Hi! I’m excited to be joining the Pomona College class of 2024. We were just sent a survey to fill out about our housing preferences, and I’ve found myself a bit stuck. While people may think I’m super extraverted, I definitely need a lot of alone time to relax and recharge. I also have a semi-strange sleep schedule as I wake up super early in the morning (like 4:30/5) to do work as I’m more productive then than at night. I’m also going to be a fall athlete and constantly surrounded by my team etc. Do you think it’s okay if I request a single? Will I be missing out on a great experience? (also, I know a request is not a guarantee I will get one, but hypothetically)
I’ve had really bad experiences with roommates in the past at different summer programs, and while I’m sure the matching system is fantastic at Pomona, I’ve just had some bad luck in that category. My gut feeling is a single, but I don’t know if I’d regret it later.
I think you do miss out in not having a roommate , but you know yourself best and you will have a built in group with your sport.
My daughter requested a double and ended up in a single–at first she was disappointed (was worried about feeling isolated) but she will tell you that she’s 100% happy she got a single, after all. With the sponsor group living situation, she didn’t feel the slightest bit isolated, and really kind of felt like her immediate neighbors were her roommates. I know all sponsor groups are different, but hers was a “doors left open, people popping in and out of each other’s rooms” group/hall and she ended up liking being able to have her solitude when she really needed it. I really think you can’t go wrong either way (and to be honest, I really don’t think you get a lot of say in whether you get a single/double or even triple).
I just finished my first year at Pomona! I opted for a double (as well as most of my friends) and I really wish I could’ve had a single. If your sleep schedule is a bit funky and if you’re on a team, it’s really nice getting to choose when to sleep and do work. Some roommate pairings worked super well, but a few did not (including by own). Many people don’t become best friends with their roommates, so don’t feel as if you’re missing out on something amazing. Plus, 30% of Pomona freshmen have singles.
My favorite part of my living situation was my sponsor group, so regardless of whether you’re in a single or not you’ll have people living next to you. Most of my friends came from my sponsor group; my roommate wasn’t really a factor in my social life.
To respond to @OrangeBlossomMom, you definitely do have a say in whether you’ll get a single/double/triple. Send your form in now and in the late summer if you dislike your rooming arrangements email the director of housing and operations and they will be happy to change your room. Many people get their rooms changed if they want a single/double.