<p>Could you please give your thoughts on having a single vs. a double? When I first thought about the idea, I immediately wanted a double, but now I'm not so sure. For me, the trouble isn't really the privacy issue or the possibility of not liking your roommate, it's that I have no clue how I would be able to focus. do students generally spend lots of time in their rooms, or is it just study/sleep? Even then, I'm not sure if I'd really be able to study with someone else in the room. What are your experiences with this? Your thoughts? Do the pros of having a double outweigh the cons?</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Are singles even a possibility for first year students at most schools? Unless you have privacy or serious OCD issues, I would really not recommend a single for your first year…IMO part of the whole deal of BS (and at least the first year at most colleges) is having a roommate. Having a single (unless everybody has a single) to me just sets you up for not being as socially integrated. Based on my college experience, having a roommate exposed you to more groups of people (not just your circle of friends, but now your roommates friends, etc.).</p>
<p>If it weirds you out to be studying alongside someone, go to the library.</p>
<p>Also, seems like a “cross that bridge when you get to it” sort of issue. Focus now on your apps and essays.</p>
<p>Just the 2¢ of a prospective dad.</p>
<p>Thank you for your input! You’ve made me feel much more at ease. Thank you :D.</p>
<p>At Deerfield, about 80-85% of the rooms are singles. Initially, this concerned me a little. As a parent of an only child I was hoping that she got a roommate. As I did research and honestly asked questions I found that DA’s theory was that students need a place to call their own, some privacy, especially when they are underclassman. Their policy has been going on a long time and it works much better than I thought.</p>
<p>Though there are a lot of singles, I was told that most kids just sleep and study in their rooms, my d has proven this her case. They do a lot of things together as a group and their house parents and proctors keep them occupied with feeds, etc.</p>
<p>I think that roommates are a challenge better left to an older kid, even if just 3rd or 4th year bs student. My d does better right now in a room alone, it works great for her now.</p>
<p>@Alexz825Mom: If the the majority of rooms are singles (as you note they are at DA), then I could see it being fine because it is the rule and not the exception.</p>
<p>Probably no issues with a double IF the room is large enough. With Deerfield’s overenrollment, some doubles are really…single sized. But as Alex825Mom indicates they only study or sleep in the rooms. Most of the time, they are elsewhere. The dorms are empty most of the day and even late afternoons.
The people in doubles get first choice for the room they want the following year.</p>
<p>Alext–it is amazing that my d is entertaining rooming with a friend next year. I am so surprised that it has even crossed her mind. But it is a long time until the spring term for putting in their selections–lol</p>