<p>Question to accepted freshman- how exactly does the housing system work? I was accepted yesterday and have been on the online system, however I can't get past the "Rooms" category.</p>
<p>How does this work? I was hoping I could submit my app really quickly, so I could get into my dorm of choice (Birnkrant). However I can't get past the "Rooms" section (haven't chosen a roommate). Here is what it says once you fill out all the initial stuff:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Your application has been received by USC Housing.
Applicants will be assigned spaces by USC Housing and notified via e-mail that their assignment is now on line and ready for review based on timelines listed in our literature and available on-line. This applies to all new and transfer students as well as returning students through USC Housing Renewal that have applied for Family, and Graduate Housing.
All others participating in USC Housing Renewal will be notified of their selection and contracting period (determined by lottery) and will be allowed to self select and contract available spaces at that assigned time.
Once notified please return to this application and proceed to the Rooms section in step 6.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>So I guess we just have to wait for emails? The word "lottery" ticks me off, since I was hoping it would be first-come-first-serve. Does anyone know what "timelines" they refer to?</p>
<p>PS: Be sure to fill out something in your profile when you apply into the roommate system. I have like 30 people on my "match" list and only 3 or 4 actually have a description.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure that they take into account who signed up first.</p>
<p>Yeah, upon rereading it, I took note of the fact that they said “lottery” involving “housing renewal” people, which doesn’t involve us. First-come-first-serve it is.</p>
<p>just curious what was everyone’s housing preference order?</p>
<ol>
<li>Birnkrant Triple</li>
<li>Parkside Apts. Single</li>
<li>New Single w/ sink</li>
<li>Parkside Apts. Double</li>
<li>Parkside A&H Double w/ Bath</li>
</ol>
<p>(Parkside is close to Watt Hall, where the architecture classes are)</p>
<p>oh hm never thought about class location =/ should probably figure that out. I think my order was
- birnkrant triple
- birnkrant double
- new double
- new single
- new double with sink</p>
<p>I decided I could live without a sink in the room. I really like the birnkrant triples though 
don’t know if I applied early enough to get one =/</p>
<p>When do you choose a dorm mate? I have a friend applying to USC (I just got accepted) and I want to request him for a roommate, but I don’t know if he’s in yet. I don’t want to wait because I want a good building.</p>
<p>Umm I dont know if you can request him yet since he doesn’t know if he’s even in yet. But if he is, you fill out the housing form, pay $45, and then you fill out the roommate request form. You need his usc id I think to do that.</p>
<p>But remember if you request him, your priority is the average between you guy’s apply date. So if he applies really late, you’re not going to be as high of a priority</p>
<p>What is A&H with bath? Does it mean that each dorm includes its own bathroom?</p>
<p>I’d like to apply for the Birnkrant triples, but I’m afraid that I won’t get in (they are snatched up quickly) and then Birnkrant doubles will be my second choice, not my first. Will that put me at a disadvantage compared to people who put Birnkrant doubles as their first choice? I wonder. I really would like to get into Birnkrant.</p>
<p>@TrojAndrew: When you file your housing application (housing.usc.edu) one of the steps is “roommate”. You get a list of possible matches based on your preferences (noise level, interests, etc). You can also search for somebody based on their personal information (like their name). Once your friend applies for housing you should be able to find him that way.</p>
<p>@yipyip: A&H with bath is a double with a bathroom. Unlike most of the other rooms in A&H, the double with bath isn’t a suite. There aren’t a lot of them and they were mainly made for RAs, but they are extra rooms! It’s just a room (that fits two beds) with a bathroom.</p>
<p>@berk104: It won’t put you at a disadvantage. They’ll still consider the date you submitted your housing application and put you where the first available preference you listed is.</p>
<p>The most important thing for me is to have my own bathroom (with my roomate obviously). Is it better to have A&H with bath or Parkside Apartment, which includes a bathroom in every dorm?</p>
<p>Depends on what you like! They’re both similar and they’re both in the Parkside area. A&H is newer and probably more expensive - you’re required to buy a meal plan as well and there’s air conditioning. Parkside apartments, I believe, requires you to buy a small meal plan and there’s no air conditioning, just a heater. Also, Parkside apartments have really small bathrooms as opposed to A&H - their bathrooms are quite spacious.</p>
<ol>
<li>Birnkrant Double</li>
<li>Birnkrant Triple</li>
<li>Birnkrant Single</li>
<li>International Residential College 8 Person Suite</li>
<li>International Residential College 7 Person Suite</li>
</ol>
<p>just changed my preferences to
- Birnkrant Triple
- New Single w/ Sink
- Birnkrant Double
- Parkside IRC 7P Single
- Parkside A&H Double w/ Bath
^ Parkside since its close to Watt Hall where the arch stuff is</p>
<p>I signed up on 2/02 so hopefully i get my top choices.</p>
<p>Question though: If someone requests me and they signed up later than me, are our times averaged?</p>
<p>^ If some requests you and you accept, the dates are averaged. You do not have to accept someone who requests you.</p>
<p>Thanks, alamemom.</p>
<p>Now… thoughts on rooming with someone that’s a high match to you or just letting usc pick for you - Do i want to keep my place in line, or do i want to room with someone i’m compatible with?</p>
<p>That depends on if you have strong preference for WHERE you want to live. If you really want a particular dorm, you better keep your place in line. If you don’t really have a strong preference, go with the roommate that is most compatible.</p>
<p>yeah I believe your times are averaged. And wow how did you find out your decision so early in order to apply for housing by feb?</p>
<p>I want a birnkrant triple but I have a feeling mid March is too late =/</p>
<p>After section 9, I cannot keep going on. I can’t go to Confirmation Payment and Meal Plan. how come? I already paid…</p>