Kent State University Dorms: A Comprehensive Review for Prospective Students

Choosing the right university is a significant decision, and understanding the on-campus housing options is a crucial part of that process. If Kent State University is on your radar, this article provides a comprehensive review of its dormitories, offering insights into amenities, comfort, and the overall living experience.

On-Campus Housing Availability

Kent State University ensures on-campus housing for all first-year students, as they are generally required to live on campus. Demand for on-campus housing for upperclassmen may be higher than what can be accommodated, leading many students to opt for off-campus living after their first year.

Dormitory Options and Amenities

Kent State's dorms vary considerably in terms of amenities and comfort. Here’s a closer look at some popular choices:

Centennial Courts

Centennial Courts, comprising six buildings, offers students a slightly more private living space compared to other dorms. As one of the newer residence halls on campus, Centennial Courts features glass lounges, common areas, kitchen facilities, and a fireplace. It is conveniently located near Rosie’s, Munchies Market, and Prentice Cafe, a gluten-free dining hall. Halls are co-ed and house first-year through upper-class students. Room options include singles, doubles, and quads, with some rooms featuring private bathrooms.

Tommy Charnie, a sophomore architecture major, noted, "My favorite part of living in the CCA (Centennial Court A) dorm would be its amenities and the room size. My favorite memory that is directly related to the dorm would probably be the friends that I have met."

Read also: Exploring Kent Denver School

Eastway

Comprised of four halls (Allyn, Clark, Fletcher, and Manchester) connected by the Eastway Fresh Food Company dining hall, Eastway is a hub of on-campus living. Each hall houses approximately 245 first-year students and consists mostly of double rooms. Eastway has their very own market for you to grab some snacks and groceries for your room. Above the market is the dining hall where you can grab a meal. During certain times of the year, Eastway will have specials like crab legs and steak. This is usually before Christmas and towards the end of the year.

Tri-Towers

Kent State University’s Tri-Towers, which hold Koonce, Leebrick, and Wright Halls, houses approximately 1,335 first-year and upper-class students. Similar to Eastway, Tri-Towers offers residents a dining hall, Rosie’s Diner and Market. All rooms in Tri-Towers contain twin-extra large beds, carpeting, and air conditioning. Koonce and Wright Halls are comprised of double rooms, including semi-loftable furniture and microfridges. Leebrick Hall offers single rooms. It also has a recently added gym inside the building which is a huge plus. This gym is only open to students who live on campus, so it wont be as crowded as the main rec. This building is located closer to the math and science buildings as well.

Korb Hall

Situated between Eastway and Tri-Towers, Korb Hall is ideal for students who want to be a short walk from both Eastway Fresh Food Co. and Rosie’s. With six floors, Korb houses approximately 200 freshman students in two-person double rooms that are co-ed by room. Korb also offers gender-inclusive rooming options. All rooms contain twin-extra large beds, loft-able furniture, microfridges, carpeting, and air-conditioning.

The Quad

Located in the heart of campus, The Quad offers the most central location to all of campus, within a short walk of the Student Center and many academic buildings. The Quad consists of Lake, Olson, Johnson, and Stopher halls. Lake Hall is for exploratory majors, and Olson Hall is for communications students. Johnson and Stopher are for honors students only.

New Front

For students looking to be closer to front campus, housing in New Front offers a variety of different options. Dining near New Front housing includes Muchines Market and Prentice Cafe, located on the first floor of Prentice Hall. NewFront includes Dunbar, Prentice, Verder, and Engleman halls. Prentice made nationwide news for being the first gluten-free dining hall on a college campus.

Read also: Kent State Athletics Logo

Twin Towers

For students who want some privacy but are still looking to live with roommates, Twin Towers offers the best of both worlds. Rooms in Twin Towers feature a common area shared by two residents and two separate sleeping areas with separate room key cards. Dining near Twin Towers includes Eastway and Rosie’s.

Van Campen Hall

Situated on the edge of campus, Van Campen is the perfect place for residents looking to be away from the hustle and bustle. With three floors, Van Campen houses approximately 56 students in double, triple, and quad rooms.

Other Amenities

Most residence halls at Kent State offer standard amenities such as laundry services, study lounges, and Wi-Fi.

The Dorm Experience

While no residence hall at Kent State promises luxury, they are fundamentally functional in providing students with their basic living needs. Most students find the dorms comfortable enough for their college lives, appreciating the proximity to classes and university resources.

Cassandra Adams, a Kent State alumni who graduated in 2013, said, “I loved how clean and safe everything was. Going to the little grocery shop and stocking up with my roommate."

Read also: Next Steps at Kent State

Living in a dorm provides opportunities to meet new people and transition well to college life. It’s a chance to form new relationships and learn to co-exist.

Tips for Choosing a Dorm

Apply Early: If you have a preferred dorm, apply as early as possible after being admitted, as dorm assignments are typically made on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Get Involved: Attend hall council meetings and participate in hall events to meet other students in your residence hall.
Connect with Your RA: Get to know your Resident Assistant (RA) for advice and answers to questions about your residence hall.
Meet Your Floormates: Introduce yourself to your floormates to build connections.

Potential Drawbacks

Some students have noted that bathrooms in certain halls are not cleaned as often as desired. However, hot water is generally readily available.

Rankings

Here is the ultimate ranking of freshman dorms at Kent State!:

Eastway
Tri Towers
Centennial Courts (A,B,C,D,E & F)
The Quad (Lake, Olson, Johnson, & Stopher)
NewFront (Dunbar, Prentice, Verder, & Engleman)

tags: #kent #state #university #dorms #review