See the 2009 edition of our housing guide over here, updated with new videos, photos and more!
Welcome to NBN’s freshman housing guide. It’s a work in progress, but the bulk of the guide consists of video interviews with residents, and most dorms have photos and quotes as well. Click on a dorm to begin.
Plus, some advice: Not sure where to start when it comes to housing? One of our writers gives you her take on what matters when it comes to freshman dorms.
Are you a Northwestern student who didn’t fill out the housing survey the first time? You can take it here. (Only open to residents of dorms available to the Class of 2012.)

I really wish this had existed when I was a freshman.
Emily
May 29, 2008 at 3:21 am
This is amazing. Congratulations NBN…once again you have proved that you are far more personable and useful than other campus publications. As a current freshman, a piece of advice to incoming freshmen – everyone will love their dorms, but unless you are really interested in the theme of a Res College go with a bigger dorm. Allison, Elder, Bobb! Big three baby!
Jason
May 29, 2008 at 3:37 am
Props. As an incoming freshman this fall, this has answered all the questions I had. It’s definitely helpful.
Elle
May 29, 2008 at 4:59 pm
This makes willard look like a nerdy dorm where there are absolutely no parties or no normal cool people. A pregame in Willard is just as tight as one in allison or elder.
Bobbs on a whole other playing field
not-wooshack
June 1, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Really nice job, but the distances (especially to Tech) seem a lil messed up! Good job though!
Justin
June 8, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Correction:
Jones HAS air conditioning! We are an air conditioned dorm! And we have our own theater.
Stephanie
June 20, 2008 at 5:03 pm
cci is amazing and there will be air conditioning next year and all new furniture!
Lu
April 25, 2009 at 1:54 pm
PS Jones still has air conditioning. And a theater. And a scene shop, art studio, midi studio, and practice rooms.
Tori
April 25, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I really wish I’d had this as a freshman. Great work!
Ginger Brew
April 25, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Housing forms came out a few days ago for the Fall 2009 Freshmen… I’m not completing my form until you guys get a chance to update this guide! I want to be certain I make a good decision with my housing preferences!
Mike
May 17, 2009 at 9:41 am
yea updating this right now would be a good idea :)
NU '13
May 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm
put up quotes and photos for Elder!
'13
May 17, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Hey guys–
Just to give you a heads up, we’ll be publishing our updated housing guide sometime tonight. So don’t make your decisions yet — come back to the site tomorrow for brand new information.
Thanks,
Megan Friedman
Editor-in-chief
Megan Friedman
May 17, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Awesome! Thank you, Megan! I posted the link on the NU ‘13 Facebook page, so hopefully most people will get a chance to check this out before filling out their applications.
Mike
May 17, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Awesome guide! I wish I had seen this when I was applying for housing before coming to Northwestern. One thing tho – Elder has AC too!
Fresh Frosh
May 18, 2009 at 3:30 am