But the best part about the dining hall is the food--or the hearty portions of it, at least. Most of us don't care how it tastes, as long as we get a lot of it. And if the generous portions of Harvard grub don't satisfy you, K-House boasts the finest house grill on campus (and one of the only ones that allows tabs). Of course, if you still have a few late-night cravings, the house is conveniently located only two blocks from Pinocchio's.

For the musically inclined, Kirkland House boasts five grand pianos. If you ever do get down to studying, Hicks House, a quaint restored home, is the perfect place to read.

The house does have its drawbacks, such as having rooms on the small side, but it is a close-knit community and you shouldn't go wrong if you end up in this house.

Leverett

The only good reason for objecting to Leverett House is the design of the Towers. Although the rooms are big, they are underheated and ugly. McKinlock, the old, traditional part of Leverett, is as nice as any other River house: fireplaces in every room, hardwood floors and poor plumbing lend McKinlock a lot of charm.

It is a myth that Leverett food is the worst among the River houses. Leverett's food is cooked at the same kitchen as Winthrop's and Lowell's. They are all equally bad. The distinguishing features of the Leverett dining hall are its trapezoidal shape and the abundance of announcements the House Committee makes during every meal. You cannot usually go through an entire meal without being interrupted by someone clinking a glass at the other end of the room.

Leverett is a diverse house. There are varsity athletes, junior varsity athletes, intramural athletes and independent athletes. And don't forget the house spirit leaders who organize numerous events, including a very strong community service program (HAND). The rest of Leverett residents can be classified as "other"--the same generic "other" that lives in Quincy.

Lowell

Three years ago, depressed first-year students who were randomized into Lowell House sang a song called "Lowell's Bells"--to the tune of AC/DC's "Hell's Bells"--to voice their displeasure at their new home. Those were the days of the Phi Beta Kappa quads and a house library open so many hours that it gave Store 24 a run for its money. In those days at Lowell House, every night was a Tuesday night.

But all that's changed. A glance around the dining hall reveals athletes, 'Poonsters, political activists and drama folk. Indeed, some veterans of the old days now complain that the house is filled with too many "Eliot House" types.

The preppy presence is there, but it's not overbearing. The house seems more a cross section of Harvard than the domain of any one particular social group.

But forget about the people for a second. Lowell sits on what is perhaps the best house location on campus. It's near enough to the Square to not have to worry about rushing to class, and it's far enough that you can avoid the annoying crowds across the street at Adams House.

An added plus to the house is the teas that the masters--the Bosserts--provide each Thursday. Mary Lee Bossert concocts so many tasty treats that they alone make Lowell a decent place to reside for three years.

Mather

Do you spend most of your time playing a varsity sport? Or do you spend most of your time crafting intricate math proofs?