<p>There have been a lot of posts about International Village in general, but I haven't seen any specifically relating to the pros/cons of singles and doubles. Being admitted as a University Scholar, I am definitely going to attend NEU next fall, but I'm really torn as far as housing. I'd consider myself an introvert, but not a hermit. I really enjoy some time alone to recharge and rest and do my own thing and so I'm drawn to a single (especially since the bathroom invites interaction with the other next door and I wouldn't be completely alone), but at the same time I don't want to be isolated from others. If you've lived in IV could you please tell me your experience with your dorm, whether single or double, specifically your relationship with your roommate and if you'd choose the same housing situation again? And even if you haven't lived in IV, what are your general thoughts on a single vs. a double? Thanks!</p>
<p>My daughter had a single in IV last year as a freshman honors student and loved it. She enjoyed having the privacy of her own room. She made plenty of good friends even though she is an introvert. She actually did not get along with her suitemate whom she shared the bathroom with. So, she was glad she had not gotten a random roommate whom she might have not gotten along with. They ask in the roommate survey if you would consider a single (they do not guarantee one - but there seem to be plenty) and the single is more expensive. IV is not a place where kids leave their doors open but there are still plenty of ways to make friends and plenty of common areas to hang out in (the gym, the basement classrooms, the various areas on each floor, etc.)</p>
<p>If the extra cost doesn’t bother you, get a single. </p>
<p>Here’s why:
The freshmen in IV live on floors 2-9, which are 3 connected towers with two common rooms per floor. There’s people everywhere, and it’s very easy to make friends. Some people practically live in their friends rooms because they’re literally a walk and a knock away. At any given time, at least some of the common rooms are full of people talking and hanging out. People set up movie nights in the basement classrooms. Tons of people collaborate on things like bringing food together for Thanksgiving in the common room, Secret Santa exchanges, etc. You all eat in the same dining hall. Etc. Etc. Trust me, the only way to NOT interact with people/find some friends is to sit in your room and never ever leave. </p>
<p>On the flipside, speaking as someone with a double, privacy is extremely hard to come by.
I’m an extrovert, so luckily I like to spend my days with minimal alone time. Despite that, even I’m finding myself a little frustrated with how impossible it is to be alone when I want to be (especially in the winter). Since you’re an introvert, I’d definitely recommend the single.</p>
<p>I have similar questions about IV. I was accepted to the honors program but not University Scholars, so congrats- that’s awesome.</p>
<p>I more than likely won’t pay for a single, or my parents won’t rather (totally understandable) but I have questions about the rooming in general. I’m pretty much down the middle in a lot of areas personality wise; I like hanging out with a lot of friends and going out, but at the same time I enjoy just relaxing by myself and listening to music. I can be an untidy person in that I might leave pens/books, clean clothes out in the room but I like everything to be clean- no toothpaste in the sink, hair in the drain…things like that. I don’t want to answer one way or the other on the roommate survey and get matched with a crazy party animal who never sleeps or cleans but I also don’t want someone who is mad at me for coming in later or leaving my bed unmade.</p>
<p>Any help on navigating this process? I really don’t want a bad roommate. We don’t have to be best friends, but I don’t want to spend a year avoiding my room.</p>
<p>Other than single vs double, the only other choice you really get is whether you are going to request a roommate or go random. I know roommate pairings from both routes that have worked out well and pairs from both that haven’t. If you’re interested in finding a roommate, you could try posting on the honors student Facebook group in the spring. Don’t worry too much though, the odds are that things will work out and if they don’t, it is possible to switch rooms.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your insight! If I did decide on a single, could I still request a specific roommate to be adjoined to, given they request me?</p>
<p>Borque- they call those people ‘suitemates’, and yes- you can request them. :)</p>
<p>I am a freshman living in IV and I agree with 3linesleft- friends are extremely easy to come by. I live in a double as well and if I had to do it over again, I would still live in a double for multiple reasons aside from cost(which is a plus.) I know that at some point, I will have to live with a roommate, whether it be in apartments next year or when I graduate, but I would rather get used to it now. Also, you may find a good friend in your roommate. I am an extrovert, but one of my concerns when coming here was that I wouldn’t talk to many people if I lived in a single. However, that concern was unfounded considering all of my friends that live in singles love them, and it gives them a lot more privacy so they never have to deal with sexiling. It really depends on the person so I would take all things into account before making a decision. Good luck!</p>