<p>I am just finishing up my freshman year. There are 4 of us who wanted to live with each other. None of us got a lottery under 1000 and we didn’t want to take any chances. We opted for a 2 br, 2 bathroom apt in North Oakland (Camelot apts). We did this as soon as we came back from Christmas break. Granted, we are all local, so the process was a bit easier. It is a 12 month lease, but with the elimination of a meal plan, it is actually less expensive than 8 months in a dorm and a meal plan. My parents love the idea of not having to move me in and out! Provided all goes well, we will still there for our remaining 3 years.</p>