Valley A is a great place to live for first-year students because it features suite-style living. I live in a single with 6 suitemates (2 doubles, two singles, an RA and we currently have one empty single) and it's really nice having our own space. The biggest downside is that there is no kitchen, just a common area with a couch. You do have to clean you own bathrooms and there is no air conditioning, but I don't believe any dorms at USD have AC. The laundry facility is very close by but always busy (and you have to pay to do your laundry). We have also had several thefts in the valley alone. People are also very loud past quiet hours and because of construction, it's about a 10 minute walk up the hill to get to campus and about 20-25 minutes to the other end. There are trams and golf carts though. Despite the downsides, I wouldn't live anywhere else. I would recommend viewing a dorm tour to see what Valley A looks like. The singles and doubles are VERY spacious, with huge closets and twin XL beds. The furniture is also really nice, and so is the view into the canyon if you can score a building right next to it.