The Best Four

Ohio State Housing TELL ALL: Dorm Secrets, Sorority Life, and Off-Campus Struggles

We're kicking things off in Columbus, OH, as Laura sits down with Colleen, an Ohio State junior, to dive into everything you need to know about living at Ohio State. From the best dorms and off-campus housing options to life in a sorority house and the competitive housing scene, Colleen shares her experiences and tips on making the most of campus life. Whether you’re an incoming freshman or already a student, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you navigate college living.
In this episode, we cover:
The pros and cons of different dorms at Ohio State
Living in Seibert Hall and the experience of South Campus housing
Navigating sorority life and housing at OSU
The challenge of finding off-campus housing and why it’s so competitive
Why having multiple pockets of friends is key at a large university like Ohio State
Explore more episodes and continue the conversation on our website: https://thebestfourpod.com/
This episode is brought to you by Rambler Columbus.
Rambler Columbus (https://ramblercolumbus.com/) is a student apartment located in North Campus near The Ohio State University. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there’s something for everyone. With curated interiors and amenities including a heated rooftop pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don’t want to miss this. Use the code BESTFOUR at RamblerColumbus.com to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).

Inside West Campus Co-ops: The Alternative to Traditional UT Austin Housing

In our latest episode, Laura chats with Joseph, a UT Austin student, about his experience living in one of West Campus’ co-op houses (aka cooperative living). Never heard of the co-ops? Check out this episode to get the inside scoop on this alternate housing option near the University of Texas.
Joseph dives into what co-op living is all about, discussing the costs, the community, and the pros and cons of this alternative housing option. He breaks down who typically lives in co-ops, what daily life is like, and why it might be a great fit for some students looking for something different from the traditional dorm or apartment experience.
Plus, hear Joseph’s experience getting a last-minute dorm assignment as a freshman in UT’s Moore-Hill Hall.
In this episode, we cover:
Joseph’s experience living in Moore-Hill Hall (an on-campus dorm) as a freshman.
An introduction to co-op living in West Campus (College Houses & ICC Austin).
The costs, pros, and cons of co-op housing.
Who lives in co-ops and what daily life is like in these communities.
This episode includes discussions about mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, which may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with these issues, we encourage you to reach out to a mental health professional or contact a helpline. The University of Texas offers mental health services through Healthyhorns. If you’re in need of immediate help, call 512-471-2255 (CALL) to speak with a crisis counselor at any time. Additional resources can be found at https://healthyhorns.utexas.edu/cmhc/.
 
This podcast is sponsored by Rambler ATX and Daydreamer Cafe.
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/
Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).
Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/
Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.
 

UT Austin Housing Hacks and the Real Life West Campus Apartment Scoop: Hilltop, Quarters

In our latest episode, Laura chats with Caleb, recent graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, about his firsthand experiences transferring to UT Austin as a CAP student, studying abroad and living in West Campus apartments. Caleb dives into the details of living at Hilltop and Quarters on Cameron, offering insights into what it's really like to live in these popular student housing options.
Caleb also discusses how to choose the best part of West Campus to live in based on your lifestyle, shares tips on saving money on your apartment, and talks about finding a subleaser while studying abroad.
In this episode, we cover:
Caleb’s experience as a CAP transfer student at UT Austin
Living at Hilltop and Quarters on Cameron in West Campus
How to choose the best part of West Campus for your lifestyle
Money-saving tips for living in West Campus apartments
Finding a subletter while planning for studying abroad
This episode is brought to you by Rambler ATX and Daydreamer Cafe. 
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/ 
Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).
 
Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/ 
Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.
 

How to get ahead in the UT Austin Housing Hustle: Off-campus dorms, West Campus apartments, Locking in a House

In our latest episode, Laura chats with Anna Grace, a recent UT Austin grad and former Texas Cheerleader, about navigating the UT housing scene. Anna Grace shares her experiences and strategies for securing housing, starting with her decision to sign for an off-campus dorm, Scottish Rite Dormitory (a.k.a. SRD), even before being accepted into UT.
 
Anna Grace discusses the pros and cons of living in off-campus dorms as a freshman and provides insights into the popular choices for students who plan to rush. She also shares her roommate success stories and explains how early students are really signing for housing, including her own experience of signing a lease for her senior year house during her freshman year.
 
In this episode, we cover:
 
Living in SRD, an off-campus dorm, as a freshman
An overview of off-campus dorms
Popular housing choices for students planning to rush
Roommate success stories and tips
The reality of how early students sign up for housing
Living in West Campus apartments and a North Campus house
Life in a sorority house
 
This podcast is sponsored by Rambler ATX and Daydreamer Cafe.
 
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/ 
Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).
 
Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/ 
Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.

Freshman Housing Regrets from an Out-of-State UT Student: Life in the dorms, sorority house, and more

In our newest episode, Laura chats with Audrey Atienza, a recent UT Austin graduate, YouTuber, and Founder of The Sorority Sister, about her experience as an out-of-state student navigating the housing landscape at UT. 
Audrey candidly shares her regrets about choosing on-campus housing instead of an off-campus dorm and the highs and lows of living in a sorority house. She also offers valuable advice on finding the right roommates, the pitfalls of waiting too late to sign a lease, and the advantages of living in new developments in West Campus.
In this episode, we cover:
Audrey's experience as an out-of-state student at UT Austin
Living on-campus as a freshman and the regrets that followed
Pros and cons of living in a sorority house
Tips for finding the right roommates
Consequences of waiting too late to sign a lease
Living in new developments in West Campus
Check out Audrey’s YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@audreyatienza
 
This podcast is sponsored by Rambler ATX, Daydreamer Cafe, and The Sorority Sister.
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/
Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).
Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/
Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.
The Sorority Sister: https://thesororitysister.com/
The Sorority Sister offers online courses with videos and resources that teach you everything you need to know about every aspect of the sorority recruitment process. Use the code THEBESTFOUR for 15% off the Pre-Rush Prep Club and Rush Week Prep Course bundle.

UT Austin Housing Secrets from a Current Student and Leasing Agent: what you NEED to know

In our newest episode, Laura chats with Ava, a Junior at UT Austin, about her unique journey through college housing. Ava is both a UT student living in West Campus and a former Leasing Agent for a West Campus apartment. In this episode, she gives an insider's take on what you need to know when looking for housing near UT, including questions to ask on tours, hidden costs to consider, and more. Plus, she shares her experience living off campus as a Freshman, including roommate matching and renewing your lease. 
In this episode, we cover:
Insider tips from a leasing agent
Questions and costs to consider when choosing where to live
Living off-campus as a freshman in a West Campus apartment
Living with randomly matched roommates
Pros and cons of renewing your lease v. moving 
The benefits and challenges of renewing leases instead of moving each year.
Key questions to ask when touring apartments.
Important costs to consider when choosing off-campus housing.
Ava’s personal tips and insights for UT Austin students navigating the housing landscape.
This podcast is sponsored by Rambler ATX and Daydreamer Cafe.
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/ Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value). Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/ Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.

On-Campus Housing v. West Campus Apartments: UT Austin Junior talks dorm life, meal plans, and more [Riley | UT Austin]

In our latest episode, Laura talks to Riley, a rising Junior at UT Austin, to chat dorm life versus West Campus living from someone who's done them both. 
Riley shares his firsthand experience living in Jester Hall at UT. From the pros and cons of meal plans and roommate matching to candid discussions about communal bathrooms and the realities of laundry day, Riley offers an inside look at dorm life that every incoming freshman should hear.
Transitioning from dorms to off-campus living, Riley dives into his time residing in an apartment in West Campus. As a leasing agent at a local property, he provides invaluable insights into what it's like to live just steps away from campus. From amenities to community vibes, Riley discusses the perks and challenges of apartment living in one of Austin's most vibrant neighborhoods.
In this episode, we cover:
- Living in the dorms as a Freshman at UT Austin
- Living in a West Campus apartment
- Pros and cons of on-campus meal plans and dining halls at UT 
- Tips from a West Campus leasing agent 
 
This podcast is sponsored by Rambler ATX and Daydreamer Cafe.
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/ Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value). Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/ Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.

West Campus TELL ALL from a recent UT Austin grad: housing regrets, roommate tips, and more [Sharlene | UT Austin]

In our first episode, Laura sits down with Sharlene to dive into the ins and outs of living in West Campus near UT Austin. From living off campus as a freshman to life in a sorority house, plus roommate tips and regrets, get the inside scoop from a recent UT grad. Together, they explore the entire decision-making process and share valuable advice from Sharlene’s own college journey. Sharlene weighs the pros and cons of living with your best friend, compares the experience of apartment living versus sorority housing, and explains what a sleeping porch is.
 
In this episode, we cover:- Living in a West Campus apartment as a Freshman at UT Austin
- Living in a sorority house
- Living in a new development / new construction in West Campus
- Random roommate matching v. living with your best friend
- When to start looking for housing near UT Austin
 
This podcast is sponsored by Rambler ATX and Daydreamer Cafe. 
Rambler ATX: https://www.rambleratx.com/
Rambler ATX is a student apartment located in West Campus near UT Austin. With options ranging from studios to 6-bedroom apartments, there's something for everyone. With dreamy Tulum-inspired interiors and amenities including a resort-style pool, two-story fitness center, a dedicated study floor and more, you don't want to miss this. Use the code THEBESTFOUR to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).
Daydreamer Cafe: https://www.daydreamer.coffee/
Daydreamer Cafe serves hand crafted coffee, espresso and matcha drinks and artisan pastries. With two locations in West Campus, its the perfect spot for UT Austin students to grab a coffee or study with friends. Use code BESTFOUR10 on the Daydreamer app to get 10% off your next order.