Cary Quadrangle, affectionately known as "Cary," is a sprawling dorm with diverse room types. It is especially praised for its prime location, within walking distance to the academic campus, Armstrong Hall, Ford dining, and vibrant quad. For sports enthusiasts, Mackey and Ross-Ade stadiums are nearby. Students appreciate the suite-style rooms in Cary's outer buildings (West, NW, NE, East), which offer spacious, air-conditioned rooms with a semi-private bathroom. They also note a quiet atmosphere despite its size, weekly cleaning service, and exciting dorm-sponsored events.

However, Cary has some downsides. Parking is limited, and access to laundry rooms is inconvenient, particularly in the South building where none exist. Some found game days noisy, and the distance to the central part of the Residential Campus was considered a drawback. Students were divided about Cary South: while many complained about the small, un-air-conditioned rooms famously known as "Cary Closets," others appreciated the community spirit they created.

Despite these minor issues, students felt living in Cary was a memorable experience, thanks to its lively community atmosphere, student-oriented facilities, and iconic status. They recommend choosing rooms in the outer buildings and bringing a Brita due to lack of water bottle fillers in East.


Earhart Hall is a popular choice among freshmen at the college, offering a mix of comfort, community, and convenience. This dorm is considered one of the nicer options on campus, boasting air conditioning and a relatively newer building structure compared to others. Dorm rooms are cozy, albeit slightly small for two people, yet they feature great closets with built-in mirrors and desks that fit neatly under lofted beds. The communal bathrooms, recently renovated, are a highlight, praised for their cleanliness, modernity, and excellent water pressure.

Located a bit away from the academic campus, the dorm compensates with a bus stop right outside for easy commuting, as well as proximity to the COREC and Krach facilities. A major perk is the dining court within the building, offering decent food and with popular features like a soft serve ice cream rotation. Although some aspects show the building’s age, such as the elevators, Earhart Hall remains a liveable and social environment, vibrant with a diverse community. Many former residents recount making lifelong friendships and finding an inclusive atmosphere conducive to both study and fun.

First Street Towers is a nearly brand new dormitory featuring only single rooms, which are quite spacious and modern. These rooms are ideal for students who value privacy, with each including an adjustable air conditioning unit and a private bathroom. Although the bathrooms are small, they are maintained clean by the friendly cleaning staff who visit once a week. The dorm is equipped with excellent amenities, such as study spaces, two small lounges with kitchen sinks, microwaves, and TVs on each floor, as well as free laundry facilities, including two washers and dryers per laundry room. However, there is only one kitchen for the entire building, which might be a limitation for those who frequently cook. The dorm is known for being quiet and lacking a sense of community, as interactions between residents seem minimal and events hosted by resident assistants often see low attendance. The most significant drawback is its location, with a 20-30 minute walk to academic buildings, but it's close to dining halls and the Aspire food court.

Harrison Hall, a residence hall at Purdue University, offers a generally positive living experience with a few caveats. The rooms are comfortably sized, with large walk-in closets and private bathrooms that residents appreciate, especially when toilets and showers are conveniently in the same stall. The air conditioning is effective, adding to the comfort of the rooms. Common areas, found in the basement and main floor, include study spots, board games, pool, and ping pong tables, although some students find them underwhelming. Dining is convenient with the popular Harrison Grill located in the main lobby. One downside is the location, which requires a 15-20 minute walk to central campus areas, though bus stops nearby offer relief. Issues with lighting, window quality, and water pressure are noted, along with laundry challenges due to limited facilities. Overall, while Harrison may not stand out for its convenience, it fosters a peaceful environment, making it a solid choice for freshmen.

Hawkins Hall offers a mixed bag of experiences, highlighted by affordability, a prime location, and varying degrees of room quality. The building itself is older, with outdated amenities such as thin walls and unreliable thermostats. However, Hawkins shines with its convenient closeness to the academic campus, underground tunnels, and surrounding attractions like Chauncey and the Union. For those seeking budget accommodations, single rooms with communal bathrooms are an economical choice, while more space and privacy can be found in the double rooms with shared or private bathrooms. The dorm features both coed and single-gender floors, with the east side primarily singles and the more active west side for doubles. Residents appreciate frequent cleaning services despite logistical inconveniences, although the bathrooms and water heating systems often receive mixed reviews. Overall, Hawkins attracts a quieter, more laid-back crowd, although the occasional late-night fire alarm disrupts the peace.

Hillenbrand Hall offers a modern and comfortable living experience for college students, characterized by its spacious suite-style rooms and private bathrooms shared only with suitemates. The dorm is praised for its cleanliness and high-quality amenities including controllable air conditioning and heating. Each floor features a lounge and a kitchen, adding to the convenience and comfort of the residents. Although the dorm is situated further away from the main academic campus, residents appreciate its proximity to the COREC and other dining courts. The on-site dining court is noted for its quality, despite being less favored than Earhart by some. The basement offers additional amenities such as a gym, washers and dryers, a music room, and the practicality of a to-go box option from the dining hall. Hillenbrand Hall is particularly popular for those who value privacy and great views, though its distance from central campus may be a drawback for some. Overall, Hillenbrand Hall stands out as one of the best dorms on campus, especially for its spaciousness and the convenience of having a private bathroom.

Honors College and Residences at Purdue University is heralded as one of the top dorm choices, particularly for freshmen, due to its strategic location and excellent amenities. It offers two sections, North and South, connected via an underground tunnel, with North being co-ed and South exclusively for women. The dorms are praised for their modern, spacious rooms with abundant natural light and plenty of closet space, making them comfortable living options. Each floor is equipped with multiple lounges for socializing or studying, and the building includes conveniences like a half-kitchen in North and a full-kitchen in South, as well as a computer lab and printer in South. The proximity to academic buildings, dining options including Cosi and Chick-fil-A, and campus landmarks like Mackey and Ross-Ade is a major draw. Despite the few drawbacks like occasional bathroom cleanliness issues and strict ResLife policies, residents generally find the community vibrant, with numerous social and academic events fostering a lively environment. However, the price is noted to be a bit high. Overall, Honors College and Residences provide an excellent balance of comfort, convenience, and community engagement.

McCutcheon Hall is a standard freshman dormitory offering a solid living experience with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. The double rooms are adequately sized, providing sufficient space and storage, including decent closet space and room under the beds. A standout feature is the recently renovated bathrooms, which, despite being communal and posing some privacy issues, are in good condition. The building is equipped with useful amenities like a laundry room, vending machines, communal and study spots, and even a computer lab in the lobby. On the downside, its notorious location, often referred to as the "McCutcheon Mile," makes it the furthest dorm from academic buildings and dining options, although the proximity to a large student parking garage is a plus for those with cars. While the building itself is unremarkable and its orientation is somewhat odd, resulting in frequent use of back entrances, McCutcheon Hall remains a straightforward and acceptable option for first-year students, aided by the added comfort of air conditioning.

Meredith Hall is a dorm rich in character and value, known for being budget-friendly while offering a robust sense of community. Despite its cost-effective nature, Meredith Hall features rooms with generous storage and large windows, essential for airflow given there is no A/C. However, the absence of air conditioning makes late summer months a bit uncomfortable. The heating system can be unreliable, but many students find the room sizes cozy. Despite its nickname, "Dirty Dith," and occasional cockroach sightings, the dorm's community shines, with RAs organizing fun activities and promoting a strong communal bond. The bathrooms are functional with good water pressure, though they are not glamorous and some fixtures might be out of order at times. Famed for its prime location next to dining options, study spaces, the gym, and academic buildings, Meredith Hall is perfect for those who prioritize affordability, location, and community over luxury.

Owen Hall offers a mixed living experience, popular among students for its friendly community and convenient location. Situated close to Ford Dining Court and within walking distance of CoRec, Owen Hall provides easy access to dining and fitness facilities. While the rooms are standard and lack air conditioning, residents often adapt with mini fans or keep windows open, enjoying fresh air and pretty views. The community spirit is strong, with open doors fostering communication and hallway events offering opportunities to connect. The mailroom stands out for efficiency, and the presence of multiple bus routes compensates for its distance from academic buildings. However, Owen Hall faces some challenges like noisy game days and loud freshmen. Cleanliness of the bathrooms is a hit or miss, with inconsistent shower experiences and sporadic issues with bugs, particularly on the first floor. Despite these downsides, Owen Hall remains functional and offers a decent living arrangement with chances to elevate the experience through student initiative and event participation.

Shreve Hall offers a classic dorm experience with standard double rooms featuring essential furnishings like a bed, desk, chair, closet with a drawer set, and a vanity mirror. The rooms are relatively small, akin to most college dorms, but they do provide a decent amount of closet space, even a 'walk-in' type, albeit not very spacious. The central air conditioning is a notable perk. The dorm’s restrooms are shared, with the girls' side benefitting from recent updates, whereas the guys' side retains its older layout. The common spaces within Shreve include an updated lobby and a study lounge on the first two floors, alongside a basement study/computer area, fostering a good academic environment despite the lack of a floor-level common area. Ideal for socializing, Shreve’s location is a highlight, as it sits in the center of dining courts and close to retail spots like Panera and QDoba. Its proximity to the Corec and the field complex makes it favorable for fitness enthusiasts, though classes require a fifteen-minute walk. Overall, Shreve Hall presents a mixed but positive residential experience, especially in terms of its social and logistical convenience.

Tarkington Hall, commonly known as Tark, offers a unique college experience with its vibrant community and prime location, though it comes with its fair share of challenges. It's an all-male dorm with a reputation for fostering strong camaraderie among residents, where open doors and spontaneous hangouts are a norm. One of the standout features is its location, conveniently near the Co-Rec center, Wiley and Ford dining courts, and Slater Hill. Despite its social perks, Tark is an old and outdated building, lacking air conditioning, which makes it uncomfortable during warmer months. The bathrooms are notoriously problematic, often suffering from issues like flooding and poor sanitation. Additionally, rooms can be cramped, especially when converted into triples due to housing shortages. While there's no elevator, the Shark Tank provides entertainment with TVs, ping pong, and pool. Overall, Tark may be rough around the edges, but its sense of community and friendships make it a memorable choice for many residents.

Wiley Hall is a budget-friendly option on campus, often described as a "you get what you pay for" dormitory. The building, constructed in the 1950s, shows its age, with some rooms appearing as though they haven't been updated since then. The rooms are relatively small, and due to campus overcrowding, many are housing three students instead of the intended two. The absence of air conditioning is a significant drawback, especially during the warmer months when rooms can reach uncomfortably high temperatures despite the use of multiple fans.

The bathrooms are frequently criticized for their poor conditions, with reports of nonfunctional toilets, paper towels strewn about, and recurring issues with cleanliness. The showers, in particular, are notorious for unpleasant conditions, requiring students to wear slides to avoid issues like athlete's foot.

Despite these shortcomings, Wiley Hall boasts an excellent location. It's conveniently situated near the Corec, Wiley Dining Court, and within a short walking distance from several dining options like Chick-Fil-A, Ford Dining Court, and Windsor Dining Court. Most academic buildings are about a ten-minute walk away, and there's a bus stop right outside, offering easy access to different parts of campus. Students generally recommend spending as much time as possible outside the dorm to maximize the benefits of its prime location.

Purdue University is a public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States.

Purdue dorms come in a few different styles: from standard double rooms in a traditional residence hall, to suite and semi-suite rooms, to single rooms and apartments. Purdue offers a host of options and choosing an option is dependent on what you prioritize in your living space, whether that be location and convenience, communal space, parking, amenities and preferred number of roommates.

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