<p>yea im really interested in new/north. is it easy for your son to study?</p>
<p>^ i mean, with all of the noise (seeing as new/north are really social dorms and all)</p>
<p>It's close enough to the Leavy library so it should not be a problem if you can't study at your dorm.</p>
<p>sounds like a **** dorm if you want me to be frank from what everyone is describing..
anyone, including bmom have better suggestions?</p>
<p>Well then I'll put a plug in for Parkside, the Arts and Humanities and IRC. These by the way are not comprised of all AHs and internationals, the students are all mixed with various fields of study. Parkside seems not to be first choice with freshmen because of the perception that it's not as "social' because of the distance from the hub of things.
But students at Parkside in fact have a great balance between being very active socially and being able to work in their rooms, and as far as distance is concerned...it's no more than 10 mins walking to any part of campus, and less with a bike.</p>
<p>The suite system is great, 2 bathrooms per 5 to 8 students, the buildings are attractive and new, with nice plazas in front, Parkside cafeteria is really nice and is considered to have better food than EVK, and the buildings are air conditioned.
It's just all a really nice environment</p>
<p>AH/IRC was my D's first choice last year...after visiting, and after upperclassmen she knew advised her that Parkside offered the better living environment. She's also met freshmen whose first choice was New/North and who ended up at Parkside due to space, and who it turns out are happy they didn't get their first choices.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how Birnkrant compares to New/North in terms of the social scene? Do people party at Birnkrant?</p>
<p>Do engineering students live in the A&H Parkside?</p>
<p>yes Butterfly they do. In fact the Engineering buildings are right across from Parkside so it's very convenient.</p>
<p>Sequoia, I thought that could have been the case. My S was just accepted today for Astronautical Engineering so he thought he'd send in his housing application asap. It seems like these dorms are on the edge of the campus. How is security in the dorms?</p>
<p>What do you think about applying for a single in north or new? Is it hard to get one?</p>
<p>Butterfly, the campus is fenced all around with several entrances. Parkside is at the south west edge of campus, along Exposition Road. On the other side of that road you have the Natural History Museum and a huge rose garden, and further over along towards the east, the Science Museum. Behind all that there's the Coliseum. The whole are is called Exposition Park and is frequented by visitors and tourists, it's very safe really. The unsafe area is further south (and west) of that where no students venture, and you don't get a sense of that at all.
Behind the Parkside buildings, there's greenery and then the fence. The vehicular gate near Parkside is guarded and locked at night (as are all at USC save a main road entrance which always has a guard in the booth at all times, on the north side (Jefferson at McClintock)</p>
<p>As for the dorms themselves, they're perfectly secure and are entered from the campus side with a plaza in front. You need the USC ID card to get in, and there is a lobby with personnel. The RAs in AH and IRC are very good from what I know, and actually may be somewhat stricter in Parkside regarding partying, especially drinking, and too much noise than in some other dorms.</p>
<p>What should I choose for my five preferences (in order of first to fifth)?</p>
<p>I've heard students from Birnkrant go to New/North for partying. So if you want a dorm that is quieter than New/North, then Birnkrant is a good choice.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info. It helps a lot.</p>
<p>my friend from USC (currently she's a junior) says birnkrant is def. a great freshman dorm. if you apply for a triple, it's basically 2 doubles put together for three people so great room! also its a nice mix of social/party and work :)</p>
<p>If I choose Parkside as my choice. Do I need to submit the supplemental application?</p>
<p>The directions are kind of confusing as they say: </p>
<p>"The aim of the Residential Colleges at Parkside is to develop a community for people who are committed to improving themselves"</p>
<p>While parkside apartments are "Apartments"</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>mraoshi: For more social interaction especially for freshmen, it's best to choose either Parkside Arts and Humanities or Parkside International Residential College (IRC), which have the suites and various lounges etc, as well as the Parkside cafeteria. Freshmen do not generally choose the apartments....they are not considered part of "residential colleges" even though that building is in the same location.
Last year students did have to fill in the supp application, but the question was different...more to the effect of why you wanted to live in AH or IRC, and just a couple of sentences was fine....nothing long or involved.</p>
<p>Sequoia: So I do have to fill out the supp application even for Parkside Apartments? </p>
<p>Also, does anyone know if I can change my mind for the "Are you applying for Special Interest Housing?" I can't seem to change it.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>mraoshi, I don't know the rules about the apartments but I believe you do not have to fill out the supp. Also, make sure you check out the meal plan situation for Parkside Apartments. I believe one is required but it's not the same as for the other dorms.</p>
<p>I got told Pardee or Birnkrant if you wanted to be social and study... that came from someone who was in Pardee their freshmen year and loved it!</p>