It’s the first thing you notice when you walk toward South Halls. That massive, brick-and-limestone facade with the clock tower that looks like it belongs in a movie about Ivy League schools. Penn State Simmons Hall isn't just another dorm. Honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing places to live on the University Park campus. Some students swear by it because of the location, while others complain about the lack of central air in certain wings. You’ve probably heard it’s "the quiet honors dorm," but that’s only half the story.
Living here is a specific vibe. You're tucked away in the southern edge of campus, right next to downtown State College. If you’ve ever wanted to roll out of bed at 7:50 AM and make it to a class in the Willard Building by 8:00 AM, this is the place. But there's a lot of nuance to the Simmons experience that doesn't show up on the official housing website.
The Reality of the "South Halls" Reputation
Most people lump Simmons in with McElwain, its neighbor. They’re basically twins. Built in the late 1940s and early 50s, these buildings were meant to handle the post-war boom of students. Because of that history, the rooms are—let’s be real—huge compared to the shoeboxes you’ll find in East Halls or Pollock.
You get high ceilings. You get actual floor space. Sometimes you even get a walk-in closet if you’re lucky with the room draw.
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But here’s the kicker: Simmons is primarily home to the Schreyer Honors College and several Living Learning Communities (LLCs). This changes the atmosphere. It’s not a 24/7 rager. It’s a place where people actually study in the lounges. If you want the traditional "freshman chaos," you won’t find it here. What you will find is a community of people who are generally stressed about their honors thesis or their next organic chemistry exam.
Why the Location is Actually a Cheat Code
You’re basically living on the border of two worlds. Walk north, and you’re at the HUB-Robeson Center in five minutes. Walk south, and you’re on College Avenue.
- Target and H&M are basically your pantry and closet.
- Chipotle and Panera are closer than some of the dining halls.
- The White Building (one of the main gyms) is a stone's throw away.
It’s convenient. Really convenient. But that convenience comes with the noise of downtown. On a Friday night, you’re going to hear the crowds on the street. You’re going to hear the buses. If you’re a light sleeper, get a white noise machine. Seriously.
Renovations, Cooling, and the Summer Struggle
Let’s talk about the heat.
Penn State has been slowly updating South Halls for years. Parts of Simmons have been renovated to include supplemental cooling, but it is not "central air" in the way modern apartment complexes have it. During those first two weeks of September when Central PA is inexplicably 90 degrees with 80% humidity? It’s brutal.
You need fans. Multiple fans. One for the window to pull air in, and one to circulate it.
The renovation status of your specific room can feel like a lottery. The ground floors and certain wings feel more modern, with updated flooring and better lighting. Other hallways still have that "classic" Penn State dorm feel—heavy wooden doors, built-in desks that have seen decades of students, and those specific linoleum floors that reflect the fluorescent lights in a very nostalgic, if slightly depressing, way.
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The Social Scene is Different Here
In East Halls, you meet people by leaving your door open. In Simmons, it's a bit more intentional. Because it houses the Schreyer community, many students already know each other from honors orientation or shared classes.
It can feel a little cliquey at first. Kinda like everyone already has their "group." But the lounges are the secret weapon. The Simmons basement is massive. There are practice rooms for musicians, study nooks that stay quiet even at midnight, and a laundry room that is—surprisingly—not a total nightmare to use if you avoid Sunday nights.
What Most People Miss: The Small Details
People focus on the room size, but they forget about the infrastructure.
The bathrooms in Simmons vary wildly. Some have been redone with individual curtained stalls that offer a decent amount of privacy. Others are still the traditional "gang" style showers. It’s the luck of the draw based on which floor you’re assigned.
Then there’s the Simmons/McElwain Dining Commons. Or rather, the lack of a traditional one. While there is a snack bar and some grab-and-go options nearby, most Simmons residents trek over to the Redifer Commons in South or the HUB for real meals. It's not a long walk, but in a snowstorm, it feels like an expedition.
Is the Honors College Connection Worth It?
If you aren't in Schreyer, can you still enjoy Simmons? Absolutely.
A good portion of the building is open to general housing. It’s a popular choice for upperclassmen who want to stay on campus but crave a bit more independence and quiet. Living in Penn State Simmons Hall as a junior or senior is a totally different experience than being there as a freshman. You appreciate the proximity to the bars and restaurants downtown much more when you're 21.
Breaking Down the Cost and Value
Living on campus at Penn State isn't cheap. You’re paying for the convenience and the "experience."
In 2026, the rates for a double room in a renovated or semi-renovated building like Simmons are significantly higher than the unrenovated rooms in Pollock. You have to ask yourself if the extra square footage and the "prestige" of the location are worth the extra couple thousand dollars a year. For many, the answer is yes, simply because of the time saved commuting.
If you’re a STEM major with labs in the Osmond or Davey buildings, you’re looking at a three-minute walk. That’s more sleep. That’s more time to eat breakfast. You can't really put a price on not having to ride the CATA bus from North Halls every single morning.
Misconceptions About the "Quiet" Rule
There’s this myth that Simmons is like a library 24/7.
It’s not.
It’s still a college dorm. People play music. People talk in the halls. The difference is the type of noise. You’re less likely to deal with a floor-wide "darty" on a Tuesday afternoon, but you might have to deal with a heated debate about a philosophy paper at 1:00 AM in the common room. It's a different brand of energy.
Also, the "Simmons/McElwain" rivalry is mostly dead, but there’s still a weird sense of pride about which side of the complex you live on. Simmons is often seen as slightly more "academic" while McElwain is seen as a bit more social, though that changes every year based on the incoming class.
Practical Steps for Future Residents
If you’ve been assigned to Simmons or are considering putting it on your housing contract, don’t just wing it.
- Check the floor plans early. Penn State’s housing portal has layout maps. Not all rooms are shaped the same. Some are corner rooms with extra windows; some are "internal" rooms that can feel a bit darker.
- Invest in a high-quality rug. The floors are hard and cold in the winter. A thick rug changes the entire acoustics of the room and makes it feel significantly less like a hospital ward.
- Command hooks are your best friend. The walls are thick. You aren't nailing anything into them. If you want to personalize the space, buy the heavy-duty hooks.
- Explore the basement immediately. Most students spend a whole semester without realizing there are dedicated study rooms and even some recreational equipment tucked away downstairs.
- Get a bike or a scooter. Even though you’re close to downtown, the walk to the IST building or the stadium is still a hike. Having wheels makes the campus feel much smaller.
Simmons Hall represents a specific slice of Penn State life. It’s for the student who wants to be in the middle of everything but still have a sanctuary to return to. It’s for the person who values high ceilings over central air. It’s not perfect—no dorm is—but it has a character that the newer, "cookie-cutter" buildings in East simply can't match.
Deciding to live here means embracing the history of the building, including the occasional clanking radiator and the long walks to the dining hall. But for thousands of Nittany Lions, those quirks are exactly what made their college experience feel real.
Go into it with realistic expectations about the heat and the noise, and you'll find it's one of the best spots on the map.
Next Steps for Incoming Students:
- Log into the eLiving portal to check your specific room assignment and see if you are in a renovated wing.
- Join the Penn State Class of 20XX Facebook or Discord groups to find your floor-mates before move-in day.
- Coordinate with your roommate on who is bringing the window fan—you’ll need at least two for the first month.