<p>I'll be a freshman next year and I'm having a really tough time deciding between New and Birnkrant. I was awarded a Trustee Scholarship (still haven't fully realized how lucky I am) and have read about how great the social scene is at New, but also have seen numerous comments that Birnkrant has an excellent balance between socialization and studiousness. I am a little concerned with New because I love the "party" like atmosphere but also want to be able to sleep or study if I need to, Likewise, I'm also concerned that the social scene at Birnkrant, compared to New, might not be the same caliber. I really want a conventional double and would love comments on both dorms. </p>
<p>Congratulations on your scholarship @iflyplanes! My daughter was in the same position last year and chose New/North because she definitely wanted to be in a social setting and among Greeks since she wanted to join a sorority… I am not sure of the population of Greeks in Birnkrant, but New/North is heavily Greek. My daughter is on the first floor in an all-girl wing. It is not wild, she is able to study and sleep, has made wonderful friends, and absolutely loves it. </p>
<p>D is a current freshman and trustee scholar. She is a hard science major/FSH/premed but also very social and into the greek life. I was a bit concerned when she chose New/North over Birnkrant but she has managed thus far to get all A’s. To categorize Birnkrant as the “smart dorm” and New/North as the “fun dorm” is a bit misleading because all USC students are smart, and (from what I understand) Birnkrant is very social. I think it is fair to say that those students who choose to surround themselves with other top students are seeking a more intellectual environment, while I believe my daughter’s priority was to meet cute guys. I don’t think you can go wrong either way.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the input everyone, and @veritasrmc I did not get to stay in Birnkrant, but my student guide did let us check out a dorm that belonged to one of his friends in Birnkrant…after the information everyone has provided I am leaning a bit more torwards New/North, but still not sure.</p>
<p>@iflyplanes I got to stay overnight in the Birnkrant triple for the Explore session and I also got to lek into New/North, Flour, and Webb towers. From what I observed, Birnkrant is ten times cleaner and well-kept. The atmosphere is less “let’s all party with the strangers in my building” and more “Let’s all hang out as friends”. BTW, the Birkrant triple is the most spacious dorm room I’ve ever seen. Combined with all the scholar-specific activities, for me it’s a no-brainer. Hope that helps </p>
<p>My S dormed in Pardee (the oldest dorm on campus). It had a built in safe for each student and had “Great Outdoors” floor of men and one of women. They went on outings–skiing, camping, hiking, beach, and football games. He liked his dorm.</p>
<p>D dormed at lovely renovated Webb (as a transfer soph). She liked it as well. Sorry, we don’t hav experience with New, North or Kirnkrant. D also lived at Gateway as a JR; she liked it but found it a big expensive.</p>
<p>@HImom - I am glad to hear someone say something positive about Webb Towers. My D is leaning toward Webb for all of her 5 preferences… just picking various floor plan options… due to the more spacious floor plans available and its location, etc. It seems preferable to Cardinal Gardens, as it is actually on campus and close to the Schools of Dramatic Arts and Cinema Arts. Plus - I believe that my D would feel very closed-in in a traditional dorm room that does not offer an attached living room area or some extra space beyond just a bedroom and bath. I did not see a lot of floor plans online that seemed to offer the suite feel other than one floor plan that had 4 doubles attached. And 7 roommates seems a little crowded. Only Cardinal Gardens and Webb Tower seemed to have all of the features that she was looking for… I guess due to the fact that they are apartments. </p>
<p>Are there any others that she should possibly consider? Thanks…</p>
<p>I’m also leaning towards Webb, Cardinal Gardens as well as Fluor. I like these because of location (near Cinema Arts) and because I like apartments and suites better than dorms. I haven’t heard much about Fluor. It’s closer to SCA than Cardinal Gardens, but is suite style instead of apartment. </p>
<p>With roommate matching the suites can be a good option, students seem to be enough alike and enough different to make it great. My S prefers the suite, but some love the traditional dorm and all it’s openness and sharing. There really isn’t a bad choice in those you mention, just decide if you want suite or dorm. Apartment style is risky to count on as a freshman, so be flexible on that. Location can be important or not Freshman year, depends on how many classes you are taking in your major. S is engineer and didn’t take any GEs first year, so mostly in engineering buildings and it was great to be in Parkside near there for him. (Is in Parkside A&L, not IRC. A&L is super nice building, but on one end of campus.) Depending on major or if you are taking a lot of GEs your first year, you will be all over the place anyway so location as a freshman isn’t as big a deal. USC can seem large when you have 10 minutes between classes, but it isn’t a 1000 acre campus.</p>
<p>Thanks, @CADREAMIN - Yes, she’s an entering freshmen. Does it help in the process to locate a potential roomate early in the process who is seeking the same preferences? In my D’s case, she looked through all of the floor plan options and really only likes the apartments… and she also would prefer to actually be on campus. So that seems to limit the option to Webb only, as Cardinal is off-campus. </p>
<p>@whittgirlprobs - Have you actually decided on USC? and if so… have you registered with USC Housing yet? There does not actually seem to be that many who have yet…</p>
<p>Since a few have mentioned CarGar (Cardinal Gardens), unless things in housing have changed, those apartments were not available to freshmen. It has always been predominantly sophomore-housing–owned and operated by USC Housing, but very close to campus and true apartment living. There will likely be changes in store as the University Village project begins construction. FWIW, Parkside is a newer, air conditioned option with very attractive rooms. At USC, there are no really bad dorms and location and layout may be the biggest differences. It does seem to be that New/North gets a lot of Greek-hopefuls and the term “social” can be a hint that partying (and all that entails) goes on in the rooms. Not all rooms, but the first few months of freshman year is a time when some kids jump into the party scene with a lot of gusto.</p>
<p>D was in Webb as a soph transfer student. The 3 other women in her suite were also sophomores. She lived in CG with sophs the following year. </p>
<p>Frosh S lived in Pardee, Great Outdoors floor. It was a traditional older dorm but a surprise bonus was built in safe in each closet of the room. I don’t think S or RM used it, but it seemed it would be a good place to stash passport and other valuables, for a kid who doesn’t lose the key! It was a convenient location, but no AC, which made it hot in Aug. S liked having washer/dryer outside his room, one per floor. </p>
<p>@WWWard - I’m not officially committed yet, but it’s between USC and Northwestern at this point because they are both amazing schools that offer completely different things. I went ahead and registered with USC housing because the packet says it’s time-sensitive and the non-refundable deposit was only $45. Since I know it might be a week or two before I commit, I decided to go ahead and register to increase the likelihood of getting an option I like if I do end up attending. </p>
<p>@madbean -Cardinal Gardens is listed in the ‘Living at USC: Freshman’ guide that came with acceptance packets. It’s described as “…an energetic community, home to both freshman and upperclassmen…” I don’t know how many freshmen actually end up living there, but it appears to be an option. </p>
<p>Congrats, @whittgirlprobs - a great dilemma to have… choosing between USC and NU. Both are great schools. The key difference may be the lifestyle/weather… or possibly which could better serve your chosen career path post-college – L.A. vs Chicago. But either choice is solid IMO. Good Luck…</p>
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