While spring at Taft is often considered the highlight of the school year, filled with numerous hours playing spikeball on Jig Pat, this term also brings up the exciting yet troublesome topic of next year’s living situations. To help with this, we have compiled a foolproof guide of each dorm’s pros and cons so you’re guaranteed to make the best decision.
Starting with our lower school girls’ dorms, there are two options: Congdon or Mac House. Both dorms are conveniently located in the center of campus, and they seem incredibly similar, but in reality, they have stark differences. Congdon may be connected to the Health Center and adjacent to Wu, but Mac has the prime location for a last-minute run to the food stand. However, Mac is situated under numerous trees, preventing natural light from coming into some of its rooms, unlike Congdon. Also, Congdon’s common room is located on the dorm’s main floor, while Mac’s common room is in the infamous “Mac basement,” which has a reputation for flooding and a lingering, mysterious odor. Despite this, Mac is considered the more homey of the two, with students always in the common room. Finally, the two have very different flooring options. Will you pick Congdon’s carpeting or Mac’s hardwood flooring? You seriously can’t go wrong with either.
Next on our list: lower school boys. Which floor, HDT 2, 3, or 4, is the ideal living space for you? While the location of these dorms is similar, the stair climbing is a different story. If stairs aren’t your thing and you’re seeking a close-knit community, HDT2 is your future home. This small floor, situated closest to Main Hall, is prime for those wanting to hone in on their academics. However, if you are looking for chaos, then HDT3 is the call. Being the largest floor, you are sure to find your people. But be careful—this floor is said to have some ongoing bathroom issues. Finally, HDT4. Considered the Goldilocks of all floors (mainly by its residents), HDT4 is the perfect balance between productivity and fun. While you may be faced with a treacherous walk to your room, you will be in the center of the action as these boys are the life of the party. But don’t say we didn’t warn you about the trek… All things considered, which floor will you choose?
Moving on to the upper school girls, perhaps the most contentious of them all. There are three options: Centen, Voge, and USGD. These three dorms have a variety of rooming options and are located in vastly different areas of the school. Centen is the furthest away from the Main Building, but is the only dorm predominantly with doubles. So if you’re looking to have a roommate in upper school, Centen is the place to be, but beware of the bathroom sinks, which tend to spew out murky brown water from time to time. Next, USGD, popularly known as “the Rock.” By far the smallest girls’ dorm on campus, USGD features just under 20 singles and is only one floor. So if you’re not in search of a roommate or have a last-minute falling out, USGD is the place for you! Finally, Voge is the perfect in-between of these two dorms. Newly built and situated in Main Building, Voge’s connecting singles present the option of having a roommate or a single. A roommate may make your final two years at Taft more thrilling, but your own space will allow you to easily focus on schoolwork and dreaded college applications. Despite this, we should warn you that Voge does lack a kitchen, and you can sometimes find the occasional mouse roaming the halls. It’s up to you, but in the end, Centen, USGD, and Voge are all amazing dorms.
Last but not least, we arrive at the upper school boys. Presented with the choice of either ISP or CPT, Taft’s oldest boys have two very different options. Like HDT, CPT is faced with the same choices around its stairs and lifestyle. CPT2 is quiet and focused, but it has quick access to Bingham. CPT3 is on the rowdier side and is sometimes considered a chaotic madhouse, and CPT4, in the words of Noah Jettelson ‘25, is “perfect.” The main difference for these boys is the option of living in ISP. Only containing nine residents, this dorm is perfectly situated in front of the food stand and above the dining hall. Its size allows for a tight community, almost like its own family. ISP’s downside, however, is that you will be separated from the remainder of your classmates who live in CPT. But do not fret, for no matter the floor or dorm you pick, you will be sure to have a fun and community-oriented time in the upper school!
We hope you have gained some valuable insight on these dorm reputations, whether it be bathrooms, stairs, or mysterious odors. Now, you can make the choice that’s perfect for you, but know that wherever you choose to live, or rather, wherever the housing gods (Ms. Duffy) may place you, you won’t regret it (hopefully).