<p>I am having a difficult time numbering my preferences for the Resident Halls on the survey we are supposed to fill out. Anyone care to tell me a few pros and cons of some of the Halls? I am completely lost :[</p>
<p>i;m planning on residing in FT (santa catalina) cause it houses 1/3 of all freshmen</p>
<p>Same here.</p>
<p>That is what I am putting for my number one. I liked the two suits, one bathroom and that it had a mini workout facility. I'm not sure how tough the mile bike ride to the campus is going to be but I'm optimistic. Besides, I heard that it's nice to go home and just be off campus and away from things.</p>
<p>But as for as 2-7 choices I don't know :[</p>
<p>Check out this topic:</p>
<p>helppppppppp</p>
<p>which is the best dorm for transfer student at UCSB???</p>
<p>Hayko, </p>
<p>Are you sure you want to live in a dorm as a third year? I transferred here this year and live in university apartments. i am so thankful I didn’t get into the dorms, because they are tiny compared to apartments. Apartments are still fully furnished and come with a living room and kitchen. I think they’re cheaper too! Here is Santa Ynez, university owned apartments, which is a popular option for transfer students:</p>
<p>I thought about it a lot and decided one of the shorties is the best for me because of how social they are and how close to campus and the beach. I think it would be a really good atmosphere for me, but I have NO IDEA which one to choose. What’s the difference?? I saw on the website Santa Cruz is substance free next year so screw that but anyone have any info on annacapa vs Santa Rosa?? Also anyone know how far they are from IV?</p>
<p>Aucsbstudent, </p>
<p>Thank you so much
I have know idea whats the difference between dorms and university’s apartment. Who do you live with? I want to live at dorms cuz i heard it includes meal in it. If i stay in apartment i am sure i wont survive there too long lol, this is my number 8188788080 txt me and give me some advise if u want, or just respond me here</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>Hayko, </p>
<p>I can’t praise an apartment over a dorm enough, if you’re a third year or higher. Dorms are just too cramped to my liking. Apartments, on the other hand, offer a living room, kitchen, and bathroom(s). It’s far more comfortable, and you can still purchase a meal plan. Let’s say you live in Santa Ynez, you pay $501/month, and 14 meals for the whole quarter is $1,532. You can get either 5, 10, 14, or unlimited, whether you live on or off campus. </p>
<p>I’ll write a full length review of it soon and post in here on cc</p>
<p>I might be a third year transfer in fall, and while I considered the apartments at first, wouldn’t it be a worthwhile compromise to live in the dorms, and not have to travel so far to campus?</p>
<p>How do you get to campus aucsbstudent? How long does it take you?</p>
<p>I’ll share my experiences of the UCSB housing and campus situation for those incoming students trying to make a decision on housing. I’ve walked and driven around the campus a lot over the last 4-5 years as 2 of my kids have attended. Before I start, don’t bring a car for year 1.</p>
<p>There are really 3 choices in dorms: the 3 shorties, FT, and the two on campus towers. Both of my kids chose the shorties on their forms, but one got put in the two campus towers. After much stress over getting the “right” dorm, they were both more than happy with what they got and realized it didn’t matter as much as they thought.</p>
<p>The shorties have a higher likelyhood of becoming a triple, and there are more and more triples happening. The shorties and the two towers are so close in proximity, that there isn’t a real difference in how close you are to your classes. The two towers seem a little older and have elevator access. This area of the shorty and tower dorms and cafeterias is on the quiet edge of campus (away from IV), so you aren’t really in the middle of the campus chaos. These dorms are a 5 minute walk to the beach, the lagoon trails, the library, the university center, and most classrooms (ten minutes to the farthest classes like the IV theater). A bike gets you there in 1-3 minutes. When it rains, or is really cold, its nice to walk rather than bike. One of my kids only used the bike to go to IV and beyond, and the other kid only brought a skateboard. Remember that taking a bike means finding a bike rack near your class, locking the bike, going to class, finding your bike after class, and unlocking the bike all at the same time every other student bike rider is doing the same thing. It also means carrying and securing things like books, computers, and other supplies to yourself or the bike.</p>
<p>FT is off campus about a mile. Most kids that go there seem fine with their choice. Even though it is away from campus, it isn’t like your getting away from the college chaos. There are a lot of students crammed into what looks like a high rise hotel. A plus would be that you are halfway to the shopping center that has Costco, Best Buy, Movie theaters, Farmers Market, and many decent eateries. While walking is an option, it might be 25-30 minutes to some parts of campus, so bikes are the choice of nearly all FT residents. If you aren’t into riding a bike (and that means keeping a bike in working shape) every time you want to get to campus, no matter what the weather is bringing, don’t choose FT. And you will have a bicycle collision at some point in your stay, because there are more bikes than you can believe. Yes, you can walk, and yes there are busses, but you may not want to be held to those options over a full year (The busses are packed on those days where the weather is bad). The FT towers are about as close to the heart of IV as the campus dorms, maybe a little closer. The dining halls at FT have a good reputation as far as I have heard.</p>
<p>So, in summary, The shorties and two towers are best for those that like to have the campus amenities and the beach close by, and aren’t 100% sure of their biking ability or desire. FT gets you off campus and closer to off campus city amenities, and requires biking ability and desire. Sharing bathrooms and living space are part of the next 4 years anyway so don’t let that be the major factor in choosing a dorm.</p>
<p>Year 2 you should be looking to get out of the dorms. You need to start looking for rentals in January. I would advise any transfer student to look for non-dorm housing as well. The university apartments, non-university apartments and the houses are plentiful. The location in IV will determine how quiet or loud your situation will be. The further from the college and the ocean, the quieter.</p>
<p>@Californiandreamn- Regarding your one child who got a tower, do you by any chance remember where that choice was on his/her list?</p>
<p>@California: Thank you so much for the thorough post. It’s quite helpful.</p>
<p>“Regarding your one child who got a tower, do you by any chance remember where that choice was on his/her list?”</p>
<p>No, but I would say it was either the last choice or not even on the list. Several of his friends got into the shorties and he was disappointed at first. But he really ended up enjoying his time on the 8th floor with the lagoon and ocean view.</p>
<p>They’re trying to phase out the name FT. They want to use Santa Catalina in order to match the other dorms.</p>
<p>“They’re trying to phase out the name FT. They want to use Santa Catalina in order to match the other dorms.”</p>
<p>It might also have something to do with the nickname F*** Towers.</p>
<p>Anyways, what is Trop Gardens like? It seems to have a reputation as party dorms, and I’m concerned that I won’t get quiet study time.</p>
<p>FSSP - My daughter has a double room and she has just received notice that she will have a 3rd student in a room for two in the San Nicolas dorm. How crowded will it be? How do you share two closets? Can anything be done?</p>
<p>jesecue: Did you D get a triple just for the FSSP or for the whole year? I’m frankly very surprised they are tripling in San Nicholas.</p>
<p>S is starting this fall. Really hoping he doesn’t get tripled. Rumor had it that the chances of being tripled were very small in San Miguel and San Nicholas towers. It’s my understanding that UCSB is over registered this year - more applicants SIR’d than their admissions algorithm predicted.</p>
<p>On another note…H and I spend some time scoping out the housing in Isla Vista. OMG! I am floored by the pricing. We checked out one of the new buildings in IV. They rent BY THE BED - not the room. So, they will put up to 4 students into a studio and charge $750 PER BED. That’s 3k for a studio! Up to 8 students into a 2 BR at $1100/bed - that’s 8.8K for a 2BR apartment. And, these are 12 month leases! We spoke with one student living on Del Playa in a 5 bedroom house - with 10 (!) roommates. Their monthly rent was 7.5K not including any utilities. I can’t imagine the nightmare of trying to manage 10 roomies…she mentioned that rent collection was a monthly battle. </p>
<p>D is currently in a college further ‘up the road’ and her off campus housing is about 1/2 of IV with a much lower student/bedroom density. I am in sticker shock. Good thing that UCSB guarantees 4 years of campus housing if the student lives on campus the first 2 years. </p>
<p>I’m wondering how many students choose to bypass IV and move to the Goleta side of things. It’s still only a bike ride away.</p>
<p>dietz199, 2 student per room has been the standard for years. Perhaps someday UCSB will make the move that UCLA did over the last 10-15 years, building enough on-campus housing to provide it for everyone that wants it. Relatively few students choose to move to Goleta because its just not the same. While kinda possible to take the bus or bike from Goleta, its different than having your friends or the campus be just down the road. </p>
<p>Another fun thing is that the premier apts, those with an ocean view, tend to stay “in the family” so to speak for years. With a group of friends ensconced in a Del Playa ocean-view apt, friends and siblings of those living there tend to move in as kids graduate and move out. While there are opening for 1 or 2 new people, it can be hard for a group of 3+ friends to find an apt there. </p>
<p>As for UCSB being over-registered, that is a surprise to me. MsSun posted that UCSB was encouraging appeals, which I took as a sign they didn’t get as many students as they expected.</p>