<p>I got this letter from USC about purchasing university supplied linen. Is it more feasible than purchasing individually from other sources?</p>
<p>indmaverick When you buy bed-sheets for your mattress at the dorms you buy a pack that includes everything you need. You don’t need to buy for example fitted sheets and flats sheets separately. They all come together in a pack. The size that you need for USC dorms are twin extra long. Most stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond and Target will have them.</p>
<p>My roommate bought them 4 years ago when I was a freshman and they weren’t of very good quality and I remember them being priced reasonably high. </p>
<p>I can’t say if they’ve improved but in all honestly, I’d just go out and buy your own stuff.</p>
<p>definitely bring your own. My friend bought theirs, and I honestly couldnt tell the difference or the worth in using their linen.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot guys.</p>
<p>I called up and the sheets have the standard 200 thread count. I just got some extra long ones at Bed Bath & Beyond.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>Uh-oh; I was hoping to use the convenience of the USC bedding sets. Really hate shopping for that stuff, but if there are comfort/quality issues, I guess I’ll stay away from the mailer offerings. Guess I’ll have the hit the linen stores. Dang. Son just got back from 2-night stay for orientation, and mentioned the mattress seemed overly firm, so it looks like it’s topper time. Any experiences out there on a good plush twin XL mattress topper to get? We have Costco, BBB, Target, and most of the usual national chains to choose from here in Oregon.</p>
<p>You can order everything on line at target or BB&B and pick it up in LA. That way you don’t have to pack it all or ship it. You will make several trips while you move in any way!!</p>
<p>@timedad
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1525302-mattress-topper-memory-foam-thick-mattress-pad.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-southern-california/1525302-mattress-topper-memory-foam-thick-mattress-pad.html</a></p>
<p>@Cadreadmin, I can’t believe I didn’t see that thread! Thanks – I’ll look for a 3" memory foam topper.</p>
<p>@lorilynne, that sounds like a great idea. I’ll hit those stores up and see if I can do it all from one store. S may be doing his move-in by himself, but he now has the university zip car account set up so if I can have it all waiting for him at one store, that would work well.</p>
<p>timedad,</p>
<p>Check out: [Moving</a> Solutions for Freshman - Bed Bath & Beyond](<a href=“http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btsmovingsolutions.asp?]Moving”>http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/btsmovingsolutions.asp?) if you haven’t seen already.</p>
<p>timedad - you can do most everything at BBB and have it for pick up in LA. They definitely have toppers (again check size and get info on smell). Don’t get overly thick heavy towels. Feel good in store, but a pain to wash and dry time wise and they end up on the floor anyway 
BBB is readying their back to college section this week and they have a checklist in the store. Beware, you do not need all the crap they have listed on their checklist - too much stuff. Be sure you get a mattress pad to go over the topper, they are about 50 bucks. Also if you don’t get them in mail, go to website and enter your email address for a 20% off single item coupon. They take it off the most expensive item. Could save you $30 or so on the topper. Do not buy one of those funky dorm type chairs they promote, let your son see the room he has to work with before you buy anything of size. The USC bookstore has a lot of items as well and there is a CVS and Ralphs in walking distance that stocks for the college crowd, big housewares/dorm room thingy departments. I highly recommend setting up an Amazon prime account which is 2 day delivery service for free (he can get a college account for free, but our family found it to be a great deal and subscribe annually I think it’s $79 - for all our online shopping, pays for itself at Christmas alone!). Delivery/package service is great at the dorms, if he needs something he can order it and pick it up at the reception area of the dorm.</p>
<p>If you are doing the BBB pickup in Los Angeles, just be aware that the stores are absolutely mobbed during move-in week and plan accordingly. It’s not as hassle free as it sounds.</p>
<p>My son hated his bedding from the mail order company. While convenient , the lack of comfort and short life span due to quality are not worth it.</p>
<p>Good point snowdog. We drive in and didn’t deal with the pickup stuff, can only imagine. If you aren’t familiar with the crowds of CA shopping, it can be a bit much! And driving around LA for new freshman isn’t much fun either, but if this kid is moving in on his own, good for him and being so independent. I’m sure he could dump what he brings in his suitcases in his room and meet a new pal that needs to shop as well to make the adventure. Also, remember you can ship an extra box on Southwest or whatever airline for around $50. You don’t need that much to get started and have time those first few days to get other stuff in order.</p>
<p>So the general consensus is not to buy the value packs USC offers and rather buy it elsewhere such as bed bath and beyond?</p>
<p>That adds a new wrinkle to it. The spending all our time in CA traffic makes me think we’ll bring the stuff with us. Flying in on Southwest which allows free luggage. I think I’ll pack it all in a bag and throw it in the rental car. :)</p>
<p>Ya, you get two free bags on SW and then any additional I believe are $50. You don’t need a ton to get started. At a minimum, soft sheets and towels and some clothes get them rolling (plus the obvious computer/laptop). Toiletries and school supplies can be bought at the bookstore or at nearby drug or grocery stores. Mom/dad can ship a mattress pad and even foam topper to arrive after the student does if too much to carry in and don’t want to deal with the CA traffic/shopping. Whether they actually take off the sheets to add them to the bed is another question :)</p>
<p>We are able to drive everything, but I will say for my friends whose kids went further away and they had to fly in to their school, that time “shopping” (sitting in traffic, waiting in line, having lunch together) is part of the time with them before you say goodbye. Stressful maybe, but part of this experience. Otherwise you are awkwardly just sitting in their room as they are waiting for you to leave. Might as well have something to do together if you want to make it last a bit longer…</p>
<p>Wow. these posts gave me a lot of good stuff to think about. Did some major shopping last night at BBB and Target, and son and I have conquered all but the mattress topper at this point. Because a big topper is so huge, he may wait to acquire it in SoCal rather than ship it, since he can sleep a few nights without it if need be. </p>
<p>Alternatively, I am trying to figure out if I can arrange an absence from my work duties (which may be tough as big project milestone looms the same week students check in at USC) so I can drive down with him rather than fly him down. If I can work something like this out, we’ll snag a memory foam topper up here so he can air it out and try it out before we head south. This was always my preferred plan but project schedules tend to play havoc with plans.</p>