<p>if you're a transfer student can you get singles since you're an upperclassman?</p>
<p>and its weird how we're all worrying about the best housing when we dont even know if we're in or not. in fact i highly doubt i will be admitted so i feel dumb for asking this question</p>
<p>The food at Berkeley is amazing at least for the first 2 meals. And then you realize it is just taste like buffet food.</p>
<p>"AdamantineX - I think all first year freshman and transfers should experience life in dorms, and I would consider Campus Apartments close enough to the "dorm life""</p>
<p>at UCI, this is not the case. last year i lived in dorms and made a lot of new friends and got to know everyone. also, i was in an "academic" hall so it guess it wasnt as crazy. this year i live in campus apt. and i dont even know my neighbors, not to mention my room mates. there is no life what so ever in apt.</p>
<p>i think the best way to get to know people is to dorm. this may sound surprising, but the best way to study is also in dorms because theres someone looking over your shoulder all the time and the only thing safe to do is study. you can also study with your hall mates if they are taking the same classes.</p>
<p>Since I already typed this in the Berkeley forum, I'm just going to quote my previous post-</p>
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I am a transfer currently living in Wada. Most people say that Wada is amazing-- and it is amazing compared to the dorms. It's only a few years old and includes 2 bedrooms with a common area/kitchen and its own bathroom. However, I would say that I felt that the compliments are just slightly overblown. Cheap Ikea furniture and a cement utilitarian look keep Wada from looking like a "real" apartment. Not that this is a huge problem-- I was just expecting more because of the way people talk about it. Also, be warned that there is practically no cell phone reception because of the cement walls.</p>
<p>Most apartments consist of a triple bedroom and a double bedroom, with a total of 5 people living in each apartment. The toilet and shower are separated into stalls, making it easier for this many people to share one bathroom. The kitchen includes lots of cabinet space, a microwave, a stove, a sink, and a refrigerator.</p>
<p>The nice thing about living in an apartment is the added privacy. If your roommate wants to go to bed early and you want to stay up it is easy to study in the common area. This definitely reduces roommate issues since it is easier to compromise on such things.</p>
<p>Many people say that the apartments are not very social, but I haven't had that problem. Since each apartment is self contained, many people do not venture out into the hallways except on their way to class. Also, people are less likely to attend hall activities and the RA's are more hands-off. However, during welcome week I was outgoing enough to meet many people on my floor and we have continued socializing for the rest of the semester. As long as you are aggressive in meeting people in the beginning you shouldn't have a problem.</p>
<p>Wada is listed as cheaper than the dorms, but it also comes with a smaller financial aid package and you must buy your meal plan separately. If you factor these things in, the prices are probably about the same. Since Wada apartments are significantly bigger than dorm rooms and come with a kitchen, they're a pretty good deal.
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Don't worry too much if you don't get into Wada right away. Many many people here got in by appealing after they got their housing offers. Since a lot of students apply for campus housing as a backup in case they don't secure an apartment, many spaces will open up after housing offers are released. Every one of my roommates got in through appeal. You just need to speak to the right person to be put on the waiting list.
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<p>I should add this in case anyone thinks that Wada is actually cheaper. Be warned, it comes with a smaller financial aid package than the rest of the dorms since it's considered off-campus. </p>
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If you have no financial aid, Wada IS significantly cheaper. If you do receive financial aid, they end up being about the same. According to the financial aid website, the off campus package for 07-08 was
$21,328 compared to $25,308 for on campus. This means that they will give you about $4,000 less if you live in Wada.</p>
<p>However, it's still a pretty good deal considering Wada is so much better than the dorms for about the same price.
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<p>Thanks for clearing that up karabear1. I keep forgetting about the financial aid packages.</p>