<p>Quite a few people have recommended getting a single, rather than a double, since a) it's easier to switch to a double later than switching to a single, and b) you often don't get along with your new roommate. Would you agree that a) is valid or not.</p>
<p>Also, how hard is it to get a single in EC?</p>
<p>I've lived at a boarding school for the past 6 years, and I would recommend a single if you are an only child at present, are used to working on your own (current I-study-in-the-library types especially) and enjoy managing your life independently.</p>
<p>Doubles can be, with the right roommate, almost as productive as singles are in terms of ability to do work uninterrupted (in the best case). You get the added benefit of guaranteed social contact and the constant refreshingness of another perspective. A great roommate will also be a good person to ask for advice. I find generally that roommates of the same age work best. I also don't find, at least at my school and I imagine more so in a more mature (age) place like MIT, that first-time roommates tend not to get along. Of course it happens, but I don't believe it is the majority case.</p>
<p>FRIENDS tend not to get along, I do not recommend choosing a roommate on the basis of an existing friendship unless you are very familiar with their living habits and believe that they are similar to your own. Sleeping habits would also be a key factor (note that they do not have to be the same, just compatible).</p>
<p>I do recommend, however, that given the opportunity, one should know what it is like to live with other people, especially someone who is initially a total stranger. I recommend trying a double (or greater), at least once.</p>
<p>My 2¢</p>
<p>It is possible to get a single in EC but don't count on it, especially not as a freshman. (There are at least two current EC residents who post here, perhaps they will comment also.)</p>
<p>Haha, I'm not sure how true a) is, because I've never heard of anyone switching from a single to a double!</p>
<p>I agree with basically all of stasterisk's points. Roommates here generally get along very well and become very close -- in many dorms, upperclassmen remain in multiple-occupancy rooms even though they could get singles, just because they want to keep living with their roommates. In the instances in which roommates fight (and they do, because you fight with anyone who's that close to you), the situation is usually resolved pretty quickly.</p>
<p>One thing to keep in mind is that you're really just picking a single vs. double for freshman year. I think all of the dorms have enough singles that sophomores and above who want singles can get singles. (This is, in my humble opinion, yet another reason to go to MIT over bigger schools -- had I gone to OSU, I would have been in a quad the size of my current single!) So if you get a double and hate it, it's just for one year (or less -- you can put in a request for a single, and if one opens up during the year you'll get it).</p>
<p>I think you have to know your own personality when deciding what room size is best for you. I ended up in Macgregor because I'm a light sleeper and have funny sleep habits, and I knew I wouldn't sleep well with a roommate. Having a single was the best thing I could have done for myself, and I didn't have to sacrifice my social life to do it -- my next-door neighbor became my "roommate", we were just in separate rooms. :)</p>
<p>So do a little soul-searching -- are you a single person or a double person? There's no right answer, and both types of people can find a great living group at MIT.</p>
<p>on my hall at EC, every freshman who wanted a single ended up getting one (all freshman but two pairs)...but that's rather unique to my particularly under requested hall...</p>
<p>I would agree with some of the posts, but would even take it further. If you do not have some huge reason which would force you to have a single, I would definitely recommend a double (or more if your dorm has it). I lived in Baker my freshman year and had a double. My roommate and I got along great and it definitely expanded my social life right away. He had been at school for football early so I met a lot of people that way. During the year, we hung out in the room but not so much outside of the room (not that we didn't ever go out together). I agree with the idea that you should not room with a friend unless you absolutely know them. You learn quickly that living with someone is very different from getting along with someone, so it may be best to stay friends and not room together.</p>
<p>All in all, get roommates. If for nothing else, you get a great story or two out of it.</p>
<p>Just throwing this out there. Don't brush off the whole "each dorm has it's own personality" as propaganda. That isn't just something they tell you, it is VERY true. Do your homework during CPW/Orientation. Make sure to get a couple of solid choices.</p>
<p>5East in East Campus will always have singles for freshmen :)</p>
<p>and roommates aren't SOOO bad. I mean. I practically sleep in the same bed with mine and I'm a terrible sleeper. The clangy radiators will keep you up more often than your roommate. :P</p>
<p>"clangy radiators" -- really :). </p>
<p>Can someone describe the halls of EC, I'm sort of confused. Which ones are the less party-oriented and more silent, which halls have more single slots for freshman, etc.</p>
<p>zking786, it is probably best for you to explore during Orientation & Rush and see for yourself. Someone else's impressions of what each hall is like, or what each DORM is like, is not really meaningful. You really do need to visit all the dorms and all the entries/halls/floors and see what you think and how you feel: that's what Rush is all about! There is not "a description" which will serve to un-confuse you. And if you end up somewhere first year where you don't think you want to stay, you move for next year. Relax and have fun with it.</p>
<p>That makes sense, it's probably difficult to describe something as subjective as a culture. I just wanted to gather some general perceptions before REX. </p>
<p>Thanks for all the input.</p>
<p>This might not help anyone, since it's very general, but can't hurt to post it.</p>
<p>And, of course, there is the official list of undergraduate residence halls from the MIT website. Clicking on the dorm name will show you stats about the building, the cost of living there (which does vary by dorm and room size -- singles are more expensive than half-a-double, and older dorms are generally less expensive), and photos of rooms, common areas, etc.</p>
<p>Is it difficult to get into the dorm you want, or do people usually get their first choice (after orientation, REX/rush, etc.)?</p>
<p>It varies each year. Here is an article from The Tech about the fall 2005 Rush.
[quote]
In the summer lottery, 70 percent of freshmen received their first choice, 26 percent received their second choice, and the remaining four percent were assigned to their third choice.
....
About 16 percent of the Class of 2009 requested to move out of their temporary dormitory assignments in this years housing adjustment lottery. A total of 157 of 996 students, applied for a change, with 134, or 85 percent of those entering the adjustment lottery, able to move.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>On my hall (in EC) there were 4 freshman in single rooms and 6 freshman in 3 doubles. I think it's easier to get a single here than in most places. And you WILL get a single for sophomore year unless you really want to double again.</p>
<p>Also, Senior Haus is air conditioned.</p>
<p>Yeah, my roommate is OK. Sometimes, when there are noises in the night, I think "That darned radiator!!" but it is just her.</p>
<p>Ack, sorry, I thought New House was the only one with AC. (Well, that explains why several of my friends moved to Senior Haus for the summer. :))</p>
<p>amyloplast, some dorms are more oversubscribed than others (ie some dorms are easier to get into than others). Which particular dorms are oversubscribed in a given year depends on what the incoming class composition is... it does change somewhat from year to year.</p>
<p>Who'll be sleeping at MIT anyway ;).</p>
<p>
[quote]
Simmons. (...) Rooms are doubles and singles, freshmen will get singles.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Is that a new policy for next year? <a href="http://web.mit.edu/housing/undergrad/simmons.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/housing/undergrad/simmons.html</a> says freshmen currently get doubles.</p>
<p>Omigod, typo.</p>
<p>That should read "freshmen will get doubles."</p>
<p>Sorry about that.</p>