You and your friend may not be admitted or receive adequate financial aid at the same schools, and it might be wise to part ways. But as you approach the big transition ahead, try to keep your mind—and perhaps some closet space—open to someone new.
Sally Rubenstone knows the competitive and often convoluted college admission process inside out: From the first time the topic of college comes up at the dinner table until the last duffel bag is unloaded on a dorm room floor.
Sally has viewed the admissions world from many angles: As a Smith College admission counselor for 15 years, an independent college counselor serving students from a wide range of backgrounds and the author of College Confidential's "Ask the Dean" column. She also taught language arts, social studies, study skills and test preparation in 10 schools, including American international schools in London, Paris, Geneva, Athens and Tel Aviv.
As senior advisor to College Confidential since , Sally has helped hundreds of students and parents navigate the college admissions maze. In , she co-founded College Karma, a private college consulting firm, with her College Confidential colleague Dave Berry, and she continues to serve as a College Confidential advisor.
Sally and her husband, Chris Petrides, became first-time parents in at the ripe-old age of So Sally was nearly an official senior citizen when her son Jack began the college selection process, and when she was finally able to practice what she had preached for more than three decades.
However, opinions of third parties are their own, and no fact checking is possible. The content on CollegeData. We recommend that you refrain from acting or not acting on the basis of any content contained on CollegeData. We will not be liable for the content on CollegeData. Share: Whether you plan to live in the dorms or off-campus, roommates can play a big part in your college life. How to find a College Roommate Your college may assign you a roommate based on your answers to a housing questionnaire, or let you find your own.
If your idea of clothing storage is the floor, say so. Nothing drives two sane people crazier than putting up with each other's idea of order. Environment and sleep.
If you like being around high-energy people and loud music, make that clear. If you crave quiet and eight hours of sleep a night, admit it up front. If you have this habit—or cannot tolerate it in others—admit it. Same goes for your attitudes about drug and alcohol use and partying in general. Personal interests. Users on these sites answer a questionnaire and match with people who answered similarly.
From there, students can contact each other. So, why partake in a self-directed roommate search? Simply, the presentation is organic. For the same reason employers look at social media sites to vet applicants, students can decide whether someone is a suitable roommate based on how they present themselves on social media.
It's also good to know that finding roommates on social media can limit you to people of similar geographic areas or mutual connections. Unless you are actively looking for only an international student or someone from across the country, you may not know that these people are out there.
Social media sites like Facebook often suggest friends based on mutual connections, so your network of choices might not extend far enough to include the diversity you want.
By the time fall rolls around, roommate searches and housing situations are obsolete in the broader scope of opportunity and excitement that college brings. Take the time to do your research, enjoy the process, and get excited to meet peers who are as bright and driven as you are. Related: Strangers or Squad? Join the CollegeXpress community! Tags: choosing a roommate college roommates dorms finding a roommate living on campus picking a roommate roommates social media themed housing.
CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit. CollegeXpress helped open me up to many colleges that fit my interests. It's a great website that I'll continue to use until it comes time for me to apply for colleges. I also like that it notifies me through email with options to look at. Thanks CX! Talk to your roommate. Before you do anything drastic, talk to your roommate diplomatically and respectfully about your concerns.
Your roommate could very well be surprised to learn that the habit bothered you at all. If the problem persists, talk to your residential assistant. Some schools encourage roommate counseling to instill patience and tolerance before they will recommend you for a room change.
Mark your territory. Before you split the room down the middle with duct tape, talk to your roommate about your expectations and your comfort level. Be respectful but firm with your roommate. When is it time to move out or request a new roommate? How do I change roommates? How do I pick the right roommate? Social habits: Do any of your roommates smoke? How frequently do they party? Do they deal or buy drugs? Would you feel safe around their friends and house guests?
Organization: Are your roommates messy? Would they clean up after themselves in the common area? Would they split chores with you? Trust: Do you respect your roommates? Do you trust them? Responsibility: Would your roommates pay the rent on time? Would they keep track of bills and comply with the terms of the lease? Schedules: If your new apartment is spacious enough for everyone to have their own rooms, your separate class and sleep schedules may not interfere.
If you are sharing a room, be sure to consider how noise at night or early in the morning could disturb your sleep. How do we maintain a healthy living situation as the semester progresses? Establish your priorities as soon as possible. Let your roommates know when you need quiet time for studying or sleeping.
If you have a big project coming up, communicate that with your roommates. Track your schedules. By living together, you get a general idea of when your roommates are home and when they have other commitments. Keep them in a safe place, share them on a Google calendar, or maintain a whiteboard calendar on a wall so everyone knows when to expect the others to be home.
Divvy up household chores. Who will take out the trash, sweep the floor, wipe off the bathroom sink, and maintain the compost? Pitch in financially.
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