<p>It looks like the housing application is not available to view until the deposit is paid. Can anyone give insight about the process? Can students request certain roommate characteristics (partying/non-partying, morning person vs. night owl, etc.) or is Old Dorm vs. New Dorm the only question?</p>
<p>Can anyone give pros/cons of the Old Dorms and New Dorms as well?</p>
<p>So excited about the acceptance!!!!!</p>
<p>As of last year, you could not choose where you wanted to live first year. The reason is that there was too much self-segregation by engineering vs. college and by racial and ethnic groups. The U. wants everyone to interact with a cross section of students first year. That diversity is one of the big pluses of the U.</p>
<p>The people who live in old dorms will say that’s the best place to live.
The people who live in new dorms will say that’s the best place to live.</p>
<p>You’ll be fine!</p>
<p>Regarding roommate matching, read this:
[Notes</a> from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: A guest blogger from the Housing office!](<a href=“http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-blogger-from-housing-office.html]Notes”>Notes from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: A guest blogger from the Housing office!)</p>
<p>Students are using a document on [url=<a href=“https://www.facebook.com/groups/122382747858679/]the”>https://www.facebook.com/groups/122382747858679/]the</a> Class of 2016 Facebook page[/url to meet people and possibly find roommates. This has been going on for a few years. I know there is a roommate matching service out there, but it’s limited to the few people who sign up for it and someone said it’s kind of like a dating website. I think the Facebook page has worked nicely in the past.</p>
<p>
This could not be more true!!</p>
<p>My son is a first year student who lives in old dorms. He could not imagine his first year experience being any better and loves it there. We have friends with a student in new dorms who just loves them because they’re new and can’t imagine living in old dorms! 
There is much to embrace about both.</p>
<p>Regarding roommate assignments, don’t be afraid to wing it with a random assignment. My son did wanting to meet someone new. They get along great and are rooming together next year.</p>
<p>My D lived in a “new” dorm the year before it was torn down (last year) as a freshman, and she still loved it (great location and community), even though her view was of the (often dusty) construction site.</p>
<p>I’d also like to advocate for the random match process. If you stick with someone who is already in your social circle, it will take you longer to expand that circle. When you have a roommate you didn’t know before (from a different high school, geographic region, academic program/school), I think you tend to meet more people, more quickly. </p>
<p>No matter what the matching system is like, some people will have roommate conflicts. You need to have some early conversations about what you want your room to be (study space vs. social space) and how you’ll deal with problems as they come up. As long as you agree to talk about things, you’ll be just fine. :)</p>
<p>Thank you so much for the wonderful advice! It’s such an exciting time and we appreciate Dean J taking time to answer our questions, too!</p>
<p>Don’t forget about the Gooch/Dillard suites! </p>
<p>It’s a 6 person suite and each person has their own room with a shared living room! It has air conditioning and the best dining hall right next to it (Runk). The gym is right by and so is the stadium - where all the football games happen. You don’t have to tiptoe around a roommates sleep schedule since you get your own room and privacy. It has 4 bus stops so getting places is no problem. You share a bathroom with 6 people instead of a whole hall and it is cleaned weekly by the really nice custodians.</p>
<p>I’d also recommend looking at Brown College. The rooms are pretty big and the people are pretty cool from the few that I’ve met. Hazel can tell you about that if she comes to this thread though.</p>
<p>I’m so sorry I didn’t mention the residential colleges! [I</a> have a real soft spot for Brownies](<a href=“http://uvaapplication.blogspot.com/2009/12/these-kids-are-good-brown-college.html]I”>Notes from Peabody: The UVA Application Process: These kids are good: Brown College Residents). </p>
<p>Gooch/Dillard is a little bit far from the academic buildings, but every time I’m up there, I feel as though they have a nice set up…steps away from the activity of the Aquatic & Fitness Center and Scott Stadium, but far enough away to have peace and quiet.</p>
<p>I will vouch for Brown College for the rest of my life. Best part of UVA hands-down. I tell this story sometimes: I visited UVA and stayed in new dorms. I was interested in Brown and asked the suite about it… Every one of them said, “I wanted to apply there, I don’t know why I didn’t.” I applied and lived there all four years. One of the former suitemates applied and lived there her 2nd-4th year. You do trade off The first year experience, but it’s worth it if you’re thinking about it… You gain 4 years of lifelong friends you can eat with every day, for four years, etc. Feel free to search or PM me for more questions about Brown. It is a little off the beaten path (people wise, not location wise), which was part of the appeal for me. :)</p>