<p>Hi,</p>
<p>My name is Rich, and I am an incoming transfer student for MCB, Neurosci.
I am currently 22 and will be 23 in January, and am currently figuring out housing.</p>
<p>I study a lot, so I like clean and quiet places for that. However, I don't mind going to the library to get work done.<br>
I like to go to parties and drink and smoke pot, but classes come first, always.</p>
<p>Right now, I am considering getting a single room/suite for my first year. Are there any benefits to rooming with other people? I am clean and and considerate.</p>
<p>Where should I apply for housing?</p>
<p>You’re talking on-campus (e.g., university-owned)?</p>
<p>You won’t get a single. The new Martinez Commons have a higher number of single rooms in apartments, but there will be a lot of sophomores there. Ideally you’d get a single in the Channing-Bowditch Apartments or Wada Hall Transfer Apartments (which are more social than CB). Trouble is, there are very few single rooms at CB, and I think most go to disabled students. Wada Hall is doubles and triples only (aside from RAs, who get their own rooms).</p>
<p>I’m 23 and lived in Wada last spring in a double. I thought it was great, and based on your post, you’d probably like the vibe. It’s definitely one of the more studious residence halls, but the residents do party at appropriate times of the semester. It’s an apartment–two bedrooms, a bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. Each floor has something like 6-8 apartments, and people mingle between them. At $900/month, though, its pricey. You don’t get a meal plan.</p>
<p>I’d recommend rooming with others if you want to meet people (and I’d recommend meeting people), but to get a single you’ll need to be off-campus. Find a house or apartment on Craigslist. That said, it might be worth doing Wada for a semester to meet people (I wouldn’t do CB for a semester, since it’s less social).</p>
<p>nick_scheu: thanks dude, I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Since I’m 22, would it be a bad idea to live in the dorms?</p>
<p>Also, how do I go about finding an apartment at Wada or CB? Is it considered unit 2?</p>
<p>I was 22 when i moved into one the Units at “On-campus” housing. No one cares how old you are and they generally have quiet hours after 11pm or 12am. It was a great experience that I am glad I accomplished. Note: You will probably get a triple or a double if you’re living in the Units. I was in a triple and I thought it was sooo small. They cram us in there like sardines. The doubles look very comfy. 
</p>
<p>I believe the Wada apartments are not considered “on-campus” housing, therefore you are going to have to get your fin aid adjusted for off-campus housing. It’s lame but that’s how they have it set up… You can call them and they will send you an app.</p>
<p>Okay, so I’ve done more research now.</p>
<p>Wada seems pretty cool, and if I am reading the rates correctly, it seems significantly cheaper than the other dorm housing. On the next link, is the $9114 posted for the year or per semester?
[Living</a> at Cal 2012-2013, UC Berkeley Housing](<a href=“http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/unit2_wada.html]Living”>http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/unit2_wada.html)</p>
<p>Even with a purchased meal plan, it would only come out to be $10,300-$11,300, which is less than the $12,000 - $16,000 I would be paying at other places… Am I doing my math right?</p>
<p>Edit: imnewhere, I won’t receive financial aid for this year. The family contribution ended up being like $30 less than the total cost… thanks berks.<br>
Are there any downsides to Wada? Should I choose an “on-campus” site instead?</p>