<p>Sorry tocollege, I think I mixed up two different posters with similar issues. I apologize for the bad attitude (Life is stressful for a graduating senior during the career fair!). </p>
<p>Just to clarify:</p>
<p>Marks and Trojan Halls (Deans Halls)
Pardee Tower
Marks Tower
New/North without a Sink
and a Birnkrant Double </p>
<p>...all cost the same amount of money per semester- $3210</p>
<p>Nikara-how is the career fair?</p>
<p>I think it is most important to try to taste the food at the different places to eat so that you can get a meal plan which matches your diet. Each of the dining halls offer something different. You don't want to end up wasting money at the end of the semester because you did not use all of your dining dollars.</p>
<p>mdcissp- I don't want students to misunderstand your post. They can't really pick a meal plan that would include different dining halls. Besides the Honors House described above, all of the meal plans include dining at the two main dining halls: EVK and Parkside. All the other eating areas (Trojan Hospitality dining locations) are paid for with "dining dollars." The Residential Fast Pass Meal Plan is the only plan that does not include dining dollars. </p>
<p>But maybe you are pointing out that the students may want a pick a dorm closer either to Parkside or to EVK since they would tend to dine at their closest dining hall and those two are very different.</p>
<p><a href="http://hospitality.usc.edu/forms/meal_plans.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://hospitality.usc.edu/forms/meal_plans.pdf</a>
:)</p>
<p>My son lives in the Arts and Humanities community at Parkside, and I would say it's definitely true that Parkside kids tend to eat at Parkside. The food is reputed to be much better than at EVK, and it's a long hike over to EVK anyway. S does know a number of kids who walk to Parkside because they don't like EVK on a daily basis. </p>
<p>Someone asked about bathrooms, so I'll share what I know about Parkside A&H. The suite of 8 students/4 bedrooms has 2 bathrooms to share, and they seem to be cleaned frequently by staff who actually know how to clean. I think these guys are going to be in for a shock when they move off campus and have to do their own cleaning!</p>
<p>Parkside was a bit more expensive, but we've found it well worth it. I sense that it does not attract kids who are dying to get away from home and into the college party scene - they are maybe a little more serious or quirky or arty, though I don't mean to generalize too much. The dorm is social when needed (fun organized activities, plus spontaneous ones), but it's not a party destination, so students don't have to put up with noise and the mess that can come with big open parties. Also, Parkside has air conditioning, which is great if you're not used to the LA climate. And the food is really excellent. S loves the Fast Pass meal plan because he can eat as many times per day as he wants to, without counting the meals he uses.</p>
<p>EVK has acquired a grill or grills this semester and they have different specials every day. s says it's good.<br>
last semester s has extra meals left overs but this semester, he runs out of meals every week so the Fast Pass meal plan might be worth it.</p>
<p>My daughter used all of her meals last year. She had the basic meal plan($2510).</p>
<p>Hey quick question. I know that you've all mentioned that A&H isn't really that social, and that the kids there are more into the academic studying, which is great. I'm just wondering, are there EVER any parties at A&H? Like, at all? lol Oh, and how would you compare A&H to Brinkant?</p>
<p>Many of us are just parents, so we wouldn't necessarily know. But I guarantee you that most of us think the A&H/Parkside kids are way too social! They don't study all that much, as far as I can tell. When people say it's not a party dorm, that means it's not a well-known site of large drinking parties. But there are lots of very social kids there. The RA's are not known to be tolerant of visible wild parties, but it sounds like small gatherings happen. Kids there who want to really whoop it up will go over to the frat parties, or over to New/North. But they're just as likely to be playing video games or pool or board games at their own dorm, or roaming the campus doing odd things like skateboarding down the parking garage ramps, making movies or jumping in fountains. Plenty of activity, but lots of variety.</p>
<p>Okay that's great to know. I didn't want to live at Parkside and have no activity at all going on there. I think the normal (as my mom likes to put it: "good, clean fun") sort of activities going on there is a great thing. Gives you more of an incentive aside from the many amenities. Thanks!</p>
<p>12layla12, I can corroborate what FauxNom says. My D is living Parkside, in IRC which is next door to A/H and has a similar suite type living arrangement. My D and her friends are very happy there and socialize a lot with both IRC and A/H students. That she often goes to sleep at 3 in the morning is not always due to studying and writing essays.</p>
<p>FauxNom, do you know if Parkside International RC's suites have their bathrooms cleaned by staff as well?</p>
<p>Also, are the dorms @ Parkside coed by individual rooms (meaning in a suite of 4 bedrooms with 2 students each, there are both guys and girls) or is it single-gender by suite?</p>
<p>Has anyone had a problem with changing your choice of Special Interest Housing? I initially selected North's Business Floors in the online app, but now I'm thinking Birnkrant or PIRC will be better for me. However, the link to the Special Interest section is inaccessible :( I can still make changes to my housing preference though!</p>
<p>ycang - I'm nearly certain they have the same cleaning arrangement in Parkside IRC as at PAHRC. The suites are single sex - 8 guys share the suite, but there are male and female suites on every floor.</p>
<p>The selection of your building precedes the selection of the Special Interest Housing choice. My daughter had also selected the Special Interest Housing as #2 and her dorm as #1. She was assigned dorm #1.</p>
<p>Yea but i initially indicated I wanted Business Floors as North was my first choice (since they instructed us to select a special interest choice that tallies with the housing choice). Then, I changed my mind, but I can't access the special housing page to modify my original selection!</p>
<p>A/H and IRC require an application form if that's still the case this year. It's very simple.
Also IRC has 6 person suites, and some 5 person ones (one is a single), (all with 2 full bathrooms), whereas A/H has mostly 8 person and some 6 person ones. A/H has a little area with table and chairs that serves as a little common space. IRC suites don't, but the hall is still decently spacious.</p>
<p>ycang - I suggest you call USC Housing and ask, but I think you should be fine as long as you put Birnkrant and PIRC over New/North. The impression I've gotten from the Housing staff is that they really don't look at a lot of what you put on your application.</p>
<p>ycang, you can email Housing to have your choices changed. I think that happened with my s also.</p>
<p>Does anyone know up until around what date we can change our housing preferences? I keep changing my mind, so I'd like to know a general timeline lol</p>
<p>Up until they actually start assignments, which would be in early May.</p>