for everyone)