So I just paid the housing fee and put down New/North as my top choices because my ExploreUSC host stayed there and he suggested I do it.
I just have a few questions though:
a) The bathrooms are kinda dingy, and I’ve been told that the facilities at Parkside are the nicest on campus. That being said, is it worth compromising the social environment? There’s like a 75% chance I’ll rush, and even if I don’t I still want to be social and outgoing and go to parties.
b) What are the pros/cons of choosing Birnkrant (the scholarship dorm) vs. choosing New/North?
c) How are singles in New North? Do they get left out/are they lumped with doubles or are all the singles in the same hallway?
d) Any other general tips in terms of housing? A/C is not a massive deal for me, I can figure that out.
Thanks in advance! Fight on.
Parkside and New North are very different. You sound really social and you may enjoy a more varied environment. It is true that Birkrant is mostly scholarship/aid students, so it is a more one dimensional environment socially, mine did not want to live there for that reason. They wanted more variance in every aspect of people. Parkside is newer but is suite style, do you prefer traditional dorm? New North is definitely more of a party dorm, not sure how much is too much, hopefully students will chime in. If you choose a more social dorm like New North you may just need to find study coves in the building which frankly, mine did at any dorm they were at. They found it easier to study out of their room for serious study time. Call housing about question C, they are helpful. If your host met you, he may have had the feeling it was a good fit. Otherwise he wouldn’t have suggested it!
@blueskies2day Thanks for everything! Basically my question is can I still be relatively social at Parkside and go to parties?
So here is the deal. New North is the party dorm. Birkrant is the scholarship dorm with a certain type of vibe and quirky types maybe more into being in their room with video games than live sports is one way to describe it. Parkside is the newest dorm, super clean, A/C, bathrooms with cleaning service weekly in the suites. Parkside is on one side of the campus, so it is not in the mix of other dorms. It is not a party dorm, but it doesn’t mean you won’t go to parties. But it will not be where parties are held. USC does an amazing job matching room mates and if you want suite style you will have great friends there. But if you are looking for the most social dorm, it is NN, but the tradeoff for social is less quiet. You have to decide what you like, either are great choices. And heck you are going to USC, so all good!
Fill out the survey accurately, cause a good room mate can be more important than the exact dorm.