<p>i have poked around the interwebs, and there is a lot of info on them!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usca.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usca.org/</a></p>
<p>still, i'd like more opinions on them and what living in one is like. is it a good idea for a transfer student to start of at berkeley living in a co-op? how early should i apply?</p>
<p>What's co-op? :P</p>
<p>You definitely need to check out the co-ops yourself and make a decision. My short experience at one for last summer was quite....interesting. Although, I have a higher standard of cleaniess so I didn't like it so much in terms of that.</p>
<p>Dinner time can be crazy. All the residents congregate at our courtyard, and the food disappears quickly. Then, there will be load of dishes to be done-there is <em>always</em> a load of dirty dishes at the kitchen that needs to be cleaned.</p>
<p>As for as workshifts, it was obvious some people were not doing theirs, and just checking them off.</p>
<p>completely agree with unlimitedx. if you want the option to possibly stay in a co-op, you should apply as soon as possible (although it's still very early in their selection process). HOWEVER, do NOT make a decision until you've had a chance to visit. in my honest opinion, co-ops is really cool and wonderful conceptually, awful/dreadful in practice... but then again there are plenty of folks who wouldn't dare dream to live elsewhere</p>
<p>The reason I advise to absolutely visit is that, unlike dorms, there aren't really any mechanisms to control situations. If dorm experience ranges from good-bad, co-ops can fall anywhere from great-worst experience in your life (I'm talking rip own eyes out and throw at a wall, bad). it's really hit or miss</p>
<p>i live in socal. i guess i should try to visit. when does the semester end at cal?</p>
<p>after discovering the search function, i have a more specific question - which co-ops are least heavy on the pot? i've heard ridge is good for cleanliness and relative quietness if one needs it. what other houses would be considered similar? and how are the women-only houses?</p>
<p>also, unlimitedx, what house was your experience with?</p>
<p>The rule of thumb is: smaller co-ops are cleaner, larger co-ops are dirtier and more chaotic.</p>
<p>from the description, it sounds like unlimited stayed at cloyne.</p>