<p>Last year we were lucky to have so many wonderful posters give us advice about things to do after being admitted and I'd like to pass along a little!</p>
<ol>
<li> Sign up for housing as soon as you can to be first in line! Freshman housing is a first come, first served type thing and the earlier you sign up for it, the more choices you will have. There is a $45 (I think) nonrefundable fee for this, but if you are seriously considering USC this may be worth it.<br></li>
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<p>Last year D waited until mid April to decide on USC and got on the list after that. I wish she'd have done it sooner so she could have ended up in her first choice-- a birnkrant triple.</p>
<p>The 2011-2012 freshman Trustee and Pres scholars were all placed in Birnkrant (if they wanted) in an honors dorm of sorts. So, even though she waited, she did get in her first choice dorm, just in a double instead. Not sure if this will be the same again next year, but I'd probably bet on it!</p>
<ol>
<li> Go to Explore even if you will be a NMF Presidential scholar. You will enjoy your time and USC and get a better idea of what it would be like to be there! Not sure of the Explore dates, but spring break starts on 3/9 this year so try and avoid the following week when many students will be gone. You may also be pleasantly surprised and bumped up to a Trustee scholarship or more!</li>
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<p>Finally, CONGRATULATIONS on the scholarship/admittance! Whether you choose USC or not, you will hopefully find where you belong and can afford and thrive.</p>
<p>Also, don’t feel pressured to sign up for any specific dorm! They all have their own unique cultures, so research and find the one that’s best for you. </p>
<p>[There’s a thread on here that’s a little old-just a warning!]</p>
<p>Also, very important: know that you can do the dorm deposit thing (and be in a great position for dorm preference) EVEN THOUGH you have not committed to USC. It’s worth the small deposit - about $35 or $45 I think.</p>
<p>You can also change your dorm preference any time up until they do assignments, and the date of your application will not change. So other than the small fee, there’s pretty much no reason NOT to do it.</p>
<p>Can someone post the link to the information about dorms and the dorm deposits? I tried to find it tonight, but can’t locate it. And are you sure you can do that without sending an enrollment deposit?</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for all the great tips!</p>
<p>Yes, you can do this without enrollment deposit! The sign-up for housing for freshman 2012-2013 will open 2/1/2012 according to USC housing application page. You will pay a fee.</p>
<p>Here is a link for housing at USC options:
[Housing</a> Options](<a href=“http://housing.usc.edu/]Housing”>http://housing.usc.edu/)</p>
<p>Parents,</p>
<pre><code>SC has many housing options. One option is the Residential College. There will be eight this next fall. These follow the British plan of having a faculty “master” live in the residence hall. Also offered in these halls are opportunities for lectures and cultural activities planned by the faculty member.
SC is fortunate in housing choices. There are no dorms where rooms for two are now now rooms for three. Triples are made for three with ample space.
On the website above you can see floor plans of the dorm spaces. On YouTube there are a couple of videos about move-in day. You will be able to see some of the rooms in those videos.
</code></pre>
<p>Thank you!! Very helpful info.</p>