<p>Which one would you prefer and why? What are the major differences between them?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Bump. I’m actually quite interested in those as well. Supposedly the better cafeteria is down near there, and the buildings are newer (which in my mind means that they are probably in better shape/nicer to live in).</p>
<p>I keep hearing that A&H is the better one. People seem to be more interested in A&H from what I’ve read. I personally put A&H ahead.</p>
<p>As I’ve always understood it, there is Parkside A & H, Parkside IRC (International Residential College) and Parkside Apartments (not a dorm). Not sure what you mean by “regular.”</p>
<p>They both looked the same to me! Both the nicest dorms I saw! Housekeepers walking around cleaning…New and clean looking.</p>
<p>That’s what I thought jazz/shreddermom!</p>
<p>I think the OP means
- A&H
- IRC
?</p>
<p>I’m with the others - there are three Parksides.</p>
<p>Parkside IRC has an International theme and has the Parkside dining room in it. Parkside A&H has an Arts and Humanities theme and is right next door to Parkside IRC and its dining room. Both are very nice suite-style accomodations, are fairly new, have air conditioning and are indistinguishable in terms of their facilities. There are no kitchens and residents are required to purchase a meal plan. In general, both Parkside IRC and A&H residents are freshmen, but there are some sophomores and upperclassmen in residence.</p>
<p>Parkside Apartments is directly across a courtyard from Parkside IRC. It is much older (I am thinking 30+ years old) and does not have air conditioning. All of the apartments have kitchens, so residents are not required to purchase a meal plan. In general, freshmen do not live in Parkside apartments.</p>
<p>OK, that really helps clears things up! Thanks everyone for the replies!</p>
<p>Parkside A & H has certain special interest floors that draw freshman. That, along with A/C, proximity to the “better” dining hall and an alternative to dorms with more of a 24/7 party “rep.” As far as all this talk of it being “far away from everything,” I guess it’s all relative. We were quite surprised at close everything is at USC. It’s a nice compact campus no matter which dorm you choose, especially if you have a bike.</p>
<p>My son wanted the “music” floor and air conditioning, so he chose Parkside A & H. He also liked the two regular bathrooms for the 8 suitemates, rather than a community one for an entire hallway. The roommate compatibility (his own roomie) could’ve been better, but he didn’t put any effort into finding his roommate (via facebook or the online matching system) - he just let USC do it for him. Live and learn. </p>
<p>As far as the rooms, location, dorm vibe, etc., he has been quite happy.</p>
<p>My first choice is also the music floor, hope that comes true! What is the online matching system? I was planning on just letting USC do it… What sort of problems did he have with his roommate?</p>
<p>A&H and IRC are practically identical. There are no significant differences worth mentioning. Parkside Apartments are completely different and shares the same name because it’s in the same area.</p>
<p>Does the IRC side have faculty in residence? I thought that was a really nice feature of A&H. My son was invited to dinner, and to football viewing parties, etc., with the head faculty guy. There was also a more junior faculty member couple on his floor, and they were very good to the students. It was really good for someone new to LA.</p>
<p>Yes, the IRC also has faculty (and their families) in residence. They host dinners and other events.</p>
<p>One of the main differences between A&H and IRC is that A&H has common rooms (which have a table and chairs) in addition to each room, while IRC only has a hallway separating the rooms. Also, A&H is newer but both are in very good condition.</p>
<p>I like A&H better but I’m biased. They’re both fine dorms. A&H is a little closer to most of campus, but not considerably. A&H also tends to get a lot of theatre & music students, it seems like we have more than any of the other freshman dorms.</p>
<p>On the website’s virtual our, it shows the IRC has none while the tours of other dorms do. Does IRC have bulletin boards? If not, how do students commonly decorate their dorms etc. without leaving marks? This may be early to ask, but I am really excited, lol.</p>
<p>I don’t know about IRC, but A&H does not have a bulletin board, though one of the walls in the common room acts as one. I just used painters tape, though a word to the wise: when I was pulling my painter’s tape up today, I pulled a bit of the wall/paint with it! Yikes. I’m sure that will be a nice deduction from my security deposit…</p>
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<p>Poster tack is your best friend! (Make sure you buy white poster tack and not the yellow/blue ones as they might leave marks on the paint.) </p>
<p>Also, Fluor didn’t have a hung bulletin board, but I bought one anyway and put it on the highest shelf of my desk for added decoration.</p>
<p>Thanks, wisdomsomehow and Zelda! :D</p>