Choosing a Roommate

[Anonymous]

Things are so different when I was in college back in the stone age. We didn't have choice of roommate. What you saw is what you got. All of my kids (presently in college and future attendees) are given a check-off list regarding likes, dislikes, etc. Where do colleges these days draw the line of what you can say no to? I am not talking about ethnic as there's absolutely no reason for that particular line.

We've been lucky with one of our kids who has the perfect roommate. A cultural learning experience for both of them and inevitably life-long friends.

My sibling has a DC heading to college this fall and posed the following question.....where do the colleges draw the line what or who you can say no to? Sibling's DC is a quiet, neat person and wants the same. I know that anything different would be a disaster.

[Anonymous]

In our experience, those roommate questionnaires are very basic, essentially asking sleep/awake hours, where you want to study, and quite v. social. There's no opportunity to "wonder where to draw the line." No question asks if you don't want a Catholic or Muslim or short or fat person. Where it's really at is the kids chat with each other (among groups of prospective freshman) on various social media and they choose a roommate on their own (so the college housing department is not making the pairing).

[Anonymous]

As the parent of a very messy DD in college, I can tell you that if she was put with someone who needed neatness it would be a disaster. I think colleges will screen for that, particularly if you ask.

[Anonymous]

Agree that its pretty basic - I don't think colleges have people poring over all the details of roommate requests - its more messy/neat, early/late bedtime, social patterns, etc. My DC did not get along particularly well with her freshman roommate but it was fine and they coexisted.

[Anonymous]

One college we visited said they administer the Myer Briggs test to decide on roommates. I thought that was interesting but wondered how they do it. A whole hall of extroverts? Or do they alternate personality types by room?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of a very messy DD in college, I can tell you that if she was put with someone who needed neatness it would be a disaster. I think colleges will screen for that, particularly if you ask.

You have better odds of winning the lotto than finding a woman in college who isn't a disgusting slob.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As the parent of a very messy DD in college, I can tell you that if she was put with someone who needed neatness it would be a disaster. I think colleges will screen for that, particularly if you ask.

You have better odds of winning the lotto than finding a woman in college who isn't a disgusting slob.

I was neat in college. I viewed my bedroom as my home, and that's where I did all my entertaining. I sometimes threw clothes on my beanbag chair but other than that everything always stayed neat, and I cleaned each Sunday. That way when someone was coming over I could have things neat within two minutes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One college we visited said they administer the Myer Briggs test to decide on roommates. I thought that was interesting but wondered how they do it. A whole hall of extroverts? Or do they alternate personality types by room?

My best housemate ever was the exact opposite Myers-Briggs personality from me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One college we visited said they administer the Myer Briggs test to decide on roommates. I thought that was interesting but wondered how they do it. A whole hall of extroverts? Or do they alternate personality types by room?

See, that wouldn't work for my kid if they put very similar people alike. She's a shy, usually introverted person who needs someone to 'pressure' (for lack of a better word) her to go out, socialize, get to know other people, etc...someone to kind of be a 'leader' and be the initator. Her frosh roommate was very outgoing and it worked well for her. Had she been with someone a lot like her (quiet, hesitant to socialize, etc.) I'm not sure she would have had as good of an experience.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't trust the school as a match maker.

https://www.roomsurf.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One college we visited said they administer the Myer Briggs test to decide on roommates. I thought that was interesting but wondered how they do it. A whole hall of extroverts? Or do they alternate personality types by room?

See, that wouldn't work for my kid if they put very similar people alike. She's a shy, usually introverted person who needs someone to 'pressure' (for lack of a better word) her to go out, socialize, get to know other people, etc...someone to kind of be a 'leader' and be the initator. Her frosh roommate was very outgoing and it worked well for her. Had she been with someone a lot like her (quiet, hesitant to socialize, etc.) I'm not sure she would have had as good of an experience.

I didn't ask whether they put like types together. If DS applies, I think. I will ask.

[Anonymous]

When filling out the roommate information, is it taboo to put you're straight? DC knows that it's possible to get a gay roommate and is okay but wants it known upfront where DC stands so there're no misunderstandings. Also, DC has totally axed having a transgender roommate. I'm not so sure if you are given a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When filling out the roommate information, is it taboo to put you're straight? DC knows that it's possible to get a gay roommate and is okay but wants it known upfront where DC stands so there're no misunderstandings. Also, DC has totally axed having a transgender roommate. I'm not so sure if you are given a choice.

Many colleges now have LGBT floors, which might reduce the odds of a straight student being paired with a gay roommate. Not only is it not taboo, but I'd say essential to communicate sexual orientation clearly - to avoid mixed signals and then leave it at that. I wouldn't be uncomfortable with a gay roommate, unless she acted in a way that made the situation uncomfortable by, for example, hitting on me.

[Anonymous]

At DD's university (and many others) the students find their own roommates through their own Facebook group questionnaire. Once they pair up, then they request each other as roommates through the school's housing survey. Some prefer to go random, but DD was not going to take that risk.

[Anonymous]

DD's friend at a Top 20 school had a roommate with some weird OCD issues who presented her with a contract to sign on their first day describing what behaviors were acceptable. Needless to say, friend ran to the RA and got out of that situation ASAP.