<p>Originally, I signed up for the New/North and Birnkrant dorms. The sinks in New/North were really appealing and I would love to join one of the special interest communities (Business Floor, Cinema Floor, North Residential College, New Residential College). However, seeing that the suites are not that much more expensive, I was thinking about making changes to my housing app. </p>
<p>I think Fluor Tower would be really nice to live in. But, I'm not interested in any of the three special interest communities it has. Also, I don't know how great the location is. </p>
<p>For current students, what are the benefits/drawbacks for each of these options?</p>
<p>Platinumlax, first congratulations on choosing USC!! You are going to love it here!</p>
<p>New/North does have the special interest communities for people interested in business and cinema. Fluor is also a nice option. You might also like either Parkside Suites (PKS) or the Arts and Humanities Residential College (PRB). </p>
<p>Both PKS and PRB are basicially identical, with PRB opening next year. PKS is an international community home to the majority of international students who make up roughly 12% of the undergraduate population. PRB is building with 400 residents characterized by an arts and humanities theme. It is home to the overall arts and humanities community in addition to a Music Floor and an Art and Architecture Floor. Each of these buildings has a supplemental application. </p>
<p>While dorms offer a classic college experience with a common restroom on each floor, suites offer more privacy. Suites in Fluor have common rooms and kitchens, while Parkside lacks these amenities, although the Parkside Suites are still amazing. PRB offers suites similar to Parkside but with small common rooms and kitchens on each floor. PRB and PKS, being residential colleges, are also home to faculty masters and resident faculty who organize programs at the residence halls. In addition PRB and PKS have their own study rooms, lounges, and music practice rooms.</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity...
What are the bathrooms like in the dorms? I applied for Birnkrant and Pardee tower.</p>
<p>The bathrooms are just about like any other building. You will be sharing a bathroom (several stalls, showers, sinks) with other people on your floor. At first, it might seem kind of disconcerting, but it really helps you to build a sense of community with people around you. This is especially true in Birnkrant and Pardee.</p>
<p>I enjoy living in the dorms a lot. Parkside Residential Suites are actually like mini-dorms. They don't have a common room. New/North and Birnkrant are awesome if you want to live RIGHT next to a library (which is so much more appealing when you have a huge essay due the next day) and next to a lot of food joints, like EVK and Trojan Grounds. It's also pretty close to your GE classes which you'll probably take your first semester. Flour tower, though, is by the gym if you like to work out. It also has Cafe 84 which has good eats. It's a little further from where a lot of the other freshman hang out though. Good luck :)</p>