Texas A&M Modular Dorm Tour - Hobby Hall - Guy's Room

[@HB-ys3tt]

This is an amazing video man very informative and has made my packing process easier

[@ColeM40]

@HB-ys3tt Happy to hear it!

[@tameikabrown]

Dang Cole UR Dorm Room Is Extremely Spacious Compared To Other College Dorm Room’s U Guy’s Staying In

[@susanoslund1667]

Thank you so much for your video and for responding to all of the comments. And for providing so much info on dimensions, links, etc. It's been very helpful. I also appreciate how neat and clean your dorm room was!! ;)

[@ColeM40]

Thanks for the appreciation, Susan! The Aggie community has done so much for me, this is the least I could do :)

[@PatrickRuddy-po9cq]

Man-you are cool-not any completed ideas for us-fantastic job on this video!!!!

[@ColeM40]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you found this helpful! Let me know if you have any questions :)

[@ajainarayan8889]

Man ... very informative and concise. Thanks man.

[@ColeM40]

Glad I could help! :)

[@ColeM40]

A bit more information is in the description of this video! (Update on bathmats, why N-side > S-side, furniture info, window info, and Wi-Fi info) Additionally, I highly recommend having your mom join an "Aggie Moms" group (or any kind of incoming Aggie group) on Facebook. This resource proved VERY useful for me and my family's journey coming into college! They'd provide information about NSC, Dorm-life, clubs to join, what to bring, where to avoid, study resources, and all kinds of other useful tips and tricks!

[@germb747]

I lived in Utay Hall (Dorm 12) from 1998-2002. This was before the quad was renovated, so this place was built in 1939. Very basic accommodations, especially for freshmen. You couldn't adjust the temperature--only turn the air on and off, and it would take three days to switch from cold to warm air and vice versa. Also, community showers (no curtains or anything). Times have changed. Gig 'em

[@avyayvedala6880]

Great video man. Really informative and helpful for me. Quick question: how much money do you think you and your roommate put into the room combined (not including housing fees)?

[@ColeM40]

Good question... if you're only accounting for "room" things (lights, curtains, furniture, etc), probably about $300-500 total (not including things like the chair, sheets, monitor, etc). This can vary a lot and depends what you're putting in there. It's hard to give a good estimate because it's been so long lol. One thing I will say is that nothing needs to be fancy, promise. The lamps I got were very cheap Target brand, same with bulbs and storage bins; rugs and curtains from Home Goods. Each of these things individually I would consider cheap. Yes, we bought many things before moving in, but it's relatively bare bones when getting here, so it makes sense.

[@brookejacobus]

this was super helpful! thank you so much for posting this!

[@ColeM40]

You're very welcome!

[@ibrahima7859]

7:05 you’re definitely an engineer since there is wd-40 in your clothes closet 🤣

[@umair7883]

Hi Cole. Thanks for the detailed video. Really excited to join TAMU starting Fall 22. I was wondering if there are single seater on campus accomodations available for international graduate students?

[@ColeM40]

Glad you enjoyed the video! Unfortunately, your question is beyond the scope of my knowledge. I assume by single seater you mean a dorm with for only 1 person. The answer to your question is yes, but there aren't many of them. I'd reach out to either the ISS or Housing departments at TAMU if you need more details. Wish I could help you more, hope this helps!

[@michelleturnipseedfitstyli8088]

Great video. Super helpful

[@ColeM40]

Glad it was helpful!

[@roli50]

Great video 👍

[@Tasty-Dishes]

Hello there, very nice and neat room! My son will be attending a dorm this fall. My question is, how do you distribute the chores of cleaning the room and the bathroom between you and your roommate! Is that what you do on the first day to set up the rules and duties of each one !I am so worried what if the other person is careless !

[@ColeM40]

It's best to set up expectations for who will do what at the very beginning of the year. Try to stick to that, and if your son finds he or his roommate is slipping up on his end of the deal, just have a conversation about it. It might be uncomfortable, but it is necessary to avoid any further complications. They'll quickly find out who is better at what. Hope this helps a bit :)

[@Tasty-Dishes]

@@ColeM40 Thank you so much I really appreciate your answer. . Good luck with your study. Have a great day !

[@brianbarbe9646]

Well organized. I see this is a year old. Did you come back to same place for Fall '23?

[@ColeM40]

Thank you! I did not go back, I decided to move off campus for the rest of college. My primary reason for doing so was to have my own kitchen/living, more space, and more privacy. I got the freshman year dorm experience, but one year was enough for me - lol!

[@miafielder7338]

Hi Cole! Where did you buy the wooden monitor stand? I cant find it on amazon. Would love to get one for my incoming engr freshman, macbook sits perfectly under it.

[@ColeM40]

Funny thing about that is, I actually built it, so all I can say is I got the wood from Lowe's. I couldn't find one on Amazon, they weren't tall enough to slide my laptop under. Great quick project for your husband and/or son! 😜

[@minikolache]

Great detailed video! How many power surges do you recommend? I see in your dorm electronics, lamps, etc on both sides of the room.

[@ColeM40]

I would recommend getting at least 2 power strips with 5+ plugs on them. I believe mine had 10 and 6 or something like that, and it was enough. Hope this answers your question.

[@bcpepper24]

Any advice for meeting your roommate/avoiding any awkwardness?

[@ColeM40]

I met my roommate via the AggieFriends Instagram account, so I'm not sure how applicable this will be for you, but here's what I did: I set up a video chat and we talked on the phone for a couple of hours when we first met just about all kinds of things. Anything and everything we had in common; for us, this included church, technical interests, etc. Because we had that initial conversation and already knew a little about each other, this first "phase of awkwardness" in the dorm was avoided because we had something to talk about - updates on what we talked about a few months prior. I understand that for many people doing something like that can be a bit daunting, but understand that stakes are not high and you don't need to talk for long, just make a shortlist of things you can discuss or ask your roommate and follow that for a little while. Hope this helps, and good luck!

[@SivramSeth]

Hi, thank you so much for the video, it really helping us prepare for my Daughter's dorm setup in coming Fall'24. I have a quick que : is there any significance to the initial next to room number that assigned - like A or B - Ex: Room 209 A , what is A significance ? - does refer to bed position ?

[@ColeM40]

@SivramSeth The letters are just there to help A&M make sure there are 2 people to a room (or 4 in some cases), and has nothing to do with the bed position - that's determined in move in day by y'all! Glad the video helped!! :)

[@BellaRN75]

I was looking into the Engineering Village at the Commons for my son. What were your deciding factors for choosing Hobby Hall vs. The Commons?

[@ColeM40]

My main reasoning was the fact that I'd have 3 roommates sharing the bathroom in the commons, whereas only 1 in modular dorms. Lots of facebook groups revealed the study groups in the commons are hit or miss. Northside is closer to Northgate businesses and St. Mary's, of which I visit often. Those were probably my main reasons, hope this helped!

[@prachimore8838]

Hi Cole, I will be starting in Fall 2023 and am interested in staying in on-campus housing. I have some questions about the payment process and was wondering if you could provide some insight. I was curious about the cost of Hobby Hall, including whether dining is included in the rates. Would you mind sharing how much you paid per month or per semester when you stayed there? Thanks in advance for your help! !

[@ColeM40]

Of course! Modular-style dorms will be $4049 per semester ($8098 total) next Academic year (up from around $3708 per semester when I stayed). I found the price list per dorm at reslife.tamu.edu/gettingstarted/rates/ and other general information about each dorm at reslife.tamu.edu/options/. The dining plan is NOT included in this cost, and that will be an additional charge (anywhere from $300 to over $2000) depending on which meal plan you choose; (I opted for the 100/300 block plan and that was sufficient for me, costing about $1400). All on-campus living costs (dorms, meal plans, etc) will be charged to the same place in the HOWDY portal you pay for tuition, making it very easy to see and pay. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!

[@HelendoesRoblox]

I'm no where near college.. But do they include a kitchen?? Or a dining hall? Or do you just eat out alot - pls answer lol

[@ColeM40]

There is a community kitchen on the bottom floor of most dorms at A&M, including Hobby Hall. The Northside dining hall, Sbisa, is right next to Hobby. There is also a dining hall on Southside & on The Quad. It is not included in tuition, and plans range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on how much you get. Freshman year, I didn't eat out too much. I either did the dining hall or ate at the resaturants on campus (which took dining dollars). A&M has plenty of resources on dining, dining plans, etc, so I recommend googling that.

[@rileygregg5693]

Hello! Your video was super helpful! I was wondering if you knew the available height under the sink for storage and the link for your storage that went under the bed?

[@ColeM40]

Hi, thanks for your feedback! I believe the height under the sink counter is about 24", but you couldn't fit something 24" underneath because of the overhang, so it'd need to be a bit smaller. I explained that when talking about the storage I had under there around 2:48. As for the storage under my bed, I do not have a link, as that was just a random set of drawers we picked up at Target. If you're going for something of that height, I'd look up A&M's dimensions for the dresser since that is comparable in height.

[@luisvaldez9846]

Awesome vid!

[@ColeM40]

Thanks Luis!

[@emma.fleming]

Great video! By any chance do you have the link to the plastic drawers that’s were under your sink? You mentioned taking the top drawer off, but the only ones I could find seem to be one piece units.

[@ColeM40]

Sure thing! These are gray, but the same type. www.target.com/p/4-drawer-medium-weave-tower-gray-room-essentials-8482/-/A-83744331

[@emma.fleming]

@@ColeM40 Thanks so much!

[@jessicabirge2240]

Thank you for this video. My son is incoming freshman Fall 22. He has Hobby on his list. What exactly do you mean the odd side, longer? The actual rooms on the odd side have more space? Thanks for your help!

[@ColeM40]

Yes, exactly. There is noticeably more space in the longer dorms, 3 feet to be exact. In Hobby, the odd numbered rooms (ex: 113, 207, etc) have more space than the even numbered ones. It is opposite in some other dorms. The way you figure out which side is by going to the dorm's webpage on reslife.tamu.edu and clicking under the "building specs" tab. There it will have room dimensions and another item for odd/even rooms. Hope this helps!

[@jakenolte5670]

Thanks for all the great tips Cole. I've been struggling on finding a good place to hold my monitor. Do you still have the link on where you bought the wooden monitor stand?

[@ColeM40]

Hi Jake, glad you found the video helpful! I actually built the monitor stand myself since I couldn't find one online that fit my expectations. If your monitor isn't an ultrawide like mine is, your laptop should be fine off to the side. If it is an ultrawide, you may either have to build one like I did, or make a compromise elsewhere. Sorry about that!

[@jakenolte5670]

@@ColeM40 What are the dimensions of your stand, if you dont mind asking?

[@ColeM40]

@@jakenolte5670 24" long, 11⅜" deep, and 12¼" tall.

[@annaashley5511]

I can’t figure out where it shows which rooms are longer in the modular dorms. Looking at ones on the Southside. Can you help? Thanks!

[@ColeM40]

reslife.tamu.edu/options/ On the above webpage, pick the dorm you're interested in, then scroll down and click on the "dimensions" tab. Where it says "Room Dimensions:," it will have a distinction between even/odd rooms. I've verified this as of today (4/24/23) for Hobby and Neely, the others should be the same.

[@GSDadd]

What size & brand is that curved monitor? Nice desk setup. And how do you request a specific room if you get into Hobby? For example the odd numbered rooms.

[@ColeM40]

It's a Westinghouse 34" ultrawide (1440p 100hz). I bought it a few years ago since it was pretty much the cheapest option for what it is, but I believe there are other better monitors for around the same price now. For requesting a certain room, you'll do that once room selection is open. If you go into the TAMU housing portal, they should have videos walking you through each step and showing you specifically which buttons to press to get a room. If you can't find them, simply Google "TAMU Housing Application videos" and you'll find various phases (steps) and how-tos for them.

[@ColeM40]

Furthermore, "getting into hobby" just means you were able to get a room in Hobby. There is no getting into a dorm and not having a room selected yet, you either have a room in Hobby or you don't. The dorm and room selection is done at the same time. Hope this helps!

[@avagostomski]

hi! i just got my assignment and im in hobby’s odd number room, could we have room to have both beds on the same side (as yours are), but facing perpendicular to the wall? would that block the entry area if we had one of the beds pushed in that corner to the wall and entry area wall? i feel like it’s possible looking at the dimensions, but if you remember from your time spent here if there would be enough space for that, input would be amazing!

[@ColeM40]

Howdy! I had a friend do that (on the even/shorter side since it wasn't quite long enough). It did block some of the entryway, but not too much that they couldn't walk by, probably about 1/3 of it if I had to guess. If that's a compromise you're willing to make, go for it, but personally it'd annoy me too much - lol. Can't hurt to try it! Beds aren't too heavy if there's nothing in the room yet, so I'd try it out before you get all your stuff in there.

[@aramideosague5664]

Great video! Where did you get bedside shelve unit and other floor light from? Also wall stick on light in wardrobe? (Share link if possible). Pls advise what floor is best to pick? Are there elevators?

[@ColeM40]

Both the bedside shelf and other floor lamp were from Target. The stick on lights were from Amazon, something like this: www.amazon.com/dp/B07SD3T8M1/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_2P3P4H1HMHKZ5ZP715AW I'm on the 2nd floor, which I believe is best because there is not as much traffic as on the first floor, but is still very convenient. There are no elevators in any of the modular style dorms. Glad you found it helpful!

[@aidencollier6314]

Howdy! My first choice is hobby hall and I’m wondering how fast the internet is and if there is an Ethernet option. Thank you. Great Video by the way.

[@ColeM40]

Wi-Fi speeds top out at 100 Mbps, and Ethernet tops out at 1 Gbps (from what I've heard, I haven't personally used the Ethernet). The Ethernet jack is in the corner right next to the AC control (can be seen at 4:35). My room has a router, but not each one does, so Wi-Fi speeds may be a bit slower depending on the room you select. Hope this helps, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@aidencollier6314]

@@ColeM40 Thanks so much!

[@hikari105]

Hi Cole, I'm visiting TAMU for 10 weeks during this summer for an REU and will be living in Haas Hall, which is very close to Hobby Hall, where you stayed in. Are pillows and pillow covers included in the linen service? Do they have blankets or throws available for those who want it? As I am traveling to campus by air I have limited space and so I don't want to bring pillows/blankets which take up space. Also, do they provide toilet paper in the bathroom?

[@ColeM40]

I can't speak to special accommodations they make for research programs over the summer. What I do know is that for regular students living in the dorms during the Fall/Spring semesters, none of what you mentioned is provided. All you get is the mattress (no pillows, sheets, covers, blankets). There is also no toilet paper provided. Sorry I don't have more information about your specific situation.

[@colinscharfenstine]

hey Cole I'm looking at applying this summer for the fall of 23 as an engineer would you have preferred living off-campus or in your dorm

[@ColeM40]

From a non-engineering perspective, living on campus was amazing for easy access to buildings, dining halls, and all the various events that go on every day. You meet so many more people and get to be involved in so many more spontaneous activities that I believe it pays off. From an engineering perspective, being that close to your classes, study areas, and tutoring areas (inside Hullabaloo, Zachry, Evans, etc) was great. Is there anything currently holding you back from living on campus? The only real reasons I'm moving off campus this year is because I want my own bedroom and a kitchen. Otherwise I'd be on campus again.

[@WonkaStyle87]

Are all the hobby rooms set up like this with both beds on one wall? My son will be in hobby in the fall in an even room.

[@ColeM40]

They can be arranged however you'd like, but I find the best is how it's seen here. When you walk into the dorm, they'll likely be elevated higher and on either wall opposite of each other, which is how many people leave them. Make sure to bring a mallet I case you have difficulties changing the level it's at!

[@joshuahillman1562]

Are you from the city? How was the transition into rural College Station?

[@ColeM40]

That's an interesting question, here's what I can say about that: I've grown up in the suburbs all my life, never in a true city, but close enough. I would definitely not call College Station rural, it's more "city" than the suburb I lived in. Many of my friends, as well as extended family, did grow up in the country, and moving to CStat was a much bigger change for them than it was for someone who had previously lived in a big city center. College Station is basically a giant suburb with TAMU acting as the "downtown" in my experience (obviously just on a smaller scale), so that might be a good way to think about it. Does this answer your question?

[@ColeM40]

Also hi Joshua... and hi Mark

[@seonkim3530]

Hey where did you get the storage over the toilet, I bought one but it doesn’t fit well

[@ColeM40]

I'm 99% sure it was Brightroom brand from Target.

[@braydenelliott6372]

Do you happen to know the measurements of the first closet above and below the middle shelf? The clearance?

[@ColeM40]

I'm sorry, I don't. I do remember seeing some measurements like that on a Facebook post, so maybe try looking on an Aggie Mom's page?

[@jacquelinecaspari1914]

Thanks, Cole! Your video's super helpful. One question: does each room come with a dry-erase board on or near the door?

[@ColeM40]

If you're talking about the whiteboard outside the room (with the room #), then yes! None are provided inside the dorm.

[@jacquelinecaspari1914]

@@ColeM40 Yes, that's what I'm talking about. Thanks!

[@brianweltens3419]

Will they come in a clean the bathroom counter and shower even if you have your things sitting there or do you have to clear out the shower/clear the counter in order for them to clean? thanks!

[@ColeM40]

They (at least my floor's cleaner) don't clean the counters, so you won't have to worry about that one. When they do the shower and toilet, they just spray some stuff in there and run the water. We didn't have too much in the shower, but it never seemed go be a problem.

[@rajeannesmith9654]

How did you get the stick up lights in the closet to stick without damaging the walls?

[@ColeM40]

The lights came with a foam-like adhesive on the back, and it came off fine (but only after a lot of effort). I didn't stick any on any walls anywhere, only the wood in the closets. I wouldn't recommend putting these directly on walls, as the quality of the walls in these old modular dorms is terrible and it will rip the outer layer right off. I actually just left two of the stick-on lights there for whoever happens to get that room next!

[@larisarechtiene5546]

Hi Cole! Thanks for the video. My son will be in Hobby in the Fall. Where did you get the light that shines down on your desk to see what you are working on? Thanks!

[@ColeM40]

Thanks for your support! I got it on Amazon, and I really love it - very intuitive, has a large brightness range, and wasn't too expensive. I don't have the link right now, but I'll come back later today and edit this reply when I do!

[@ColeM40]

Here's that link! www.amazon.com/dp/B08SC71QR1/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_299KTD7RHMDBZJ4ZHA35

[@larisarechtiene5546]

@@ColeM40 Thank you so much!! Just bought it.

[@emma.fleming]

Hi! Do you happen to know if the hall side with 3 feet less of space would have enough room for both beds to be on the same side of the dorm? Also, how wide is the metal shelf on bathroom mirror? Thanks!

[@ColeM40]

I believe it's doable, though I haven't seen any set up like that on the shorter side. The space in between our beds in the video is just under 2 feet, so it'd be tight. You'd likely either have difficult access to the closets (if on the side seen here) or difficult access to the window and AC control (if on opposite side). You will have to move furniture around (regardless of how you want it set up) when you arrive, so it can't hurt to try! For the mirror shelf, I don't have an exact measurement, but the clock that's on it (pushed against the mirror) is 3" deep, so I'd guess around 5" total. I'm not in the dorms this summer, so I can't be super precise anymore, sorry!

[@emma.fleming]

@@ColeM40 Thank you, that is super helpful!

[@arrindesai7283]

where did you buy the shower head extention

[@ColeM40]

I don't remember, I'm sorry. It's 95% likely to be Amazon.

[@071477mote]

We love your video- it has really been helpful- Do you happen to know the length of your shower extender that fit? Apparently they come in 8”, 10”, 12”, 15”…etc. I’m worried if we buy the extra long it won’t fit as the ceiling looks lower that that. Thank you.

[@ColeM40]

@@071477mote Apologies for never responding! I only get alerted for new comments and mentions, not general replies. I'm assuming you no longer need this information, but I believe mine was either 10" or 12."

[@Doginthe325]

Almost a year after asking a question and getting an awesome response from you our son was accepted into A&M last week! He is excited and really wants to live near Mays, so north campus seems ideal. A question he has, are the northside modular dorms like Hobby, Neely, etc gender by room or floor? Did you have girls as your next door neighbors? Thanks!

[@ColeM40]

So glad to hear that he got in - very exciting!! Most A&M modular dorms are now only separated by gender in a given room. (I lived across the hall from girls). According to reslife.tamu.edu/options/ the only separated gender by floor dorms are Wells, Moses, and Harrington. Hope this helps!

[@charliemclaughlin3743]

Is there room on the back of the desk for a clamp on monitor stand?

[@ColeM40]

I wish there was, but sadly no, a clamp monitor arm will not work on the back of the desks.

[@garrettmooney2685]

Where did you get your wooden stand that your monitor is on?

[@ColeM40]

I actually built it myself since none I found online met my expectations lol. It's 24" long, 11⅜" deep, and 12¼ tall using standard project wood from Lowe's, nothing fancy.

[@liljoe35]

Hey! great video, just curious is there a place to do laundry or do you have to go to a laundromat?

[@ColeM40]

There is! Each dorm has it's own laundry room on the first floor, usually 5 or 6 washers and dryers in the modulars. (Rumor has it Hobby just got their machines upgraded)

[@shannonkaiser9548]

@@ColeM40Thx for this video! Do students pay each time they wash or dry a load of laundry? If so, do the machines take dollars, change, or credit cards?

[@ColeM40]

@@shannonkaiser9548 All laundry in their dorm is included with the housing cost, so no coins/cash or any other extra payment required!

[@louistsai4231]

Hello, I'm a incoming aggie starting Fall 22 and I was wondering what kind of chair do you have ?

[@ColeM40]

I have a Haworth Zody task chair. It retails new for anywhere from $600-1600, but we got it in like-new condition from a used office furniture warehouse in Houston for about $250. I highly recommend looking for lightly used office furniture at local warehouses, this stuff is way too expensive to buy new from the manufacturer. Another brand that I like (and almost got) is Steelcase.

[@louistsai4231]

@@ColeM40 Thank you so much. #Gig'em

[@katherinesoler7023]

Thank

[@Doginthe325]

Besides modular vs commons what are main differences between living in north vs south campus? Also, if you live on campus do you park in the parking garages and walk over to your dorm? One more question, does Hobby and the other modular dorms have good "community activities" to get to know other people in the dorm? We have a junior who is starting to look at college options for the fall of '24. Thank you!!!!

[@ColeM40]

Differences between north and south campus for me: closer to engineering buildings (marginally); closer to northgate businesses (Domino's, the Chicken, St. Mary's and other notable churches, McDonald's, CVS, Subway, Insomnia, Taco Bell, Chipotle, iHop, etc); I've been told many times that Sbisa>Commons, etc On Northside, parking is either in North Side Garage (I did and recommend) or lot 30 (could be closer depending on specific dorm you choose) (NSG was right next to Hobby/Neely) Modular dorms definitely don't have as many events as the commons do, but there are still some every now and then. You'll have one or two at the beginning and then maybe once every few weeks or month afterwards. If that's something you're specifically looking for then commons is the way to go, but many times those aren't as important once you're in clubs and have found a friend group, etc. If he's a junior, he especially won't gain much from those since most students living on campus are underclassman (majority freshmen). Hopefully that's not too discouraging, I just want to let you know what I saw. If you have other questions or want me to go into more detail on something specific, please let me know!

[@Doginthe325]

@@ColeM40 Thank you for the awesome reply filled with information. Our son is currently a junior in high school so we are looking at all the different college options/differences. From your video alone he seems to like the living situation on campus at A&M compared to a couple of other schools he is interested in. We plan to make our first trip to College Station in late October to check out the campus and game day atmosphere vs Ole Miss. Again thank you and hope you have a great year!

[@emilybaird6457]

Do you think there’s enough outlets in the hall?

[@ColeM40]

There are enough, but definitely not an ample amount. I would recommend bringing at least 2 surge protector splitters w/ 5+ outlets on it. I believe I had one with 6 and one with 10 for my half of the room and it was plenty.

[@djrubixcube05jordan31]

Are any of your friends communications majors, and do they like it?

[@ColeM40]

I don't know any comm majors, sorry.

[@djrubixcube05jordan31]

@@ColeM40 no it’s fine, thank you!

[@reggiemccray7003]

W room

[@annamiller1457]

how many of your freshman engineering classes were at zachary? i’m trying to factor in the walking time there to what dorm i pick but idk how necessary that actually is.

[@ColeM40]

Just 2: ENGR 102 in the first semester and PHYS 216 in the second. Though more are possible, I doubt you'll have more than this (I'm in ENGR 262, which is a 1-hr class in Zachry). I wouldn't make the trek to Zachry your main consideration by any means, but it is nice being slightly closer on Northside because it's more convenient to go there to study or meet with your lab groups.

[@annamiller1457]

@@ColeM40 ok cool thanks!! i’m trying to decide between the commons or a north side modular, neely or hobby probably.

[@chloenguyen2676]

When did you apply for housing or your roommate depending on who was groupleader? Trying to see when I needed to apply for housing to get a modular

[@ColeM40]

I'm not sure what you mean by group leader, but I completed the first couple of steps in the housing portal within a couple weeks of my acceptance. Choosing a dorm is on a first-come basis, based on when you were accepted to A&M. If you haven't done anything in relation to housing, please go to myHousing.tamu.edu ASAP to see your status. My time to choose a dorm (Phase IV) was May 10th last year, so be sure to keep on eye on your email. Phase IV has options for both with and without roommates, hope this helped!

[@chloenguyen2676]

@@ColeM40 I meant when did you apply for Housing because it was a first come first served basis so I wanted to compare when you applied to housing versus when I did to gauge on whether or not I'd be able to get a modular dorm this year.

[@ColeM40]

​@@chloenguyen2676 Gotcha. I applied for housing on October 6th, and paid the fee the same day (I think that's the determinant).

[@ericliu5952]

Do you have the link for the bathroom rack?

[@ColeM40]

Sure do! www.target.com/p/square-tube-over-the-toilet-etagere-threshold-153/-/A-53165135?preselect=53049074#lnk=sametab This is not necessarily a recommendation. It was fine, but nothing special.

[@SpaceStrike]

What is it like having a roommate? Do students HAVE to get a dorm with a roommate, or can they live somewhere else?

[@ColeM40]

All depends on the roommate you get and how you pick your battles. Me and my roommate got along fine, we just annoyed each other, but that's all a matter of your attitude and how you choose to respond to living with another person. I'll be living with him again next year off campus. You don't have to get a dorm, in fact they only have enough dorms to house around ⅕ of the student population is what I was told. There are plenty of apartments all around campus, near and far.

[@SpaceStrike]

@@ColeM40 Thank you my friend

[@SpaceStrike]

Was A&M expensive? Did you get any scholarships?

[@ColeM40]

Tuition rates are available on the A&M website. It's more expensive than some and cheaper than some. It was a great bang for your buck in my eyes.

[@eeshapopat4067]

Quick question for getting into a and m can u explain the pros and cons of test optional please? I’m a junior in high school right now and i heard a and m will be test optional this season?

[@ColeM40]

I'm not quite qualified to answer that question, but what I can say is a general rule of thumb is to send your score if it's considered above average for the school you're applying to. I haven't done my research in about 2 years, so I don't really remember what that number is for TAMU, but my bet is that if you're looking at dorm videos as a junior, you're probably the type to have a pretty high score ;)

[@eeshapopat4067]

@@ColeM40 i dont 😂😂 Im just looking

[@ColeM40]

@@eeshapopat4067 Well, regardless: good luck! Do some research from some college counselors online, they tend to be able to answers those questions better than I can.

[@hc-04]

Howdy! Thanks for the video, helps a lot! A few questions regarding TVs and layout. First, do many people have TVs in their dorms? Do you recommend bringing one? If so, what size would fit? Secondly, what do you recommend in terms of putting the desk under the bed? Do you think that would save space? Thirdly, assume we do bring a TV. What would you recommend for layout? Desk under bed, beds next to each other or opposite each other, etc?

[@ColeM40]

Thanks for your questions, here's what I'd say: Most people do not have TVs in their room, and if they do, they're usually on the 24-32" inch range, I wouldn't recommend anything bigger than that because you're so limited on space and can't hang anything that heavy on walls. A slightly bigger TV may work if you put it on top of elevated furniture, but even then it'd look a bit funny in such a small room. My solution was just to have a big monitor that I use for everything. The monitor you see is a 34" ultrawide. For modular, I'd recommend putting at least one desk under the bed if you end up on the shorter side as it may be necessary. It would definitely save space, but then you basically sleep on a top bunk, which is annoying personally, so take that for what you will. On the longer sides, people do elevate beds, but it's not as necessary. Again, it will save space if you want to bring a futon or something. If you choose to bring a TV, I might recommend elevating a bed and putting the desk underneath, then stacking a bookshelf or two on top of a dresser and putting the TV on top of there. If you had the desk, bed, and TV all at ground level for both roommates, it'd take quite a bit of space I'd imagine. You could elevate the TV only, but then you'd be looking up anytime you watch it. Most of this is hypothetical as I didn't have a TV or put my desk under the bed, so take it with a grain of salt, but I hope this helps! Let me know if you need any more clarification.

[@hc-04]

@@ColeM40 ​ ​ ​Thanks for your response. A few follow ups: My roommate owns an old TV that's the size you described, so we wouldn't be buying one. Maybe just a Roku stick or something like that, but we wouldn't buy the actual TV. We also have a short-side dorm, unfortunately. Would you say it's worth it to squeeze into the dorm with the TV and maybe be a bit more cramped, or just go without a TV and have a little more space? Also, we already have a mini-fridge and microwave, so we're bringing our own of those, instead of renting. Where are the outlets in the dorms to plug in the mini-fridge/microwave, TV, and other electronics?

[@ColeM40]

@@hc-04 If you think you'll be watching a decent amount of TV, then I say bring it. It's harder to fit it all, but you'll be able to make it work so I'd say no harm no foul. About the outlets, I'm sorry but I just don't remember it well enough to say where they are. There are atleast 2 sets on each lomg wall pretty evenly spaced, one in the bathroom area, and none on the far window wall. Other than that, I don't know for sure, there may be more.

[@lonestarnot2774]

2023-06-23, you can get a large 4K TV with WiFi for less than $200 ... which could serve as both computer monitor and An arm on a floor-to-ceiling pole would hold it above the desk, using no desk space. Get VESA compatibility for the most/cheapest options.

[@breannahernandez3424]

hi! how deep are the clothing drawers?

[@ColeM40]

Unfortunately I don't know the answer to that question. One way to get a GOOD estimate would be to look at the chest of drawers' dimensions on the TAMU housing website. That should get you pretty close. Hope this helps!

[@brookejohnson597]

What are some other good dorms to consider if Hobby is full?

[@ColeM40]

Oh geez... it's been so long since I did this research that I don't remember the others, but I've heard lots of good things about Haas, Lechner, and McFadden. Neely (right across from Hobby) should be nice too.

[@brookejohnson597]

Thanks!

[@braydenelliott6372]

What size of rug is the one shown?

[@ColeM40]

The one by my bed is a 4' x 6', bathroom is 30" x 46", and door is 20" x 34" - they all fit perfectly in my opinion.

[@nastydre4433]

Do you think hobby is the best hall in your opinion

[@ColeM40]

Personally: In my opinion, yes. Wouldn't trade it for any other dorm on campus. Professionally: I've only had experience in this dorm, so I can't compare to any others. Based on what I've heard, though, Hobby is pretty great.

[@youssefhaiba5515]

Do you think I can get a dorm scholarship? How? "I am a new student for this year "

[@ColeM40]

Hi Youseef. Generally, A&M does not give out housing scholarships unless you have serious financial need. That said, if you believe you qualify, I'd just hit Google and start researching, as there is no one place I could advise you on, I paid full price for my dorm 😜 sorry I didn't have better news for ya.

[@Rashidbat]

hi Youssef. can you update us if that worked for you?

[@janasibley7480]

What are the dimensions of the bed and the desk?

[@ColeM40]

The dorm websites have this information under the "Building Specs" drop-down. Here's the link to the one for my dorm: reslife.tamu.edu/options/halls/hobby/

[@janasibley7480]

@@ColeM40 Thank you, I obviously skipped over that part when looking...sorry

[@janasibley7480]

Are you assigned which side of the room you get or is that just determined between roommates?

[@ColeM40]

@@janasibley7480 No problem, I missed plenty of things too! Regarding the "side" of the room, it's 100% up to y'all. I moved in just before my roommate, so I asked him if it was cool for me to have the side closer to the window for my desk because of how much I love natural light. Hope this helps!

[@janasibley7480]

@@ColeM40 my son will be picking his dorm next month sometime. Was Hobby one of your top choices, and did you go in picking your dorm already grouped with a roommate, he is in that phase of picking a roommate and just curious if it's important to pick one ahead of time or if the "random" one works out for some?

[@taylorholden1162]

Does it have a community kitchen?

[@ColeM40]

Yes it does! It was just added right after I left.

[@willhoard6198]

Bro is your roommate zach?

[@ColeM40]

Haha, sure is!

[@StephanieJakoby]

Do you know the height of the ceiling between the bathroom and the bedroom area.? We want to hang curtains there.

[@ColeM40]

Unfortunately, I don't know the exact length, but guessing based off other measurements I do know, I'd guess it's about ~82" give or take. Hope this helps!

[@StephanieJakoby]

@@ColeM40 Thanks!