Is it bad to have a roommate randomly selected for me at Penn State? I am an OOS student and don’t know anyone going there and I don’t have a facebook to try to find one on there either. Is there any other way to find a roommate?
My son wants to go random. He has a few close friends going to PSU and no one wants to room together. More chance of meeting other people .I think you will be fine.
@HH9108 my son is currently a junior,he went random and he and his roommate still live together in an apartment…and will next year. My S is from NY and his roommate from Wilkes-Barre, he has met many people through his roommate and I think it is pretty common.
We are OOS and mine did random, she requested East Halls. She ended up being assigned to McElwain Hall in South and given TWO roommates, the three of them share a double room. We freaked a little at first, but loved the dorm at move-in…she has had a fantastic year, loves her dorm and her two roommates are fantastic. They were both also OOS and were in the same college, it’s been great! The girls are so happy that they are sharing a tiny room again next year!
I say go random, it’s nice to meet new people!
D found her roommate on Facebook, selecting someone with the same major (engineering) and seemingly similar habits and interests. They texted almost everyday for six months. Now they merely coexist. They do not hangout together at all, the roommate is no longer in engineering and the two have very different study/party habits - they are not at all compatible. Heard the same from others who connected via Facebook - its no guarantee of compatibility!
My D found a roommate on Facebook. Similar interests. But, made sure they did not share same major. It’s all hit or miss.
My daughter found her roommate on the facebook group after much handwringing that she’d NEVER find a roommate! It worked out great for her. They are in different majors and get along great. They are living in a house together again next year - but with their own rooms. My daughter mostly didn’t like having any privacy as her roommate rarely leaves the dorm without my D unless to go to classes. So, while my daughter loves this girl, she is looking forward to having some private space.
I’ve heard horror stories every way it’s been done - so I don’t think you can go wrong, or 100% right with any choice you make. It’s kind of a crap shoot!
I didn’t have a facebook either,and I still don’t, so I went random, and it went just fine. In fact, I actually went random twice: in the summer and in the fall. I know many people use facebook to find their roommate, but it does not always work well; my roommate found her first roommate on facebook and had to switch after about a week! I would say just go with whatever you feel comfortable with, and you will be fine!
I also went random twice. It’s hit or miss, but I know several people who grew to hate the roommates they had picked out, so… I have a single this upcoming year. 
Hi my daughter is assigned to mcelwain hall for three persons’ room. I heard that they changes two persons room to three persons. I hope no bunk bed. Does it has in room bathroom/showers? how about storage? Any additional items you suggest?