1. Freshmen living in Madison Hall, home to many athletes and feet away from the Gelman Library Starbucks, can enjoy a central location on campus. The residence, which houses 220 freshmen, is also the closest to Duques and Funger halls and a quick jaunt to the Academic Center.
2. Crawford, one of the oldest freshman halls, has the best view of Kogan Plaza. It is just a few steps away from Gelman Library, a perk you will appreciate the most during midterms and finals. About 158 freshmen across eight floors, mostly in doubles, will call the building home.
3. Early decision students typically nab spots in Potomac Housing because they get the first pick for housing. The six-year old building offers doubles with adjoining bathrooms for its 380 freshmen, making it the second-largest freshman dorm. Not only does Potomac House have one of the cleanest basement lounges on campus, it also sits atop Carvings, a small convenience store with killer quesadillas and fruity frozen yogurt.
4. With more than 1,100 freshmen living in rooms housing up to six students, it is no surprise Thurston Hall has picked up a reputation for a wild freshmen experience. Colloquially called “Thirsty Thurston,” the largest freshman residence hall is also the closest to the White House. Despite rumors, Secret Service snipers are not stationed on the roof.
1. Merriweather shares the hillsides with Clark, Cole and Hensley, but it stands out as the only all-female residence hall on the Mount Vernon Campus. About 45 females live in doubles in this hall, and its small size allows the women living there to form tight-knit bonds with hallmates.
2. Clark, Cole and Hensley, located on the Mount Vernon Campus hillsides, have easy access to Eckles Library, which is open 24 hours during midterms and finals. building has three floors of mostly doubles and singles. With just 40 students per building, these are some of the smallest halls on campus, and residents develop a strong sense of community.
3. Perched on the highest point of the Mount Vernon Campus, Somers Hall is just steps away from the Vern Express shuttle stop. This hall houses about 250 freshmen on three floors, with TV lounges and a foosball table on the lower level. After the neighboring Ames Hall opened last semester, freshmen living at Somers also gained easy access to a cafe with sandwiches and prime study spots.
4. Less than two years old, West Hall is GW’s only residence hall offering apartment-style living for freshmen. About 290 students live in suites that look out over the Mount Vernon Campus’ turf field and tennis courts. The six-story building also features a black-box theater, art studio and full fitness center. The dining hall, Pelham Commons, has a grill that serves late-night burgers and chicken fingers.
