Birnkrant, McCarthy, or New/North!? Tell me everything you know about them-- and pls be honest!
There have been a lot of conversations on this, here is one.
With my first, I was sure that no one could really want to live in a traditional dorm without AC and a community bathroom at the end of the hall if they had other options like suites with AC. As a parent, I figured that would be way too “rough or primitive” for mine. Wow, was I wrong. Now having had four in college, I have experienced so many different options and completely reversed my original thinking.
My current freshman absolutely loves Birkrant, chose it over McCarthy, didn’t want the suite or apartment style - saw the drama her sister had in those and didn’t want to be so closed off, she wanted a social experience that was still academic oriented. Her goal was to meet as many people as possible, but not be in a crazy party environment - just fun and social, Birkrant gave her that. Everyone you talk to in that area is a freshman so you meet many people just going to get coffee at the Starbucks in the bottom of Birkrant or sitting at outside tables. All the tower buildings in the freshman quad are pretty equivalent. Sophomores get priority enrollment for housing and the majority of the Village is sophomores, so she will live there next year. That way she experiences both kinds of living.
A lot of students looove New North - it is definitely known as the “more fun” dorm (i.e., party dorm). A lot of Greek hopefuls live there. Then there are students that love McCarthy because it is shiny and new, they are all suite or apartment style - so if you like that, there ya go.
You have to remember virtually everyone at USC these days is bringing in fantastic scores and grades, so even a “party dorm” is full of great students that are there to work and have fun. This isn’t the days of Animal House, this is USC - a school full of excelling students bringing in 4.0s from high school. You can’t go wrong, so pick the one with attributes you think are important to you. You students know what is important to you and it is often different than what us parents think is important, so I now try to listen to what the kids are saying. You might gather other student opinions on sites like reddit.
My son is hoping for McCarthy – likes the suites, and wants A/C lol.
My son lives in McCarthy and loves it. The building is new and modern. The proximity to all the Village amenities can’t be beat. He will be in another dorm in the Village again next year.
Which freshman dorm is most similar to Birkrant (in terms of fun, social, studious mix. Not party city)?
@TeamK2 Pardee, Marks Tower are most similar to Birnkrant, socially and academic/party balance. Was just there this weekend and very familiar with the dorms, this is my third at USC, but mainly know cause I ask my students about them! 
In the freshman quad and just across the street from the Village so excellent location. Parkside is suite style and very nice, a bit less social cause of suites and is on the other side of campus off to itself a bit. But known to have the best food!
You can list different configurations in the same building to use spots - I understand the triple at Birnkrant is huge, but not sure if you want to deal with an additional room mate.