<p>If all goes as planned I'll start at USF next fall. I know it's a long way off but I was wondering what current students have thought about the different dorms. Mostly I'm considering Beta or Castor because I think traditional style would suit me better and I would LOVE it if someone could share some pictures of the dorm rooms to give me an idea of the size. Also what were your experiences in the different dorms?</p>
<p>Personally, I do not like Beta/Castor. Traditional sounds nice, but Castor is pretty old and the closet is small. Suite style gives you a more closer relationship with a group of others. If you go for suite style, try for Juniper-Poplar, it is like a hotel and is simply amazing. You share a bathroom with two others besides your roommate. If you can’t, the next best is Delta because they just renovated it this summer. The worst is got to be Kappa, please stay away. Sharing a bathroom isn’t as bad as it sounds, I’m sure the girls keep it pretty clean and even the 8 guys I share the bathroom with keep it clean (the staff also cleans it quite often). J-P gives you a larger room and more private space and is much much better than anything else. It’s also close to all your classes and has a dining hall right downstairs. Only thing it is far from is the rec center, which isn’t a problem if you don’t work out every day.</p>
<p>From what I’ve seen I thought the traditional dorms were bigger. According to the website Beta/Castor are about 180sq ft while J-P is only 154sq ft. I know it’s not a huge difference but it’s not like I’m living in the bathroom. What makes Kappa so awful?</p>
<p>Yeah, the Castor rooms are about 12’x15’ and the little closets are within that space. I was in Castor my freshman year; it wasn’t that bad and it is conveniently located near a dining hall and close to classrooms and Marshall Center and not to far to rec center and the athletic district. All dorm rooms are small!</p>
<p>Try going for a tour of USF. Juniper is much much more beautiful than Castor, not to mention the community is so much different. Once you see the difference, you’ll know. Only reason why I’m not at J-Pop is because their rent is higher and I’m trying to save.</p>
<p>I’ve been on one tour and saw J-P, but now all the housing tours show is the apartments which is pretty useless.</p>
<p>I’m not too experienced with a few of the mentioned places, aside from being J-P a few times. I currently live in the Holly apartments. My first impression was “oh my…am I living in this small of a space?!” but after a week or two you get well adjusted to it. And I really enjoy the luxury of having my private sleeping space and can go out and be social in the living room area of our apartment when I want to. Traditional and Suite style is excellent for first and possible 2nd years. By Junior and Senior year, allot want to move into off-campus apartments or the on-campus apartment style places.</p>
<p>I’m in JP this semester but I have friends from all over campus. Quite honestly I feel that the whole “traditional style” dorm thing that Beta/Castor have going is overrated. If you’re worried about meeting people, don’t be because you will. It just might take more of an effort on your part, like going up to people in the dining halls or joining organizations when they’re doing their goofy ice breaker games at the beginning of the year. </p>
<p>All first year students were required to stay in Castor for orientation, and you probably will be too. A lot of people that I’ve met living there have had issues with moisture in the room, and a lot of people end up getting dehumidifiers for their dorms. But I’ve also heard that people feel more like a community there, probably because traditional style is only 1st year students and they all have this common goal of trying to make friends.</p>
<p>I stayed two nights in Castor for orientation (night before the 1st day and night in between), and while I know I would’ve survived living there, I much prefer suite style dorms. You have the options of being social when you want to be by going out into your “pod” or common area, or you can have some alone time in your room without having to leave for much else. I opted for JP in the first place out of convenience. I’m on the first floor, so I have a dining hall, Starbucks, convenience store, laundry room, and a free printer all within a short walk. </p>
<p>Next year though, I’m probably staying in an apartment, most likely either Magnolia or Cypress. I’m going to want more privacy next year as my course load gets difficult, and you meet so many people your first year that you’ll always be able to find someone to hang out with. </p>
<p>I would suggest that you go to the all day Saturday tours (they usually have two in the spring, one was in February and one in April last year I believe), they will show you all of the different dorm styles and not just one particular one. It helped me make my decision easier. </p>
<p>Also, have an open mind. A lot of people don’t get their preferred living style (the earlier you get the application in, the less likely you are to have that problem), and they’re forced to deal for at least the first few weeks of school, so just come in with a smile and excitement, and you’ll be okay no matter where you stay.</p>