Mary Donlon Hall Reviews
Cornell University
Reviews Summary
Mary Donlon Hall is renowned as the ultimate social hub on North Campus, where friendships blossom in the vibrant community. The dorm's unique layout, resembling a fidget spinner, encourages interaction among residents. With gender-neutral bathrooms, a billiards room, a TT table, and even a beloved dog named Maggie, there is never a dull moment. While the building's aged look and lack of AC may deter some, the social scene more than makes up for it. Thin walls may allow noise to travel, but the shared spaces like the central lounge are always buzzing with activity. Despite occasional noise levels, residents praise the opportunities for socializing and forming lasting bonds. The dorm's central location and proximity to amenities like the library and dining options add to its appeal. While cleanliness and noise levels vary among residents, the camaraderie and sense of community in Mary Donlon Hall make it a memorable and cherished dorm experience for many students.
Social
Loud
Friendly
When students lived here
Freshman Year
19
Overall rating breakdown
Room
Building
Location
Bathroom
Browse 19 Student Reviews
Reviews with a Verified Student badge were written with a school email.
1 year ago
Very social scene and central on north campus. Every one you meet is cool, and it’s very easy to make friends
Verified Student
2 years ago
Double Room
Pros:
- room was decent sized - it feels airy if you lower the beds
- very social (bcoz fidget spinner shape)
- Billiards room, TT table, Maggie the dog on the first floor (loved maggie mondays!!)
- gender neutral bathrooms on each floor
- in-building library (with AC, the lounges on each floor also have AC)
Cons:
- old and musty (dont trust the carpets)
- no ceiling lights, no AC
- can be loud (but the newer dorms have thinner walls so lol)
Verified Student
2 years ago
I lived in a double and was pretty spacious. Walls are very thin and could hear our neighbors being loud.
Verified Student
2 years ago
Lots of events and there’s a dog and 2 cats in the building. It’s conveniently located on north ❤️❤️
5 years ago
Awesome social scene. Average building, but aside from lack of AC which only matters for a little while, its just as good as the newer dorms.
5 years ago
The most social dorm by far. It is very easy to make great friends in this building, even if you consider yourself an introvert.
5 years ago
Rooms are decent and amenities are okay. Not the best dorm on campus amenities wise. However, the social scene is very good and it is easy to make friends. This is because the doors are not fire doors so you can leave them open, which many students do, and the lounge is in the middle of the building, where people are funneled to due to the building shape (like a fidget spinner with the rooms on the three bars and the lounge in the middle circle). Dope dorm. Just don’t be a prick and learn to let loose (something I had to do).
5 years ago
Although I was not a partier in the slightest living in a dorm known as "the party dorm", I could not have been more lucky with my freshman dorm. I became genuine friends with almost everyone on my floor, no exaggeration. Everyone in this dorm gels so well together since the common room always has some people to talk to. Never got lonely here. Great atmosphere.
5 years ago
Very social dorm. There were always people around to talk to and the common rooms were always bustling. If you like to go to bed early and aren't a sound sleeper, or if you want to study in silence in your room anytime besides 5 am don't choose Donlon. If those don't apply to you then you will have a great time there and make a ton of lifelong friends.
5 years ago
Best dorm. Very easy to meet people and make friends, there are always people in the common areas, and often people from other dorms come to hang out and use the common areas in Donlon.
