Triples in housing

So the word is that there are more freshmen than expected this year and “majority of rooms” will be triples at least in Wall. Don’t think my D is too excited about that. She is rooming with a really good friend and it seems unfair (to the third person) to throw in a random person with two good friends as opposed to two random people.

What are your thoughts on triples?

Wall has had triples for 2 years now, from everything I hear it’s working out fine. They will figure it out and it will be fine. College is all about making adjustments , getting outside your comfort zone and being open to new experiences. Be positive about the possibility and make sure your daughter keeps an open mind about it.

Six girls to one bathroom is not ideal. Not thrilled about this possibility as one of the perks of the Honors Program and RLC is supposed to be the housing advantages it provides. I was hoping they would learn from the significant over-enrollment last year and adjust accordingly.

Exactly. From what housing says, there are actually more triples this year even thought on our tours they said they were admitting less students this year to alleviate that. Now my D and her roommate scrambling to find a compatible third. But the concern is there will be so many doubles looking for a third roommate that Housing will have to actually break up some twosomes to be the third for triples. That would be unacceptable.

Sounds like admissions will be even more competitive next year.

I lived in a triple the first year they established that, and it ended up being ok. What is funny is that roommate 1 and I chose each other after chatting on Facebook, but in the end we weren’t able to become good friends. Roommate 2 was the added on person, but she and I ended up enjoying each other’s presence more. This is just an anecdote but it was very often the case. I know a room that all were randomly put together and they ended up being very good friends. My point is that your relationships with your roommates are very unpredictable and the triple situation will not affect whether you and your roommates are suited for friendship.

I don’t work for housing, but Tulane hasn’t been known for separating roommates once they have selected each other on the housing portal. There is a surprising number of people that decide to go random, because as I mentioned before, how close you’ll be to your roommate(s) is quite random. Of course this might be different as this year is over enrolled, but don’t underestimate the number of “compatible thirds” around.

As for the bathroom situation, it is not as bad as you would think because the sink and the mirror is in the rooms. Toilet time is easily managed with everyone’s different schedules. The only thing is shower times, and that can also be easily worked out when the girls sign roommate agreements. For my room I had 4 girls for one bathroom, and I can only recall 1 or 2 times where I needed the bathroom and it was unavailable. In cases like that, you can always ask your friends if their bathroom is open for borrowing.

Fwiw, our kid got placed in a double in Monroe with desired roommate.

My D got a triple in Wall with triple suite mates, so 6 girls sharing a bathroom and space meant for 4. Oh boy. At least she is rooming with her friend. So much for the honors dorm perk. Tulane is making a killing on packing these dorms.

Maybe, but many of the honors students get nice academic scholarships. My daughter received 32,000.

My d is also in a triple suite (6 girls). She and one roomie had connected a few months ago and decided to room together.I tried to warn her that they might be in a triple. They’ve bought color coordinated comforters, etc. Then, she got the news yesterday, triple, and was bumming a bit. Tried to tell her to get over it – it’ll be fun and fine. I’m happy to save some money. Plus, the cherry on the top is that the bathroom will be cleaned! I shared one toilet, one shower and two sinks with seven females my frosh year – never had a problem, except for the girl who got up and smoked two cigarettes in the bathroom every morning while putting on her makeup.

My daughter and her roommates chose triples to offset the cost. I get it that the saving is trivial to many. My point is that the kids are more mature than we think they are. They will be fine, trust me.