For the vast majority of U.S. colleges, dorm rooms are about as far from glamorous as you can possibly get. Resembling prisons more than palaces, dorm rooms usually involve squeezing students into cinder-block chambers, complete with bare bones furniture and the quintessential decades-old carpet with, um, slightly concerning mystery stains.
But for some lucky students, dorm rooms aren’t so bad. Truthfully, they’re downright awesome. If you’re ready to experience some serious dorm room envy, check out these 8 incredible dorms at colleges across the country.
MIT’s Simmons Hall
Two words: ball pit. Yep, this undergraduate residence is home to a real-life adult sized play pit filled with chunky plastic balls. There is quite simply no better stress reliever. Aside from adult playpens, Simmons Hall is renowned for its spectacular (and sponge-like) architecture.
Loyola University of Maryland
More modern apartment than typical dorm room, Loyola University of Maryland is famous for its chic student housing. The best dorms here boast huge living spaces, walk-in closets, full kitchens, and private bathrooms.
Brandeis’ Usen Castle
Most of the dorms at Brandeis are pretty par for the course, except for Usen Castle. As the name suggests, it’s a real live castle. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, and there are more stories, myths, and legends associated with it than you could possibly cover on a campus tour.
Illinois Institute of Technology’s State Street Village
Gorgeous architecture. Spectacular views of the Chicago skyline from the rooftop terraces. Fancy televisions in the lounges on every floor. These are just a few of the reasons that State Street Village (better known as SSV) is known as being one of the best dorms in the country. Bathrooms are semi-private and suites are that oh-so-cool combination of modern minimalism.
St. Lawrence University’s Yurts
If you happen to attend St. Lawrence University, you should definitely make plans to check out the Adirondack Semester. This program takes you to an off-the-grid yurt village that you’ll call get to call home for the entire term. We guarantee that you’ll never see another dorm room like it.
Boston University’s StuVi2
StuVi2 (or Student Village 2, for those not in the know) offers its residents the most incredible views of the Boston skyline—especially from the penthouse suite on the 26th floor. Other perks include music practice rooms and walk-in closets. Now that’s living!
University of Michigan’s North Quad
The University of Michigan’s North Quadrangle Residential and Academic Complex has just about everything a college student could ever want. Combining school facilities with dorm rooms into one state-of-the-art building, students will practically never have to leave. Bonus: the dining hall is infamous for some outrageously tasty concoctions. Burger crumble tacos, anyone?
Washington University’s South 40
Washington University’s South 40 House features totally renovated student housing—and so much more. A market, a café, a 6,100 square foot fitness center, a rooftop garden, intramural fields and courts, and student-run businesses are just some of the things you’ll find within this bona fide student community. Fair warning: you’ll wish you could stay a student forever.
