Hi. We’ve noticed many of the First Year housing options have a high number of single rooms, albeit part of larger shared suites/bathrooms. We’ve read student rank their dorm preference, but beyond that do they rank a preference for a single or double or is it random draw? If someone specific wants a single or a double, is it likely they will get one?
Beyond that question, any general advise on first year housing preferences or ranking?
Thanks.
This might help:
Thank you this is helpful.
One thing I have not seen discussed anywhere is how the application works. I read somewhere that the first years rank their preference for buildings, but I haven’t read one way or the other whether they get to rank a preference for a single or a double (any whether there is any cost difference between them). I know my older kids would have proactively preferenced doubles because they really wanted the socialization kick start of a roommate. While my youngest would prefer a single – would be nice if the doubles are filled essentially by volunteers first.
I assume you have read the first-year housing page?
https://www.housing.columbia.edu/content/first-year-application
https://www.housing.columbia.edu/content/housing-first-year-students
Generally, you can indicate a preference of building, and living style, single-gender floors, or even form roommate groups that hopes to be assigned one suite. From there, assignments will happen that will try to accommodate preferences for as many people as possible. But realize, there likely will be many people with the same/clashing preferences that a good number of people will not see (any/all) their preferences met.
Here the first-year costs:
https://www.housing.columbia.edu/content/rates
I don’t see any differential pricing, based on living style/preference.
However, I would suspect that upperclass-(wo)men who explicitly apply for single SUITES (own bathroom/kitchen), will do with the understanding of a higher rate.