<p>Hi, I committed recently to USC (Go Trojans!) and I'm going to be a freshman this coming fall. My top dorm choices are:
1) International Dorm at Parkside Single 5 person
2) International Dorm at Parkside Single 7 person
3) Arts and Humanities Double WB
4) Fluor Tower - 8 person double
5) Birnkrant Double </p>
<p>I filled out the housing app really early (day after first Trustee explore I put down deposit). Do I have a realistic chance of getting a single? I heard USC favors second year returners for singles.
Also, for people who have a single, is it hard to make friends without a roommate? Lastly, how is Parkside?</p>
<p>Stevenf, we know a guy who got a single freshman year at International (single 7). He actually had a friend from HS he stayed close with and met other kids through clubs–not sure he did too much with his suitemates. It just depends. Currently my S2 is in A&H in a double but his rm and all the suite-mates are majoring in arch. They are all pretty much away at the arch studio 24/7. It’s a very quiet suite. My S is not an arch student so he gets a lot of privacy–and that can be good. But also means he has to be proactive to get together with friends.</p>
<p>Since you filled out your housing app so early, you have a very good chance to get one of the few singles.</p>
<p>Does it hurt socially when you get a single though? I’m just afraid that I won’t be able to make as good friends without the roommate experience.</p>
<p>Well… if you get a great guy as a roommate, you will have a friend for life. Plus all the friends he makes will be coming to your room so it instantly gets you more social, right? </p>
<p>For some few students, the roommate is not a perfect match. It’s a risk. Not a horrible one, but there it is. Are you pretty easygoing? Do you like to hang out with friends? Why do you think you want a single? If you are a trustee/presidential type (you mentioned putting your deposit in early) do you have the option of living in Birnkrant? If so, that would be a great option.</p>
<p>I got the Trustee but really, I want the A/C and I don’t really like sharing a room with someone. I like privacy sometimes, and I’m friendly but I would rather have a place to retire to individually. I’m just trying to weigh my options. I’m scared of not making friends, though. Is it easy to make friends with your suitemates, though?</p>
<p>Also, the International Dorm-what makes it “international”?</p>
<p>The thing about getting a single is that all the other people with singles are the kind of folks who like singles: more private, less social. You are also isolating yourself in a way because the singles are ludicrously expensive. Joe College doesn’t live in a single. Realistically if you want to live in a single in the International dorm you are looking at living with 4-6 quiet Chinese kids, but your experience could be very different. There’s no predicting these things.</p>
<p>If you’re really concerned about social life, you should live someplace like Birnkrant or Pardee.</p>
<p>Also, you don’t need the A/C.</p>
<p>Birnkrant has a few singles if you really want to apply for one, AND it’s social. Since you’re Trustee and applied early, you probably have a good shot at getting one, and you wouldn’t have to worry about making friends since Birnkrant floors are small and bond well (unless you isolate yourself).</p>