<p>I'm planning on applying to a summer research program at an out-of-state school. Free on-campus housing is provided, but I don't know if I will have roommates or if I would be using a public restroom. Due to some religious observances I would like to know some of these details but I don't know if it would be unprofessional/rude for me to email the school and ask. </p>
<p>Should I email and ask, explaining vaguely that I would like some general details because of some religious practices I would need to observe? I'm just afraid of coming off as crass. Would it perhaps be better to apply, and, if accepted, then ask?</p>
<p>I'm a practicing Muslim so I perform five daily ritual prayers and I would also need to perform ablutions beforehand. Knowing what the living accommodations will be like will make me feel relaxed. If I know that I won't have a roommate, then great, there won't be any awkwardness for me to deal with (by initially having to perhaps explain the prayer). If I do have a roommate, then at least I know what to expect. Although the college I'll be staying at, if accepted, is a Christian college, so there may be a prayer room on campus, which would solve my problems. The other upside is that if I mention I just have religious observances, being a Christian campus, they probably won't bat an eye.</p>
<p>One detail I almost forgot: The school allows you to request to be put in contact with a former student to ask about his/her former experiences. Should I just do that and then ask the student about the living accommodations along with other program-related questions?</p>