Hi, I’m an incoming freshman. My mom thinks I should live in a double room but I really want to live in a single. I’m introverted so I like having my own room to unwind and chill and “recharge.” I like my privacy. I also like being able to set my own alarms, live on my own schedule, just be really independent. I’ve gone to summer camps before where I’ve stayed in dorms and I’ve usually not enjoyed the experience. My best friends of those camps were always people who weren’t my roommates. So, do you think requesting for a single room is worth paying the extra $300 a semester?
It’s funny—I’m encouraging my ds20 to get a single for a variety of reasons, and he wants a double. Yes, I think it’s worth it. Even more so, given COVID. Met my best college friend in 1988 at CU Boulder. She had a single, and we were all jealous eventually. I say go for it.
I don’t think that’s a lot to pay for a living situation you think you would strongly prefer.
Maybe you can tell your mom you’ll consider a double next year when you can choose to room with a friend.
Offer to pay the difference.
That seems like a low amount to have a single, and you have your reasons. I understand your mom’s concerns though, honestly I would have the same (my S is going into a single for sophomore year, I was surprised but understand).
I do think that in a single you have to put a little more effort into meeting people during those first few weeks. Leave your door open (pack a door stop), go to hall events and get out and about. Having a roommate especially for an introvert can just bring some people into your sphere that you wouldn’t have met otherwise, or be someone to get out and about with at first.
Don’t worry about that “independence” factor of a double, kids in doubles don’t seem to really sync schedules even though that can take some getting used to if you are one going to bed earlier for example!
Is it worth it? $600/year. Depends upon who’s paying. If it’s not with it to the payer, why should They pay? If your parents are willing and able to pay, great. If you are willing and able to pay, great.
OP: $300 a semester for a single room is very reasonable–especially in light of the current concerns about Covid-19 & “social distancing”.
As a freshman in college, you will meet a lot of new people so it is wise–in my opinion–to have a private space where you can relax & adhere to your schedule without worry about conflicts.
Privacy is a both a comfort & a luxury that should help you to enjoy your freshman year of college.
Without a doubt in my book.
Keep in mind that if you are filling out a housing preference form and requesting a single, it is just that, a request. The odds of being assigned to a single may be greatly limited.
In a typical year it is exceedingly difficult to get a single room as a freshman. However this year who knows? Just don’t assume you will get one because you request it.
Thanks! Yeah, I know it’s a request, so I’m not assuming that I am going to get one or telling people so, but I hope that I do!
On my housing form, this is what I selected for my top 3 living requests:
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Single room, single sex floor
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Single room, coed floor
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Double room, single sex floor
Do you think my chances of getting a single would be higher if I just eliminated another three and only specified the first two options, or will that not make a difference?
Typically, most if not all singles for freshmen are assigned through the disabilities office. Unless you have a medical issue that necessitates a single, you probably won’t get one. So you should assume your first and second choices will not be granted. Therefore if your preference is a single sex vs a coed floor you should definitely make that known, otherwise you may be put in a double on a coed floor.
But who knows for this fall?
@Classof2020Kid : “Do you think my chances of getting a single would be higher if I just eliminated another three and only specified the first two options, or will that not make a difference?”
If the housing office exhausts the options open for the first two preferences before coming to your name, and you forego placing an express preference for #3 above in your list, you could wind up back in the general pool of those with no preference at all, and find the comments of @eastcoat101 in play.
@Classof2020Kid I wanted to share with you the latest on on-campus housing. Dorms will open, there will be a maximum of 2 students per room. Singles will be available for students who are immunocompromised or have other medical conditions that require such accommodations. You should not expect to get a single unless you fall into that category.
“Dorms will open, there will be a maximum of 2 students per room. Singles will be available for students who are immunocompromised or have other medical conditions that require such accommodations. You should not expect to get a single unless you fall into that category.”
Hmm. I didn’t notice that exclusivity for singles in the language. Will re-read.
The specific language used was “Single rooms will be available, and students who request those rooms because of medical conditions or circumstances requiring special precautions will be prioritized for single room assignments.“ This is specifically related to COVID.
If you don’t have a medical condition you will go to the bottom of list so while it is possible there will be some available, it’s not something you should count on.