You might be asking for too much based on your circumstances, dorm food is not always good dieting food. You should make a decision to either get lean, or to bulk up and then get lean, trying to do both at once when you are not really in control of your diet will be almost impossible.

I tried to cut and gain at the same time. Doesn't work, you'll lose fat but muscle gains will be absolutely minimal. You best bet is to eat an excess of 500-750 calories. This way you will put on minimal fat mass in proportion to the muscle mass you will put on. This can result in a lower BF%, simply because you are gaining more muscle than fat. But losing actually fat mass and gaining muscle is near impossible. It's like stomping the brakes and flooring the gas, a lot of effort but you won't get anywhere.

Also, ECA and CLA both have nutrient partitioning effects, which would help minimize fat gain on a calorically excessive diet.

i appreciate the replies, i have heard you must first gain muscle before you can cut it. So this does make sense. thanks

i appreciate the replies, i have heard you must first gain muscle before you can cut it. So this does make sense. thanks

If you want to gain serious mass then yes, I would suggest bulking, then cutting. I'm currently trying to "maintain" muscle while cutting down to 6% BF(my goal) and that's really difficult. I guess if you at least maintain what you have then when you cut down, it makes the muscle look that much better(yes, I am captian obvious!)