<p>Is it common for incoming freshman to specify a roommate on their housing application? I know that many people do this, but I'm not sure if I should. What would be a safer route and what do most people generally do?</p>
<p>Does anyone who's currently at Northwestern or attending Northwestern have any advice on this? What did you do/are you planning to do? Thanks!</p>
<p>A lot of people end up being “meh” with their random roommate. I randomed, though, and we’re rooming together next year. Also, if you request someone, make sure you know who they are past their internet self because the internet really can change someone’s appearance.</p>
<p>My son did not request a particular person and it worked out just fine for him freshman year. On the other hand, he roomed with someone he thought he knew well for sophomore year and it was less than a stellar experience. I think that part of college is just going for the randomness of an assigned roommate.</p>
<p>cubecul: Thanks a lot! It seems like many people choose to go random then? It just seemed like a lot of people decide to put someone down, but if I sort of only have the internet to go on about a person, should I just random instead? I guess it’s more common than I expected it to be .</p>
<p>momof3sons: That actually really helps and you’re right about it being a part of the college experience :]</p>
<p>I’d appreciate any other opinions too!</p>
<p>Go random. Getting a random roomie is much better, trust me. Then, there is no pressure to be friends. That being said, if you end up loving them and becoming best friends, FANTASTIC. If you don’t like them, WHO CARES! No pressure to be friendly… although you should be respectful seeing as you share a space. Everyone gets annoyed with their roommate at some point or another, random or not. It’s less awkward to have conflict with a person whom which you don’t care to have a long-term friendship with, than to have conflict with a close friend, or someone you specifically chose as your roomie. </p>
<p>RANDOM!!!</p>
<p>Can’t emphasize enough how much we believe in random…this is all part of the collegiate experience…getting a roommate that is not like you is, really, pretty important…it will show you different pov’s and ways of life that will enable you to expand yourself as a person. Older son went to WashU/St. L…when he got his roommate and we saw his profile on Facebook…well, we couldn’t imagine two more opposite people (my mouth dropped…), well, they ended up being friends and rooming together again sophomore year. So much of college is the socialization aspect, not just the education…go random!</p>
<p>D went random last year and it worked out really well. As others here have said, when she first learned about her roommate they appeared to be polar opposites yet turned out to be a really great support system for each other.</p>