William & Mary Freshman Dorms: A Comprehensive Guide

For many students, college marks their first experience living away from home. Choosing where to live is a significant part of this transition. This guide provides information about William & Mary's (W&M) freshman dorm options to help you navigate the housing process and find the best fit for your needs.

An Introduction to Housing at W&M

The College of William & Mary, the second-oldest institution of higher learning in America, is a public research university with a rich history. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, W&M offers a variety of housing options designed to foster a sense of community and support students' academic and personal growth.

W&M is committed to modernizing and revitalizing its residential and dining facilities through a long-term, comprehensive plan. As a first-year student, you'll have the opportunity to join your classmates on campus during New Student Move-In.

Key Aspects of W&M Housing

Before diving into specific dorms, it's helpful to understand some key aspects of housing at W&M:

Residential Requirement: Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus.
Upperclassman Housing: Upperclassmen are guaranteed on-campus housing if they desire it, and most undergraduates choose to live on campus due to its convenience. Everything, including classes, dining halls, other dorms, and the gym, is within walking distance.
Co-ed Dorms: All dorms are co-ed, but genders are usually separated by floor in freshman dorms.
Room Types: W&M offers a variety of room types, including suites, apartments, singles, doubles, and triples. Doubles are the most common.
Room Amenities: For a typical double dorm room, you can expect two twin beds, two desks, two closets, and two dressers.
Air Conditioning: Freshman dorms usually do not have air conditioning, so bringing a fan is highly recommended. All upperclassmen dorms have AC.
Substance-Free Housing: Substance-free housing is available, but W&M is not a dry campus.
Language Houses: Language houses are available for students studying a language to continue practicing outside of class.

The Housing Selection Process

For Freshmen

The housing selection process for freshmen occurs during the summer before move-in. After receiving their Tribe Guide on May 1, first-year students can apply for housing online. The housing timeline, roommate selection process, and room choice options are all available on the housing portal.

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If you choose to go random for your roommate, you’ll fill out a questionnaire about your living habits and what you're looking for in a roommate. This allows Residence Life, the housing department at W&M, to provide you with the best possible match.

For Upperclassmen

Upperclassmen housing selection typically occurs before winter break and works through a lottery system. Seniors get first pick, then juniors, and finally sophomores. Student athletes receive priority housing registration and choose before the lottery system begins.

Dorm Highlights

Top Freshman Dorms

Most students agree that the two best freshman dorms are Lemon and Camm. Both have AC and are close to the center of campus, making it easy to get around. They are also two of the newer buildings.

Worth Considering

Pine: This complex consists of 4 dorms with tree names so students are calling the complex “the Forest”. It features single use bathrooms like Lemon and Hardy. Floors 1-2 are freshman, 3 is upperclassmen and 4 is Global Village.
Reves: This is a small dorm.

Top Upperclassmen Dorms

For upperclassmen, the best dorms are Hardy, Landrum, and the apartments in Tribe Square. These are all newer buildings with AC.

Dorms to Consider Carefully

The worst dorms are probably those in the Green & Gold Village. These buildings don’t have AC and tend to have more bug sightings due to their age. Dupont and Richmond are also less desirable. Dupont is far from the center of campus and often undergoing renovations. Richmond is off campus, a 20-minute walk to campus.

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Other Housing Options

Ludwell: This is an apartment complex just off campus, typically for seniors. The apartments are either doubles or triples and include bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, dining areas, and full bathrooms.
One Tribe Place and Richmond: These are old motels that W&M turned into dorms. They have large rooms and private bathrooms.
Block Housing: Groups of 8 to 10 people can live in neighboring rooms in pre-designated buildings. This can be helpful in getting into a better dorm if you don’t have priority registration.

The Resident Assistant (RA) Experience

Each hall has a Resident Assistant (RA) who provides guidance and helps create a comfortable living environment. RAs carry out initiatives, which are events where hallmates can get to know one another.

The Two-Year Live-On Requirement

First-year students can apply for housing online after receiving their Tribe Guide on May 1. Learn more about the housing timeline, roommate selection and how to choose a room. Plus, view popular housing topics like the two-year live-on requirement, housing accommodations and move-in details. William & Mary has initiated a long-term, comprehensive plan to modernize and revitalize its residential and dining facilities. Soon, you may follow in the footsteps of last year’s admitted students, who will join your classmates on campus during New Student Move-In.

Additional Resources

Many resources are available to assist in understanding the W&M housing options and process for first-year students. Distinct programs with unique living communities. Over 20 different chapters on campus. Option to live with others of any gender, expression or identity. Over 170 student staff opportunities.

The Convenience of On-Campus Living

Freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus, and upperclassmen at W&M are guaranteed on campus housing if they desire. Most undergraduates do end up living on campus because it makes life more convenient. Everything is within walking distance, like classes, dining halls, other dorms, and the gym. Some people do choose to live off campus. Sometimes it just ends up being cheaper, but that depends on where you chose to live.

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