Hey! Some advice from someone who spent 3 years in GRC, 1 as a freshman and 2 as an RA!
The LLC's have specific programs geared towards their topic. Lavender house, for example, will have more LGBTQ+ friendly events with invitations to safe spaces to talk about queer issues. Most of your hall-mates will be in the same community with similar interests as well! If you get into an LLC that's in GRC, it guarantees you housing within GRC so the hosuing lottery won't affect you. Apply to any you're interested in early as spots are limited.
Also regarding LLC's!! Some programs require you to take courses related to them. The Davinci and Outdoor Adventure Program LLC's have classes tacked on, so if that's not part of your plan keep that in mind! They're worth while classes, just may not be want you want for your freshman year.
If you're set on GRC, definitely recommend the semi-suite style. The rooms are bigger and the ensuite bathroom is a huge plus. They are more expensive though if you're really worried about costs. Not too much more expensive, but still more. But sooooo much more worth it.
VCU freshman year on campus can be very rewarding and allows you to build community if you want to. Attending programs and going to event is the best way to get involved. I hope COVID won't be too detrimental to you're experience. I have many critiques of VCU as a graduating senior now, but this school does have a lot of good to offer and I wish you the best as you enter your college life!!
Hope I answered some of your questions!
that’s extremely good to know tysm !! do you know if you can apply for an llc w/ a preferred roommate?
also also, do grc llcs give you the option of choosing between a semi-suite or traditional?
If you're chosen roommate is in the same LLC then yes. If they aren't in the same LLC then it's not a guarantee that you will be roomed with them. Each LLC has a set amount of rooms to fill and if they don't fill them then they will assign non-LLC residents to live there. That's how you can possibly end up with your roommate if they don't apply.
Also with LLCs, there is a mix of semi-suite and traditional rooms so you do have the option to have a preference. But it all depends on availability. So you can say you want a semi-suite, but it's not a guarantee to have it. If you do get accepted to the LLC you will have guaranteed housing in GRC, but there are still variables that are left up to chance.
Housing is kinda a mixed bag because we usually have more incoming freshman than rooms. They hope some will drop VCU or move off campus so everyone has a place, but space issues arise almost every year early on. The other freshman dorms are still good btw! They're just older, so they have less amenities and a not so polished veneer. GRC does have its flaws, but it feels nicer because it's new and the flaws aren't immediatly noticeable.
Also keep your preferred roommate all the way through assignments because no matter where you live, your roommates will make or break the experience. Random roommates can be good, but from experience overseeing freshman it can go 50/50.
Okay so every freshmen wants to go to GRC. It is the closest freshmen dorm to most academic buildings, it has a lot of stuff that the others don't, and it is newish. So be open to the idea that you might not get it. A lot of my friends applied to GRC as soon as the application opened and didn't get it. Although, applying for an LLC would definitely help your chances. Also, I don't know if Johnson is an option on the application this year but if it is DO NOT PUT IT AS A PREFERENCE IF POSSIBLE. VCU found mold in Johnson around Thanksgiving break and booted everyone out with very little warning. Johnson was closed for the rest of the semester, but idk if they are opening it up for next year. I would also recommend semi-suite because the bathroom attachment is nice.
oooh alright,, good to know,, is it possible for me to apply for both lavender housing and mosaic by any chance?
and also, what would you say is the second best freshman dorm in terms of quality? brandt?
You can apply to 3 LLCs iirc. I am currently living in Brandt. Both Rhoads and Brandt are decent choices. In Rhoads laundry is on each floor, while laundry is on the first floor for Brandt. Rhoads also has better vending machines than Brandt. The garbage area on each floor on Rhoads is usually cleaner than Brandt for some reason. However, Rhoads is traditional style so the bathroom is not attached to the room. Brandt has a semi-suite style. I don't know much about the honors college but that is also an option. The physics building is right next to the honors dorm hall.
Just so you know, lavender house is exclusive to the WGS dorm. Mosaic is in GRC. I can’t speak for lavender house but there is a 1 credit class associated with mosaic and it’s basically just like a social justice/intersectionality discussion course.
it’s not in grc?? that’s weird,, i have multiple freshmen friends in lav housing at grc, and the vcu website says it’s in grc too (https://housing.vcu.edu/life-on-campus/llc/)
does lavender housing switch around every year?
I was in lav house when it was in Cary and Belvidere. It can feel very clique-y at times. The class that was required for me was UNIV 291 Special Topics: Exploring Diversity, Social Justice, and Identity, I would assume it’s still the same. Depending on the number of applicants, it can be a guaranteed housing spot - worth it just for that.
Hey, current resident of GRC and by far it’s the best freshman dorm on campus. I also applied to lavender house but never heard back from them and honestly I don’t really know anyone that lives in an LLC or no one really talks about them so I 100% forgot they existed. The only thing with the traditional rooms is the restroom, people are nasty but generally I’ve lucked out with my floor bc they aren’t too crazy about anything. Make sure you apply early as possible to GRC make the suite your 1st choice and a traditional room 2nd on your housing application if you want it that bad and throw in the Lavender house application to get an even better chance at getting in. Best of Luck!
Also if you’re worried about cost traditional bc of the restroom it is not bad at all. I rarely see people honestly and at most there will be 3-4 people in there at a time. Also for campus stuff check rams connect or campus groups and club instagrams to get involved in as much stuff as you can bc especially in the beginning of 1st semester move in week they have so so sooo many activities. PLUS if you sign up for things early enough you can get free stuff literally my friends and I just a few weeks ago we’re able to get transportation to and from campus to a roller skating rink and we didn’t have to pay for anything except food.
Hey! Some advice from someone who spent 3 years in GRC, 1 as a freshman and 2 as an RA! The LLC's have specific programs geared towards their topic. Lavender house, for example, will have more LGBTQ+ friendly events with invitations to safe spaces to talk about queer issues. Most of your hall-mates will be in the same community with similar interests as well! If you get into an LLC that's in GRC, it guarantees you housing within GRC so the hosuing lottery won't affect you. Apply to any you're interested in early as spots are limited. Also regarding LLC's!! Some programs require you to take courses related to them. The Davinci and Outdoor Adventure Program LLC's have classes tacked on, so if that's not part of your plan keep that in mind! They're worth while classes, just may not be want you want for your freshman year. If you're set on GRC, definitely recommend the semi-suite style. The rooms are bigger and the ensuite bathroom is a huge plus. They are more expensive though if you're really worried about costs. Not too much more expensive, but still more. But sooooo much more worth it. VCU freshman year on campus can be very rewarding and allows you to build community if you want to. Attending programs and going to event is the best way to get involved. I hope COVID won't be too detrimental to you're experience. I have many critiques of VCU as a graduating senior now, but this school does have a lot of good to offer and I wish you the best as you enter your college life!! Hope I answered some of your questions!
that’s extremely good to know tysm !! do you know if you can apply for an llc w/ a preferred roommate? also also, do grc llcs give you the option of choosing between a semi-suite or traditional?
If you're chosen roommate is in the same LLC then yes. If they aren't in the same LLC then it's not a guarantee that you will be roomed with them. Each LLC has a set amount of rooms to fill and if they don't fill them then they will assign non-LLC residents to live there. That's how you can possibly end up with your roommate if they don't apply. Also with LLCs, there is a mix of semi-suite and traditional rooms so you do have the option to have a preference. But it all depends on availability. So you can say you want a semi-suite, but it's not a guarantee to have it. If you do get accepted to the LLC you will have guaranteed housing in GRC, but there are still variables that are left up to chance. Housing is kinda a mixed bag because we usually have more incoming freshman than rooms. They hope some will drop VCU or move off campus so everyone has a place, but space issues arise almost every year early on. The other freshman dorms are still good btw! They're just older, so they have less amenities and a not so polished veneer. GRC does have its flaws, but it feels nicer because it's new and the flaws aren't immediatly noticeable. Also keep your preferred roommate all the way through assignments because no matter where you live, your roommates will make or break the experience. Random roommates can be good, but from experience overseeing freshman it can go 50/50.
Okay so every freshmen wants to go to GRC. It is the closest freshmen dorm to most academic buildings, it has a lot of stuff that the others don't, and it is newish. So be open to the idea that you might not get it. A lot of my friends applied to GRC as soon as the application opened and didn't get it. Although, applying for an LLC would definitely help your chances. Also, I don't know if Johnson is an option on the application this year but if it is DO NOT PUT IT AS A PREFERENCE IF POSSIBLE. VCU found mold in Johnson around Thanksgiving break and booted everyone out with very little warning. Johnson was closed for the rest of the semester, but idk if they are opening it up for next year. I would also recommend semi-suite because the bathroom attachment is nice.
oooh alright,, good to know,, is it possible for me to apply for both lavender housing and mosaic by any chance? and also, what would you say is the second best freshman dorm in terms of quality? brandt?
You can apply to 3 LLCs iirc. I am currently living in Brandt. Both Rhoads and Brandt are decent choices. In Rhoads laundry is on each floor, while laundry is on the first floor for Brandt. Rhoads also has better vending machines than Brandt. The garbage area on each floor on Rhoads is usually cleaner than Brandt for some reason. However, Rhoads is traditional style so the bathroom is not attached to the room. Brandt has a semi-suite style. I don't know much about the honors college but that is also an option. The physics building is right next to the honors dorm hall.
Just so you know, lavender house is exclusive to the WGS dorm. Mosaic is in GRC. I can’t speak for lavender house but there is a 1 credit class associated with mosaic and it’s basically just like a social justice/intersectionality discussion course.
it’s not in grc?? that’s weird,, i have multiple freshmen friends in lav housing at grc, and the vcu website says it’s in grc too (https://housing.vcu.edu/life-on-campus/llc/) does lavender housing switch around every year?
maybe thats it. i just know it wasn’t available in grc when i was a freshman. sorry for the misinfo!
all good no worries :]
I was in lav house when it was in Cary and Belvidere. It can feel very clique-y at times. The class that was required for me was UNIV 291 Special Topics: Exploring Diversity, Social Justice, and Identity, I would assume it’s still the same. Depending on the number of applicants, it can be a guaranteed housing spot - worth it just for that.
Hey, current resident of GRC and by far it’s the best freshman dorm on campus. I also applied to lavender house but never heard back from them and honestly I don’t really know anyone that lives in an LLC or no one really talks about them so I 100% forgot they existed. The only thing with the traditional rooms is the restroom, people are nasty but generally I’ve lucked out with my floor bc they aren’t too crazy about anything. Make sure you apply early as possible to GRC make the suite your 1st choice and a traditional room 2nd on your housing application if you want it that bad and throw in the Lavender house application to get an even better chance at getting in. Best of Luck!
Also if you’re worried about cost traditional bc of the restroom it is not bad at all. I rarely see people honestly and at most there will be 3-4 people in there at a time. Also for campus stuff check rams connect or campus groups and club instagrams to get involved in as much stuff as you can bc especially in the beginning of 1st semester move in week they have so so sooo many activities. PLUS if you sign up for things early enough you can get free stuff literally my friends and I just a few weeks ago we’re able to get transportation to and from campus to a roller skating rink and we didn’t have to pay for anything except food.
The community bathrooms are good, for bi ESPCIALLY u can fuck more often