<p>Hi I was wondering what the best dorms are for boys. I'm a freshman and I'm wondering what the best suite style places are. Thanks</p>
<p>Unless you got accepted to the Honors College (hence, you’d probably choose the Honors dorm) or Capstone program (then choosing the Capstone dorm), the other options for guys are a bit more limited than girls in terms of nice or new.</p>
<p>My son is a freshman now and is in Columbia dorm, which is very social somewhat of a party dorm according to my son. AUGirl mentioned on another housing thread that both Columbia and Capstone (right next to each other) are not conveniently located, which I agree; but they are near several buildings that hold many of the freshman core classes. My son has had 4 out of 5 classes both semesters literally right next to these dorms or within a 5 minute walk. They are old and dated but in terms of suite style dorms available to guys, so are the others. Actually I can only think of a couple others: Maxcy and Preston. I don’t know anything about Maxcy except I think it’s the international dorm and great location, my son has a friend there now and he likes it (AUGirl can tell you more about that one). Preston is in central campus, literally right across from the student center (Russell House) and library. It’s known for the residential college, requires it’s own dining plan as they eat dinner together, and from what I understand, a very close-knit community but not the ‘party’ reputation so it really depends on what you’re looking for. My son applied there (it is a Living Learning Community so application is required) but his chosen roommate did not so they ended up in Columbia. He likes it but in hindsight, he said if he had to do it over again, he would have tried a random roommate in Preston because he’s not much into the party scene so that would have been a better fit. He actually got in Preston for next year but I think he’s going the apartment route with friends instead. </p>
<p>There are virtual tours on the website: [University</a> Housing - Virtual Tour](<a href=“Residence Halls - Housing | University of South Carolina”>Residence Halls - Housing | University of South Carolina) and you should read up on the Living Learning Communities as well: [University</a> Housing](<a href=“Where Living Meets Learning - Housing | University of South Carolina”>Where Living Meets Learning - Housing | University of South Carolina)</p>
<p>Thank you very much</p>
<p>Yep. Best bets are Cola Hall, Maxcy, and Preston. Maxcy flies under the radar a lot because it’s such a small building (180 people if I remember correctly), but it’s got one of the best locations (despite being on the edge of campus) and it is newly renovated. (Although, I don’t think the actual rooms are renovated.)</p>
<p>I lived there my freshman year and I loved it. I walked through the Horseshoe every day. I was only five minutes to the majority of my classes. (Humanities, Gambrell, Callicott, the Science Buildings) It’s also only five minutes from Russel House, which is great as a freshman because you’re required to have a meal plan and Russel House has the largest selection of food. Also only five minutes from the library.</p>
<p>I had friends in Preston and they absolutely loved it. I think the rooms, in general, are pretty big. It definitely has the best location on campus and it is a really tight-knit community.</p>
<p>Another Dorm question. My son likes the idea of the Leaning Communities. He will be a Computer Science Major so this looks like it puts him in Bates West. He also plans to be in the marching band and saw the practice fields close by.</p>
<p>I guess my question is; will he get enough benefit out of the Engineering & Computing ALC as a freshmen to offset the fact he is away from the center of campus and probably a good distance from his freshmen classes.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance for any comments/advice.</p>
<p>It probably is pretty equal since he’s a computer science major and in band. Those classes are close to him. Science building isn’t too bad. Other gen eds may be far away but no worse than living in Capstone or Cola Hall and having classes in engineering or music. Sometimes there are also on-site Univ 101 classes at some dorms. And now there are 20 min between classes. </p>
<p>As to benefit of ALC, maybe you will get some response from students - although anything that makes USC smaller by making a bond among students is good IMO. You’ll get that in marching band and that may be enough for you. If living there gives you a leg up on meeting professors, having special events, etc that may have some value.</p>
<p>My freshman d has really loved being part of a living learning community this year. Even though Capstone is definitely a hike to some of her classes, the gym, etc, she has enjoyed the community aspect of her dorm. She is lucky, as her entire floor has gotten along really well and it worked out that they are all on the same page with studying, etc. Her floor is not a big party floor, however, there are other floors that are. I think next year will be a bit of an adjustment when the students on her floor all move in different directions! I do think the living learning communities are a great idea.I don’t know anything about the computer science one, but my d has friends in the pre-health dorm who are very happy with their freshman experience so far. As mentioned above, my d had univ 101 with her friends right in the Capstone building. Some of her friends had special sections of English together as well. This experience definitely helped her meet people quickly as they had certain events, meetings, etc that they were required to attend together.</p>
<p>It depends on the ALC. I lived in two in two years and there weren’t super tight bonds because of the ALC.</p>
<p>Some (Capstone and Preston) are really good. Others are less so. I would think that Bates West would be one of the “worse” ones simply because it’s apartment-style and not traditional or suite-style. Living in apartments makes it really hard to get to know your neighbors. It’s much easier with dorms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I am concerned about the apartment style as well. My experience, in a different era, found the traditional style dorm to be very helpful socially. DS is somewhat of an introvert, like his dad, and he is an only. I think he is also attracted by the additional privacy of the apartment style dorms.</p>
<p>Anxious to see what he thinks based on these thoughtful comments. Kinda glad this is not my call, so many options…</p>