I know when my kids’ schools let them know about who they’d be rooming with, especially the first year. I am curious how this works elsewhere though. What seems to be the norm? July? August? Not until students show up to their assigned room for the first time on move-in day? When did you find out who would be sharing the dorm room?
Beginning of August.
Do they usually send out a roomate survey ahead of time?
I recall surveys arriving maybe a few months after my kids accepted spots and I paid deposits.
It depends upon the school, but for me it was the beginning of August.
Yes. I think that is the norm.
Some schools have a lottery system, which is done during the first few days after arrival.
And with some, you won’t know until you show up (potentially even for returning students who may have requested a specific one) - nothing is guaranteed until Day 1!
@london203 That system, IMO, seems like it would create unnecessary stress on the students. There should be a better way to handle housing than that.
For returning students at our kids school they have room lotteries in May and roommates are picked by then. New students get email in early August with dorm/ roommate contact information included. Most kids start communicating then.
@doschicos Agreed! At least as far as returning students go… for sure. When I was in school, we picked roommates AND our room in the spring. No surprises at all!
Returning students at my D’s school get to pick rooms and roommates in the Spring. They start with rising Seniors being able to pick rooms first, then rising Juniors, and then rising Sophomores! Then Freshman/new students get randomly put into what’s left. Freshman and new students don’t find out their room assignments until move in day though!
Found out this week that the new students (9th and other grades) find out when they arrive for orientation 2 days before school starts.
My son finds out his roommate at registration in September. He does, however, have a 10th grade “buddy”/mentor with whom he’s been in touch for the past month or so.
im so nervous abt my roomate and my room situation. dont wanna single but i also dont want a double so i requested a three room double but those are pretty coveted. all my sisters got them so itll be pretty unlucky if i dont get one 
As an incoming freshmen, the school I’m attending assigns a day where you can self assign your residence hall and your roommate. I can pick the dorm and floor I want starting July 11 and the deadline is July 25. If students don’t pick their dorm before the deadline, then they are randomly assigned based on their preferences.
I actually really enjoy this option as it will relieve my stress as to where I’m staying and who my roommate is.