<p>I'm applying for housing for fall 2012, and just wanted to clear a few things up. A little advice would be appreciated as well!</p>
<p>I'm one of only two children, and am not used to living in a bustling, crowded environment (which makes LA a good choice, right? ;)) I like privacy, am very independent, take my academics seriously, and would prefer housing with just one or two other students, ideally with a private bathroom, and kitchen if affordable. I'm not antisocial or against partying, per se, but I don't drink or do drugs, and I don't want to live in a residence hall where those things are overwhelmingly prevalent (I know this is college, so I'm not kidding myself. I'd just prefer not be barraged with it.) I have already been steered away from New and North because of this (any others I should avoid?)</p>
<p>Looking at the housing brochure, initially, my first choice is Webb Tower, either a studio apartment, or A/B suite. I like that it is newer, quieter, more well equiped, and more geared toward older, less party oriented students.</p>
<p>My questions are; am I interpreting this correctly or am I being unrealistic? Are freshman allowed to live in suites with private bathrooms and kitchens? Is Webb tower a good place for freshman? And, am I correct in thinking that a Webb tower residence costs about the same as other dorms? How is this possible? Sorry for all the questions...thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I’m kinda iffy on Webb too. I love all the amenities it offers but I still want to be really social, and I don’t know how living in Webb will affect that.</p>
<p>Same here. I want to be social, but I also want to be afforded privacy and quiet when I need it. I notice that Webb doesn’t have a “recreational” area; so does that mean no lounge or other common space? Would it be weird if I was constantly socializing at dorms I didn’t live in? I’m also wondering about meal plans, because my gathering is that they’re specific to housing. What kind are offered with Webb? If I lived there, would my meal plan allow me to eat at other dorm’s dining areas?</p>
<p>Again, I have a lot of questions. Sorry! If anyone lives/has lived in Webb or has any insight about it, I would greatly appreciate it!</p>
<p>I have no experience with Webb but I can describe the dorms I’ve been to.</p>
<p>Parkside IRC: Great for studying, not very social at all. It’s a suite arrangement and a lot of students prefer keeping their door closed so it’s not very conducive to socializing. Also, most students here are international so don’t expect a typical college residence hall here. Air conditioning is great and bathrooms are cleaned a few times a week by maids. It’s also right next to Parkside Restaurant so that’s really convenient.</p>
<p>Parkside Arts and Humanities: Same deal as IRC just newer and I’d say more social. Also, A&H have a little bit more common area in the suite than do IRC suites. You’ll find more open doors here.</p>
<p>New/North: What you’d expect. Open doors everywhere. People walking around the halls, usually not sticking to their own rooms. Much more lively. Expect loud music. I would find it difficult to study in this environment. A lot older than Parkside and no air conditioning.</p>
<p>Trojan Hall: Probably my least favorite. Really old. I heard there was a rat problem this year. It’s a similar arrangement to New/North, but more dead. Nonetheless more social than Parkside.</p>
<p>Pardee: Similar to New/North but less social.</p>
<p>Fluor Tower: Seems like a very good setup. Relatively new, and the apartment-style setup can be really appealing. It seems pretty quiet so it’d be good for studying, but it is also quite social and you can expect some dorm parties since it’s easy to party behind closed doors.</p>
<p>Whatever housing you choose, you’ll get used to it. It’s easy to get a break from New/North if you need to study since it is conveniently right next to Leavey Library. However, in my experience it is always better to opt for more social dorms for your first year. You can really miss out on the experience by choosing to live in a single or keeping your door closed.</p>
<p>^ They are generally fine. I prefer the suite setup mostly because of the more traditional bathroom. Nonetheless, the communal bathrooms are clean for the most part.</p>
<p>Also, I forgot to mention Birnkrant. Birnkrant is very similar to New/North but a little toned down and newer. Also very social.</p>
<p>My housing brochure states that Webb runs anywhere from $4,000 to $4,800 per semeter, which is expensive, certainly, but seems to be comparable to most other dorms, correct? Am I missing something?</p>
<p>If you’re really ‘not anti-social’ and want to have a true freshman experience, you’re going to have to make some concessions. I lived in Webb (as a sophomore) and it would be an awful place to live as a freshman. It is inhabited almost entirely by sophomores. There is no social life, no floor communities. I didn’t know the names of the other people who lived on my floor. It’s also very expensive unless you live in a 4person/2bedroom/1bathroom apartment, which is what I did. It’s fine… but not for freshmen. Getting a studio apartment there as a freshman sounds like the worst idea I’ve ever heard. Webb is not a dorm. It’s an apartment building.</p>
<p>Check out the acceptance rate this year… being ‘very independent’ and taking academics ‘very seriously’ does not put you in some elite minority. You do not need a private bathroom. Everyone makes do with communal bathrooms. They’re cleaned every weekday. They’re fine. Again, you’re not unique for wanting a private bathroom; who wouldn’t want one, it’s just not worth the sacrifice, trust me. You REALLY do not need a kitchen. You’re getting a $3,000 meal plan.</p>
<p>Freshman year is the one time where everyone is looking to break out of their shell and make friends. There’s no replacement for having those 20-40 instant friends on your floor. That sort of community is such an incredibly unique experience. Just don’t live in New/North and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>You are off on the prices too! This year the semester dorm prices started around 3,700 (cheapest dorm style room-- double) and went up. </p>
<p>Webb will be different next year as it will house many more freshman than previously. Only the upper floors will be for upperclassmen. There will also be a new dining facility in the building next door (between Webb and Fluor)</p>
<p>Freshman in Webb will have a meal plan required though, and this is quite expensive when you have a full kitchen set up— something to think about. The upperclassmen have a smaller required meal plan in Webb.</p>
<p>Along with benten’s advice, there are so many USC CC threads on housing at USC-- use the search function and you can find them easily. There is a ton of student reports on them for more opinions.</p>
<p>Webb is more expensive than dorm style housing like Birnkrant, Pardee, New/North etc…</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, BandTenHut. I appreciate your honesty. I realize that at a place like USC I would not be in the minority academically, nor was I implying that I take my studies more seriously or expect any advantages because of it. I also realize that a kitchen is not a necessity; I had just noticed that most of the Webb rooms had both kitchens and bathrooms. </p>
<p>I do want a social and active freshman experience, so I suppose I’ll saw Webb for another year. I’ve also looked at Parkside, which seems nice, but I’ve also heard that is very quiet. Does anyone know anything about Fluor? It seems like a similar setup to Webb (more people though) but with a better social scene. This is a tough choice!</p>
<p>Fluor is probably a good middle ground for you. Parkside is very, very nice and more expensive (but costs don’t seem to be much of a concern for you). A lot of people become very close with their suitemates and that becomes their social group. It is all freshmen so there will be a big effort to build a community like in any dorm, but it has a bit of a reputation for being a dorm for sheltered, wealthy girls. Fluor is a bit less aristocratic and there’s more of a floor feel along with the suite aspect. It was the home of Latino floor when I was a freshman, which was a real riot when I was there.</p>
<p>You do not have to depend on hallmates for your social life. There are meeting places around campus. All sorts of clubs exist that cater to sports, cultural, service or political interests. </p>
<p>If you like fitness, but are not at the D-1 level there are many club sports from soccer to tennis. Over 80 religious groups offer social and religious events. There are spirit groups and the Trojan Marching Band. </p>
<p>In the music school there are ensembles that are open for non music majors. All of these are opportunities to meet new people and find friends.</p>