Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Top Questions

We have several options. 1) Most freshman are placed in East dorm halls, which are your average doubles. They have wall shelves that are spacious, as well as a ledge for books and alarm clocks. Each student has their own desk and closet. Bathrooms are often shared between 12 other residents, but have several stalls and showers. 2) North Halls are located near the Music/Theatre and Agricultural buildings. Therefore, most of the residents are either music, theatre, art, or agricultural majors. They are part of what's called a special livings option (SLO), guaranteeing them 4 years housing in north halls. North is fairly expensive due to their Suite setup. Bathrooms are shared between 4 residents and A/C and heating are provided. 3) West halls are located near the engineering buildings so a majority of their residents are in engineering or aerospace. West halls is fairly new and has a beautifully-architectural brick arches. They also offer an organic convenience store. (note: every dorm commons has a convenience store that accepts meal points and normal modes of currency). 4) South halls are closest to downtown and house a variety of students. The two honors dorms are also located in south halls. South offers regular doubles, triples, and quads. The honors dorms are fairly larger than normal dorms. South boasts what I believe is the best food court on campus that is also the only commons that offers latenight food options all semester. (Other commons will offer latenight only during finals week) 5) Pollock halls are known for housing sororities. They boast Pollock Commons which is the healthiest commons on campus. They have a volleyball court and basketball courts, as well as a large quad. 6) Eastview terrace contains only singles with their own bathrooms. They are fairly expensive and somewhat far from most educational buildings on campus but eastview has a beautiful quad, somewhat inspired by small liberal arts colleges like swarthmore. 7) Nittany apartments are apartment-style dorms available on campus, housing 4 residents (in 2 doubles) with a bathroom and kitchen. Nittany apartments are located further away from educational buildings than eastview terrace and often house athletes since it's closer to the outside pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, and outdoor track. *Almost every dorm has a grand piano. Each dorm commons desk also have pool equipment and ping pong equipment readily available for residents to check out. Atherton Hall (honors dorm in south) and north halls also provide specialized rooms. Atherton has two soundproof rooms, one with a standing piano. North has a work room for students with art projects.

We have several options. 1) Most freshman are placed in East dorm halls, which are your average doubles. They have wall shelves that are spacious, as well as a ledge for books and alarm clocks. Each student has their own desk and closet. Bathrooms are often shared between 12 other residents, but have several stalls and showers. 2) North Halls are located near the Music/Theatre and Agricultural buildings. Therefore, most of the residents are either music, theatre, art, or agricultural majors. They are part of what's called a special livings option (SLO), guaranteeing them 4 years housing in north halls. North is fairly expensive due to their Suite setup. Bathrooms are shared between 4 residents and A/C and heating are provided. 3) West halls are located near the engineering buildings so a majority of their residents are in engineering or aerospace. West halls is fairly new and has a beautifully-architectural brick arches. They also offer an organic convenience store. (note: every dorm commons has a convenience store that accepts meal points and normal modes of currency). 4) South halls are closest to downtown and house a variety of students. The two honors dorms are also located in south halls. South offers regular doubles, triples, and quads. The honors dorms are fairly larger than normal dorms. South boasts what I believe is the best food court on campus that is also the only commons that offers latenight food options all semester. (Other commons will offer latenight only during finals week) 5) Pollock halls are known for housing sororities. They boast Pollock Commons which is the healthiest commons on campus. They have a volleyball court and basketball courts, as well as a large quad. 6) Eastview terrace contains only singles with their own bathrooms. They are fairly expensive and somewhat far from most educational buildings on campus but eastview has a beautiful quad, somewhat inspired by small liberal arts colleges like swarthmore. 7) Nittany apartments are apartment-style dorms available on campus, housing 4 residents (in 2 doubles) with a bathroom and kitchen. Nittany apartments are located further away from educational buildings than eastview terrace and often house athletes since it's closer to the outside pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, and outdoor track.

We have several options. 1) Most freshman are placed in East dorm halls, which are your average doubles. They have wall shelves that are spacious, as well as a ledge for books and alarm clocks. Each student has their own desk and closet. Bathrooms are often shared between 12 other residents, but have several stalls and showers. 2) North Halls are located near the Music/Theatre and Agricultural buildings. Therefore, most of the residents are either music, theatre, art, or agricultural majors. They are part of what's called a special livings option (SLO), guaranteeing them 4 years housing in north halls. North is fairly expensive due to their Suite setup. Bathrooms are shared between 4 residents and A/C and heating are provided. 3) West halls are located near the engineering buildings so a majority of their residents are in engineering or aerospace. West halls is fairly new and has a beautifully-architectural brick arches. They also offer an organic convenience store. (note: every dorm commons has a convenience store that accepts meal points and normal modes of currency). 4) South halls are closest to downtown and house a variety of students. The two honors dorms are also located in south halls. South offers regular doubles, triples, and quads. The honors dorms are fairly larger than normal dorms. South boasts what I believe is the best food court on campus that is also the only commons that offers latenight food options all semester. (Other commons will offer latenight only during finals week) 5) Pollock halls are known for housing sororities. They boast Pollock Commons which is the healthiest commons on campus. They have a volleyball court and basketball courts, as well as a large quad. 6) Eastview terrace contains only singles with their own bathrooms. They are fairly expensive and somewhat far from most educational buildings on campus but eastview has a beautiful quad, somewhat inspired by small liberal arts colleges like swarthmore. 7) Nittany apartments are apartment-style dorms available on campus, housing 4 residents (in 2 doubles) with a bathroom and kitchen. Nittany apartments are located further away from educational buildings than eastview terrace and often house athletes since it's closer to the outside pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, and outdoor track.

The dorms at Penn State aren't horrible, but they aren't great either. Most of them are old and just worn down. There is a decent amount of storage space, just not a lot of closet space. Sharing a space with another person is hard, because these rooms don't have a lot of extra room. You definitely have no other option but to keep them clean, or else you won't have any room to live.

I will be completely honest with you. I have only been in three types of dorms here at Penn State. My best advice, stay away from the East Towers!! I had to spend one night there for a summer job overlap, and it was.....far from desirable. As far as the other two dorms I've seen, West and North. They are great! My friend would bust me that my dorm was like a hotel. Air-conditioning, your own desk, closet, drawers, microwave, and mini-fridge. North really does have the nicest setup. Meanwhile West is comfortable, large enough for two people to still have some space. Keep in mind, there are common rooms everywhere, and little hiding places, should you ever get sick of your roommate.

This video explores two dorm rooms at Penn State.

Off campus townhouses

Popular but pricey alternative to dorms. Each includes a kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a living room.

The freshman dorms are next to the library, near the Nittany Lion shrine, and across from the bus stop.

The West dorms, which are mainly for engineering majors.