BU does not have the typical crappy dorms for students (they sold the last crappy dorm a few years back, the Hamilton House in Packards Corner). Even the older, larger dormitories (West and Warren) have been updated and are pretty popular among freshmen and sophomore students, especially the dining halls.
I mentioned this in the BU tower thread, the selection process is based off seniority, then a lottery based on one's class. Even still, there are plenty of slots open to freshmen if they would like to live in the Bay State Rd or South Campus brownstones. The Student Village dorms are the only ones exclusively reserved for upperclassmen; as more beds become available, this will probably change.
I mentioned this in the BU tower thread, the selection process is based off seniority, then a lottery based on one's class. Even still, there are plenty of slots open to freshmen if they would like to live in the Bay State Rd or South Campus brownstones. The Student Village dorms are the only ones exclusively reserved for upperclassmen; as more beds become available, this will probably change.