The Best Four

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, host Laura talks with Julion, a senior at the University of Maryland double majoring in business management and marketing while on the pre-law track. What started as UMD being last on his college list turned into a full 180 thanks to honors housing and finding the right place to live on campus.
 
Julion shares how living in Pyon-Chen Hall all four years shaped his entire college experience, from being placed in honors and graduating debt-free to becoming a community assistant and later a resident assistant. He breaks down what makes Pyon-Chen stand out, how UMD housing is structured, and what students should actually be looking for when choosing where to live.
 
In this episode, we cover:
Why UMD was his last choice and what changed his mind completely
How the honors housing process works and what students should know about getting placed
Living in Pyon-Chen Hall: the pros, the cons, and why it’s one of UMD’s best dorms
North vs. South campus and how housing vibes change across campus
The typical UMD housing trajectory—from dorms to suites to off-campus apartments
Hacks for getting into better housing 
Why freshmen should get an on-campus job early
How to adjust to sharing a space, setting boundaries, and handle move-in smoothly
Must-have apartment amenities to look for in housing
Campus resources students should actually use 
Advice he wishes he knew sooner—and why the most important thing is remembering "to live"
Rambler College Park
Rambler College Park is a new student apartment opening near the University of Maryland in Fall 2027. With floorplan options that range from studios to five-bedrooms, there is a layout perfect for every lifestyle. Designed with Maryland students in mind, you’ll find curated interiors and next-level amenities that make everyday living feel effortless, including courtyards and a heated outdoor spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio, a dedicated study lounge, and an on-site coffee shop, Daydreamer Cafe. 
 
Daydreamer
Daydreamer Cafe is every college student's favorite coffee shop. Daydreamer offers amazing handcrafted coffee, espresso, and my personal favorite, matcha, in a beautifully designed space. Daydreamer will open on the ground floor of Rambler College Park in Fall 2027. But even sooner, you can catch a Daydreamer pop-up inside the Rambler leasing office starting Fall 2026. Be sure to follow @RamblerCollegePark on Instagram for sneak peeks and updates. 
 
Landmark
Landmark College Park is a premier student apartment located just steps from the University of Maryland. With floorplans ranging from studios to four-bedroom layouts, Landmark offers spaces designed for every kind of Maryland student. And something new is coming soon, ready for August 2026 Move-In. Get ready for a fully renovated lobby, upgraded fitness center, refreshed study spaces, and more—all designed to elevate your everyday routine. With Dunkin’ on the first floor, your daily dose of caffeine is right downstairs. Plus, with the College Park Metro Station, local restaurants, and campus hotspots just steps away, everything you need is always within reach. Use the code BESTFOUR at landmarkcollegepark.com to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).
 
 

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, Laura chats with Laurie, a senior business student at Arizona State University and a Scottsdale native. Laurie shares why she skipped the dorms freshman year, how she found her stride at ASU socially and academically, and what she learned from living everywhere from an off-campus apartment to the Greek Leadership Village and even an Airbnb.
Originally admitted as a nursing major, Laurie opens up about switching to business, rushing Alpha Phi, and working her way up to VP of Recruitment. She also breaks down her full housing journey at ASU, from her first year in the District at Apache to the pros and cons of living in Apollo, GLV, and a senior-year Airbnb house. Along the way, she gives candid advice on making friends, navigating recruitment, and choosing the right housing timeline.
In this episode, we cover:
The dorm setup at ASU and why she decided to skip them
Her freshman year at District at Apache: the good, the bad, and the reality vs. online photos
How to find roommates as a freshman using ASU Snapchat/Instagram groups—and what to say in that first DM
Making friends freshman year and her take on dorms vs. apartments
What it’s like going through ASU sorority recruitment and her advice as Alpha Phi’s VP of Recruitment
The pros and cons of new-build apartments, why you need to sign early, and her biggest regret about housing
Her sophomore year at Apollo and why it didn’t live up to expectations
Why the GLV was her favorite housing experience, how she got her own room, and what it’s like living with 30 sorority sisters
Her Airbnb hack for finding a house senior year, and the trade-offs between apartments and houses
Her biggest piece of advice for freshmen starting at ASU 
This episode is brought to you by Rambler Tempe.  
Rambler Tempe (https://ramblertempe.com) is a student apartment just steps away from ASU. With options ranging from studios to 4-bedroom apartments, there’s a layout for every lifestyle. Thoughtfully designed with ASU students in mind, Rambler offers curated interiors and elevated amenities—including two pool decks, cold plunges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dedicated study lounge, an on-site coffee shop and more. Rambler also gives larger groups the option to lease nearby units on the same floor and create their own neighborhood, making it easy to live just steps from all of your best friends while still enjoying the comfort of your own apartment. Use the code BESTFOUR at ramblertempe.com to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, host Laura talks with Sofi, a junior and first-generation college student at Arizona State University student from the Bay Area. From navigating her college transition solo to documenting it all on TikTok, Sofi shares what it’s really like to figure things out as you go.
She covers everything—from the ASU housing portal and move-in prep to what it’s like living in a social dorm like Hassayampa, dealing with not-so-great roommates in an off-campus luxury apartment, and why she wishes more students knew how early you need to start looking for housing.
In this episode, we cover:
Advice for first generation college students
Everything to know about freshman year – FAQs, saying yes to everything, dorm essentials and her top tips to incoming freshmen
Talks through the housing portal and what students need to do and and why they need to do it early
How she found roommates and friends before even starting college
Dorm life at Hassay
Why she became a content creator for college advice
Living at Park Place: roommate issues, what went wrong, and why research matters
Tips for time management, scholarships, and staying true to yourself in college
This episode is brought to you by Rambler Tempe.  
Rambler Tempe (https://ramblertempe.com) is a student apartment just steps away from ASU. With options ranging from studios to 4-bedroom apartments, there’s a layout for every lifestyle. Thoughtfully designed with ASU students in mind, Rambler offers curated interiors and elevated amenities—including two pool decks, cold plunges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dedicated study lounge, an on-site coffee shop and more. Rambler also gives larger groups the option to lease nearby units on the same floor and create their own neighborhood, making it easy to live just steps from all of your best friends while still enjoying the comfort of your own apartment. Use the code BESTFOUR at ramblertempe.com to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, host Laura sits down with Ashton, a senior at Arizona State University majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Originally from Allen, Texas, Ashton dives into her experience navigating ASU’s multiple campuses, making big housing decisions, and learning how to advocate for herself along the way.
From switching majors just to live on the Tempe campus to dealing with a toxic roommate situation and finding her people in the Greek Leadership Village (GLV), Ashton shares it all. 
In this episode, we cover:
Why she changed her major just to move to a different ASU campus and how it paid off
Pros and cons of dorms like Manzanita, Palo Verde, San Pablo and Best Hall
What to do if you’re in a tough roommate situation and why speaking up matters
What living in the GLV is really like (including sharing a bathroom with 15+ girls)
Why she chose a house over an apartment and what students often overlook when picking housing
Whether or not you need a car in Tempe
Advice to other out-of-state students attending ASU
This episode is brought to you by Rambler Tempe.  
Rambler Tempe (https://ramblertempe.com) is a student apartment just steps away from ASU. With options ranging from studios to 4-bedroom apartments, there’s a layout for every lifestyle. Thoughtfully designed with ASU students in mind, Rambler offers curated interiors and elevated amenities—including two pool decks, cold plunges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dedicated study lounge, an on-site coffee shop and more. Rambler also gives larger groups the option to lease nearby units on the same floor and create their own neighborhood, making it easy to live just steps from all of your best friends while still enjoying the comfort of your own apartment. Use the code BESTFOUR at ramblertempe.com to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value).

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, host Laura sits down with Alli, a junior at Arizona State University and president of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega. A Scottsdale native, Alli shares what it’s like to stay close to home for college, and how her housing experience shaped her college journey.
From navigating ASU’s housing portal as a business student to living in the social hub of Hassayampa (Hassay) her freshman year, Alli offers a detailed look at dorm life, Greek housing in the unique GLV setup, and her transition to apartment living at The Carmin. She also opens up about roommate matching, budgeting tips, and what she wishes she’d known earlier.
In this episode, we cover:
What to expect from the ASU dorm selection process (and why it’s confusing)
The pros and cons of where she’s lived: Hassay, the Greek Leadership Village (GLV) and The Carmin
What Alli learned from dealing with dorm maintenance issues and navigating move-in stress
Which neighborhoods ASU students typically live (Apache vs Mill)
How she chose her apartment off-campus and why she’s heading back to the GLV her senior year
Advice for incoming freshmen on getting involved, managing money, and finding the right roommates
 
This episode is brought to you by Rambler Tempe.  
Rambler Tempe (https://ramblertempe.com) is a student apartment just steps away from ASU. With options ranging from studios to 4-bedroom apartments, there’s a layout for every lifestyle. Thoughtfully designed with ASU students in mind, Rambler offers curated interiors and elevated amenities—including two pool decks, cold plunges, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a dedicated study lounge, an on-site coffee shop and more. Rambler also gives larger groups the option to lease nearby units on the same floor and create their own neighborhood, making it easy to live just steps from all of your best friends while still enjoying the comfort of your own apartment. Use the code BESTFOUR at ramblertempe.com to waive your application fee when you sign a lease (a $50 value). 

In the final episode of The Best Four Season 2, Laura sits down with Cat, an Ohio State senior and Columbus native, to discuss her journey navigating housing at Ohio State. From living in Blackburn House as a freshman in the Business Scholars program to moving into Scott House as a sophomore, and eventually into an off-campus apartment, Cat shares valuable insights on dorm life, the highly competitive lottery system, and her reasons for choosing to live off-campus. She also dives into the culture differences between North and South Campus, the pros and cons of scholars programs, and how to balance college life.
In this episode, we cover:
Navigating the dorm lottery: how to get the best dorms at Ohio State
The perks of joining Ohio State Scholars Programs 
Blackburn House, Scott House, and life in a North Campus apartment
Why Cat chose to live in an off-campus apartment and her tips for securing one 
The competitive housing scene at 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).

In this episode of The Best Four Podcast, host Laura sits down with Ben, a junior at The Ohio State University and a student-athlete on the men’s volleyball team. Ben shares his journey from being recruited by Ohio State to his experiences living with teammates, both on and off campus. From his freshman year living in Lawrence Tower on North Campus (a dorm repurposed from a hotel) to an off-campus house near South Campus. 
Ben dives into the challenges of balancing life as a student-athlete, the pros and cons of living in various dorms and housing options, and his advice for incoming freshmen. They also chat about the culture on North vs. South campus, what it’s like living with eight housemates, and the realities of Columbus student housing.
In this episode, we cover:
Living in North Campus vs. South Campus dorms: the major differences
The perks and challenges of living with fellow athletes
Tips for finding off-campus housing and why it's so competitive
Dorm options for Ohio State freshmen and sophomores
Ben’s experience as a student-athlete at 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).

In this episode of The Best Four, Laura sits down with Brenna, a senior at Ohio State University, to discuss everything you need to know about living on campus and beyond. From her experiences in South Campus dorms (Park-Stradley Hall) to living in her sorority house and finally landing a coveted off-campus house, Brenna shares practical tips and advice for navigating the competitive housing scene at Ohio State.
In this episode, we cover:
South Campus vs. North Campus dorms: where to live and what to expect
Life in a sorority house at Ohio State and how to get a spot
The competitive nature of off-campus housing and tips for landing the perfect house
Dorm rankings and why South Campus dorms might be worth it, even without AC!
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).

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).

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.