<p>I am going to be a freshman next year in LSA. I have heard that if you go in blind, there is a greater chance of getting a dorm on central campus instead of North campus, than if you already have decided on a roommate. Is this true? If so, are there any statistics that back this? Thanks for any responses!</p>
<p>This question was asked recently when we went to the admitted student session. They said chances for getting central campus were less if you designate a roommate. Here is why. Everyone who submits housing application by May 7 is assigned a random priority number. If two people connect as roommates they use the lower of the two priority numbers to assign the room, thus lowering your chances to get your first choice.</p>
<p>Ah I see that makes sense. Thanks!</p>
<p>Last year my daughter chose a friend of a friend as a roommate. As it turned out, they were paired with another NYC metropolitan area pair in a 2 room suite in Oxford Housing (better than N Campus, not as good as Central). While living on North Campus is not a death sentence, you should do absolutely anything you can to avoid it. Maybe think about a Learning Community as a way to secure Hill or Central Campus housing.</p>
<p>I was thinking about applying for an MLC, but I felt like each of them were for students who were already pretty committed to a certain field of study, whereas I’m still unsure and will most likely spend most of first year taking a variety of different courses. Also, does anyone know why Housing doesn’t just assign all the Engineering students to North Campus since it’s where the College of Engineering is? Wouldn’t that leave more room on Central/Hill for LSA students and others?</p>
<p>As a first year engineering student, you most likely will only be taking one or two classes on north campus. The pre-req classes will still be on central, thus the strong desire to be in central or hill dorms. After freshmen year, few continue to live in the dorms</p>
<p>Oh I didn’t know that. That makes sense. Do you know where most students live past freshmen year then?</p>
<p>Among the 9500 students live in dorm, 5900 are freshmen and 3600 are sophomore to senior combined. Most students would share an apartment or subleased a house with their friends after freshmen year. There are many apartments on campus (or right next to it) but they are rather expensive. There are houses mostly around the south side for lease or sublease too but are pretty old and often broken. Also there are apartments that are not too far away from Main Campus or North Campus within walking/biking distance that are slightly more affordable. Some would even live a bit away either along the bus routes or drive to school (if don’t mind parking at a distance with a fee) for a cheaper price. </p>
<p>A learning community has classroom requirements and extra commitments. </p>
<p>Using it as a way to guarantee a location is not a fantastic idea, because you have to fit into the community goals and be willing to make the time and work effort. There is a trade-off for the location. </p>
<p>^ I agree. Applying to the learning community for your interest in the program not their dorm location.</p>
<p>You should also research the dorm renovation cycle: I believe that the Cambridge house and South Quad dorms are now being renovated. If true, that will further squeeze availability on Central Campus.</p>
<p>South Quad was just renovated and will be open in the Fall. West Quad will be closed next year for renovations.</p>
<p>Ok thanks for the information. How far exactly is the Hill from Central Campus? Would living there be a similar annoyance as North Campus?</p>
<p>Personally, I like Hill area more. It is right behind CCRB and has great view (for half of the rooms). It is just a bridge and a block away from the center of central campus. North Campus is also only a 5 min bus ride away, not really annoyance.</p>
<p>What would you recommend for the better college experience, blind or pre requested roommate? What are the chance of getting a “bad” roommate? </p>
<p>I have a Korean friend who I could room with if i wanted to, but I am not sure if I want to do that because I have a feeling that will lead me to “Only Korean Friends Circle”. I want to have more diverse friendship and college experience but I keep hearing this bad story about getting a bad roommate. What should I do? Do roommates typically determine who you will hang out with? or Does it not matter who you room with?</p>
<p>If you do worry getting a bad roommates, you should find your own. Not very often that one would be matched with a bad roommate, however, it seems you do have a cultural difference that need to be overcome at the same time. Don’t worry about a limited friend circle. You can join some clubs or other activities to enrich your campus experience. Practically, you will hang out more often with friends from your class than your roommate, particularly when you are working in a group.
If you do want to have your friend as your roommate, make sure both of you put the other person on the housing application as roommate.</p>
<p>Oh I thought North Campus was a 15 minute drive. Then it’s not too bad. I think I will end up going in blind, even though I could still get a bad priority number but at least I’ll have a better chance!</p>
<p>You can drive from one end to the opposite end of Ann Arbor in 15min when there is no traffic. If you take the full route of Northwood, it will take you 20min including multiple stops on the way. But from Pierpoint Common, it is around 5 min to bring you to main campus.</p>