So I’m heading to college in the fall and have decided to choose a roommate instead of going random. Several people have messaged me online (who are living in the same dorm building) who are interested in rooming with me. After getting to know them for a few months I kind of have an idea of who I want to go with, but what do I say to the others who also wanted to room? “Sorry, I found someone better”?
Additionally, what do I say to the person who I want to room with to make sure their habits aren’t going to annoy me or mine them? “Hey, I like you, but here’s a questionnaire for you to fill out so I make sure we won’t hate each other?”
Just tell them that you’ve already made arrangements with someone else - it doesn’t necessarily connote that the person is better; it could just be something as mundane as the roommate that you chose and you both happen to like hockey and plan on going to all your school’s hockey games. I doubt anyone will be offended.
Don’t create a questionnaire - just ask them if you can maybe get to know some of their habits and you tell them yours.
It seems the most likely areas of conflict are bedtimes/sleep related, having “visitors” and amount of partying…those are the ones I would focus on.
You ultimately have to end up living with the person. Just say, sorry I made other arrangements.
If you are going to choose, before you do so I would check to make sure they match a few key points such as night/morning person, clean/messy, quiet/noisy, etc. It’s amazing how often these basic things can bug people.