I’m debating whether I should choose a single dorm or share a room with someone else. On one hand, I would like the quiet and independence of a single. On the other hand, I feel like a double would allow me to experience the traditional freshman life. Current students or graduates, what are the pros and cons of living in a single dorm and a double dorm? Would choosing a single dorm give me a better chance of living in one of the nicer residential halls at Cornell? What was your experience like in a freshman dorm at Cornell?
I’m not a current student, but I will be (just like you, most likely lol).
I would go with a double simply because you have the opportunity to make one initial friend right off the back which can be something special. I’ve actually got a quad (3 other roomies- hoping and most likely will get Donlon yay!), so I guess I can be a little biased lol… I feel like you’ll get that full college social experience if you get a double/triple/quad which is something that will totally be worth it in the end and if not, it’s a learning experience that you’ll be able to take with you. College is all about learning, and sometimes, not academically.
Traditional freshman life is overrated. Take the single and run.
I chose single after having heard about my friend’s terrible experience with a roommate at another college. It really depends on you. I am a picky person who doesn’t want my roommate to drink or smoke and I cannot fall asleep with lights or loud music on. So I decided that my best choice would be single. If you are not too picky and are easy to get along with, you should be fine either way. I saw some ppl on the Cornell FB class of '19 page inquiring about roommates, so you can give it a shot there and hopefully find someone you would like to room with.
There are a lot of singles, so you wouldn’t be in the minority if you should choose single. Both of my kids had a single and enjoyed it very much. They left the door open if they wanted visitors and was able to close the door when they wanted privacy or to study in their room. Cornell is very cold in the winter, so it is a real luxury to not have to get to a library to study sometimes. Both of my kids made lifelong friends at Cornell, even though they had singles.
Is it really normal to share a room with a complete stranger for a year? When would you ever do that again and what life experience do you think you would gain by sharing a room with someone?
Many kids share rooms with siblings, married people share rooms with their spouse, lots of people share their apartment with someone, not always people that they are best friends with. Folks in the military obviously live in groups. I shared my dorm room and then several apartment bedrooms with people when I was in college. I suspect that, generally speaking, sharing a bedroom/living area with someone is much more common than living alone.
tamara6 - siblings and spouse are people we know, not complete strangers. Many young people share apartment with someone, but more often than not, they have their own bedroom. No, I do not believe it is that common for people to share a bedroom, and that would include siblings.
I think it may depend on where you come from and how many kids are in your family. I know plenty of families where kids do share rooms. I, personally, think there is a value in learning how to share a small space with someone - but I can see how some people would find it nice to live alone. My personal experience as an undergrad was living with people, and I enjoyed it very much. My experience in grad school was living alone, and it was not as much fun. I feel like I did learn things as an undergrad that helped when I got married. YMMV.
FWIW, my 18 year old D shares her bedroom with her 10 year old sister. It’s not the most optimal situation and there is a good deal of squabbling, but our family doesn’t have a choice and the girls have made the best of it over the years. Suffice it to say the 10 year old is thrilled her sister will be attending college in the fall! Let the countdown begin! 
lemontwist - I was just thinking the 10 year old is probably doing a little happy dance now. My kids are 5 years apart. They didn’t share a room, but they did share a bathroom. They younger one completely took over the bathroom, their study, and her older sister’s closet when the older one moved out.