<p>Those of you who've roomed in a single, especially in your freshman year, what's it like? I'm not particularly introverted or extroverted but I'm sociable and love meeting new people and having extended conversations about the randomest things under the sun. That said, I also love a certain degree of privacy and the ability to be in control of my direct surroundings. It would seem like a single is a decent choice, except that I've lived with roommates while boarding during high school and I've found it a valuable experience as well. So the dilemma really is single vs. double (assuming I have a person already in mind for a potential roommate). What's the social environment like around the single rooms? Are singles untolerably small? Any thoughts are welcome.</p>
<p>My daughter had a tiny single at Clara Dickson. It had a slanted roof. The dorm was set up that girls were on one side of the dorm and guys were on the other side. I think it’s due to location of bathrooms. My daughter really had the best of both world. When she wanted to be social, she left her door open and when she wanted some privacy she just closed her door. She became very good friends with a girl across the hall, so they would leave their doors open and converse through the hall way. They were never lonely. One of the upside was when it was cold, she could study in her room instead going to a library. It worked out very well for her.</p>
<p>My daughter had a HUGE single in Balch. Like Oldfort’s daughter, she found the single extremely convenient for studying. She also took advantage of the opportunity to sleep as much as she wanted – something she didn’t get to do in high school (IB diploma program; 6:30 a.m. bus). She did not make a lot of friends in Balch, but I think that was more a matter of the particular people who happened to live on her hall rather than the fact that she lived in a single. Anyway, she made friends elsewhere (mostly with the dorm neighbors of a high school friend), so she didn’t feel isolated.</p>
<p>One of my daughter’s friends, who lived in another dorm, was a host for female pre-freshmen who were visiting overnight. Sometimes, these girls would ask, “Why would anyone ever want to live in Balch?” The host would call my daughter and ask to bring the pre-freshman over to see her room. After that, there would be no more questions.</p>
<p>Living in a tiny double in Cascadilla the next year was a major comedown after that glorious single.</p>
<p>I also live in a single in Balch, and I love it! It’s huge, it’s easy to study and sleep, there’s tons of closet space, the sink is a huge plus…I agree that it’s not the most social dorm, but most of my friends are actually Balchies. I really lucked out and am living in a hall with a great group of girls!</p>
<p>In terms of having a single in general, I highly recommend requesting one. The privacy is wonderful, and I love studying/sleeping/waking up/etc. whenever I want without worrying about bothering a roommate. At the same time, making new friends is as easy as stepping outside of your room. Everyone will be eager to meet new people at the beginning of the year, regardless of what type of room they’re in, so making friends shouldn’t be harder if you’re in a single as long as you make the effort to leave your room.</p>
<p>I loved my single last year, I love my single this year, and I will probably love my single next year.
I think it is excellent to have your own private space. I’m a rather introverted person, so it is a huge relief to me when I can shut the door and just relax. to be honest I probably need to work on being more outgoing, but that’s me, not my room.</p>
<p>I have a friend who is very introverted and wants a single at Cornell, but hes also going on alot of aid. Would it be strange to them if he chooses a single even though it costs more and hes already on aid? Just curious.</p>
<p>If your friend is on FA they would only pay for a double. But, if they give him a single because there isn’t enough double then he won’t have to pay the extra. If he has a medical reason of needing a single, Cornell would also accommodate that. Cornell has a lot of singles. Many people do unexpectedly end up in a single.</p>
<p>You can also go from 14 meals/$300 BRB to 10 meals/$500 BRB on the meal plan and save enough to cover most, but not all, of the difference between the single and the double.
EDIT: This downgrade in meal plan leaves $675 extra you would have to cover to make up for upgrading to a single.</p>