Don’t you worry, Barnard women; we didn’t forget about housing selection for you! Continuing the tradition for the second year in a row, we bring you the reviews for Barnard dorms! To begin, we bring you the biggest pimpin’ dorm of them all: Plimpton. We’ll post the rest of the dorms over the next few days before housing selection begins next week.

Location: 1235 Amsterdam Avenue (at corner of 120th Street right next door to Appletree)

• Nearby dorms: Wien and EC
• Stores and Restaurants: Appletree, Subsconscious, Hartley Pharmacy, Flat Top, Kitchenette, Che Bella Pizza, Max Cafe

Cost:

• Single: $10,400
• Double: $8,960

Amenities:

• Bathrooms: Each suite has its own bathroom. However, you have to clean it yourselves. Drains tend to clog quickly from hair. Toilet paper supplied for free by facilities.
• AC/Heating: All of Plimpton has AC, which is much appreciated those sweltering first weeks of fall semester. However, it gets turned off in late September and doesn’t turn back on in the Spring. Heat varies from room to room. Air can be turned on and off in each room.
• Kitchen/Lounge: Each suite has a kitchen with a sink, gas stove/oven, and refrigerator/freezer. Shared hallway space connecting the rooms with a table and chairs. Renovated suites have a high-top table with chairs. Large study lounge on the first floor.
• Laundry: 6 washers and driers. Beware of doing laundry on busy days (the weekend) as you will probably not find an open machine. Some of the driers don’t dry clothes in one cycle.
• Computers/Printers: There’s a computer lab with two big printers on the first floor. Usually reliable.
• Gym: No, but Dodge is relatively close.
• Intra-transportation: Two elevators that stop on all floors and stairs. However, anything that can’t use the stairs has to be brought in through the basement (this will mostly just be relevant for move-in and move-out.)
• Wi-Fi: Yes. Very good signal.
• Hardwood/Carpet: Linoleum.

Room Variety:

• 4 singles and 1 double in all six-person suites.
• Singles are 117 sq ft (one larger single in each suite is about 120 sq ft), and doubles are about 180 sq ft.

Numbers

• Mixed groups of rising-sophomores and rising-juniors can make a safe bet on getting into Plimpton.
• Most six-person groups on last year’s sophomore selection day were able to get Plimpton before the lottery ran out.
• Usually not many seniors choose Plimpton, so it will be a good combo of sophomores and juniors. However, this past year saw a good amount of all sophomore suites.

Bwog recommendations:

• Plimpton is by far the best option if you have a group in which most people want a single and suite-style living.
• The walk is definitely something to account for (about 7 minutes to Diana, 10 minutes to Butler) so make sure you’re willing to factor in extra time to “commute.” Also, the wind tunnel on 120th gets serious during the cold, long winter.
• Most sophomores will find Plimpton as a nice change from quad life.
• Amsterdam has a lot of options in regards to stores and restaurants, so you won’t feel isolated from Broadway life. However, it’s easy to become a hermit in the winter considering campus can seem like a worthless trek in the snow.

Resident opinions:

• “For the most part, facilities does a great job filling work orders quickly. The super, Eugene, is a wonderful guy that is willing to help with anything!”
• “Appletree > Morton Williams, any day of the week. However, it’s a bit pricer. Plan to do normal grocery shopping at cheaper stores, like Trader Joe’s.”
• “Great water pressure in the sinks and showers. Very important.”
• “The walls in Plimpton are PAPER THIN. You can clearly hear any conversation in the hallway in the bedrooms, so beware if you are living with a noisy crowd. Also, Plimpton is not conducive to parties for this very reason.”
• “A good size amount of sophomores lived in Plimpton this past year, so you will still be able to see most of your friends even though you are farther from campus.”
• “Having a kitchen changed my life. Goodbye Hewwy.”
• “The desk attendants in Plimpton are absolute saints. Make friends with them!”
• “It’s a 7 minute walk to the sundial. However, you can go through Mudd and take the elevator to the main level. Alternatively, take the escalator in NoCo.”
• “Walking from Plimpton to Columbia’s campus is an uphill climb. You will build excellent stamina by the end of the year.”
• “Subway stations are pretty far away. Can be annoying for someone who works downtown/uses the subway a lot.”
• “There is an RA on every other floor. Interpret as you will.”

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