<p>the cheapest? Are there any caveats to choosing this option?</p>
<p>A lofted triple is when three people live in a room originally designed for two. That is why it's the cheapest. Another advantage is that you as start the school year with two roommates, your social network is vastly increased. The caveat is that you will have less space. Although, as you can see at <a href="http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/reslife/firstyear/lofttriples.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/reslife/firstyear/lofttriples.pdf</a> the furniture allows for all students to fit comfortably. In addition, Brandeis students are so active that it will be rare for all to be in the same room at the same time.</p>
<p>Sulsk, if a "lofted" room is for triples, then how come they have another option stating "i agree to pay $5313 for any space in a multiple occupancy(double, triple, or quadruple) room in Massell or North"? The lofted room option costs $4517. My question is that how come in the second option, it also says double, triple, or quadruple rooming?</p>
<p>There are natural triples, aka rooms that were meant to hold three people. They're actually two rooms: a living/studying space and a sleeping space. So those cost the same as a normal double because, supposedly, there's the same amount of space/person. But they're much different than a lofted triple where there is less space/person which is why the lofted costs less money.</p>
<p>We aren't supposed to choose a housing option, are we? If we are a midyear, there is nothing we're supposed to do additional, is there? </p>
<p>Where are midyears usually housed? Are these singles/doubles/triples/lofted triples, etc..</p>
<p>Also, what meal plan would people recommend for a Frosh?</p>
<p>I'm nearly certain you will live in Renfield next year, which will be closed for renovation during the fall semester. For the past two years, midyears have been housed in the dorm closed for renovation the previous semester (the renovation project to all freshman dorms is the main reason why we have a midyear program.) There are no natural triples in Renfield (which is in Massell Quad), so you will either be in doubles or lofted triples or (a quad, a room designed for 4 people- I know of at least one of those in Renfield). Freshman don't get singles unless you need it for medical reasons.</p>
<p>It always seemed logical to me that since in a lofted triple (aka "forced," "unnatural") you only get 2/3 the space, you should pay 2/3 the cost of a regular double. But what do I know?</p>
<p>Anyway, I was in one of those lofted triples, not by choice. It was pretty cramped even though it was in a freshman dorm with (just barely) the largest rooms. I wouldn't recommend it because the approx. $800 you save is tiny compared to the overall costs for the year, probably over 40 G's. And two roommates means you're twice as likely to get sexiled from your room.</p>
<p>I'm confused. On the housing application do I circle my choice? It only gives checkboxes for the meal plans...</p>
<p>DO NOT choose lofted triple, a double is ALWAYS better. Sulsk don't even try to put a positive spin on it and mislead these freshmen! If you get stuck with a lofted triple you have a LOT more adjustments to make. You are in a tiny ass space with two other roommates. Even if your roomies are wonderful, the living situation is still more difficult.</p>
<p>It's not like you can choose anyway, so sulsk giving a better spin on it is comforting to those who end up with one.</p>
<p>the lofted triple is definitely cramped, i'm not going to lie. not unbearable, but pretty cramped. there isn't any spare room. having two roommates does give you double the chance of getting a roommate you really click with, though. (or double the chance of a bad roommate... you can look at this either way, i suppose) there's no point in worrying about it now though, since you can't choose... just wait and see what happens.</p>
<p>apparently, they are now giving you a choice, and I think it's only logical b/c there may be some for whom the difference in price is that so it can make things easier for their families.</p>
<p>You have no choice. Read the hard-copy license again.</p>
<p>What meal plan to you guys recommend? I'm between the 21 and the 14 with $20. I'm not sure if I'd be eating breakfast at the cafeteria. Although, not going to the dining hall would make it harder to meet people, so I'm missing a social opportunity of I go with the 14.</p>
<p>I'm not really concerned with price. Its only a 300 dollar difference...</p>
<p>I don't think you'd be missing out on a social opportunity by missing breakfast. Most people I know don't eat breakfast, and freshman year almost no one I know ate breakfast. A lot of my friends just bought a box of cereal or breakfast bars.</p>
<p>I'd go with the 14. Sometimes you'll feel like ordering in, eating Easy Mac, skipping a dinner, whatever, so 21 isn't always great. And missing breakfast does not equal missing social time. People are barely awake then anyway.</p>
<p>i would also suggest the 10 meals/400 points. i found that points came in very handy, especially for the C-store, which has a lot of good (and sometimes healthier) options. also, you can still eat in the dining hall with your friends, since there's a microwave right outside the c-store : ) a lot of people that i knew that had the 14 or 21 meal-plans wished that they had points.</p>
<p>and yes - don't worry about missing social opportunities by skipping breakfast. hardly anyone goes, and the people that i knew that DID go went alone, purposely (for the early morning peace and quiet). i myself went once or twice only!</p>
<p>my daughter is going to be a community advisor this year at brandeis (what most schools refer to as RA's) she told me that the midyears will be housed in Renfield Hall in Massell Quad, which will be renovated during the first semester this school year. It is an excellent hall and she absolutely loves it being as she lived there her freshman year at Brandeis!</p>
<p>how do you CHOOSE the housing option? circle it?></p>
<p>You can't choose. Anyway.. they're mailing out housing assignments today so it'd be too late anyway.</p>