<p>Freshman...the dorms are all brand new for the '08-'09 school year.</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>The first is about $1,200/year more expensive. Is there any reason in your experience to pay the extra cash for my own room? As far as social integration, I'd be living in a suite either way.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>It depends on what you want. If you “need” your own space, or anything along those lines, go for the single room. </p>
<p>As far as both of them being suites, people I know at my school that live in a similar set-up to the singles you posted haven’t seens one, two, or even all of their suitemates aside from them leaving the room or coming back from class…</p>
<p>Well I’ve shared my room at home with my brother for a good 8 years or so…guess I won’t have any trouble doing it in college.</p>
<p>First one is pretty awesome if you ask me. and if you ever “bring” anyone back to you dorm, you will have your own personal space :D</p>
<p>living with siblings and living with a complete stranger is totally different. one you can tell off/blow up at and be perfectly cool the next day; the other requires a lot of care and work.</p>
<p>Living with a roommate (in a room more than in a suite) is a daunting idea, but I personally think it’s an important (and largely irreplaceable) experience.</p>
<p>This is probably one of the only times you’ll get to experience the same-room roommate situation (siblings aside). The vast majority of people I know–the vast, vast majority–had roommate experiences ranging from good to excellent. The few who had negative experiences still learned from them (though I can’t honestly say that all were grateful). The majority of those I know who chose singles for their freshman years appreciated having their own space, but also felt that they missed out on something. These are just generalities, of course, but hey…there ya have it.</p>
<p>If I’d been given the option, I think I would have chosen a single for my freshman year. I love my own space and it was difficult for me to imagine living with a stranger. My freshman year roommate and I ended up being incredibly close friends and the whole experience was wonderful. We continued to live together as sophs and ended up basically not speaking for the year. Both years were pretty important learning experiences, neither of which I’d trade. My junior and senior years, I had single rooms, and I certainly wouldn’t have traded those, either.</p>
<p>If you have the option to live with a roommate, and you don’t mind the idea of doing so (frankly, I’d advise you the same way even if you did), take advantage of it!!! As someone who’s used to sharing space, even if only with your brother, you’ll probably have a much easier adjustment than most. Enjoy a single room later in college.</p>
<p>Some things to consider:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Differences in dorm costs can (but won’t necessarily) lead to class stereotyping. What do you know about other differently priced dorms at your school? Is there possibly any stigma for kids in the “rich” or the “cheap” dorms? Are you looking at either? Do you mind?</p></li>
<li><p>If you opt for the single, are you at a school that will really encourage freshman bonding, getting to know people, etc., or will you have to fight for a social life?</p></li>
<li><p>If you opt for a roommate, are you at a school that will provide any support in case you don’t get along (mediation, room switching, etc.)?</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Good luck, whatever you choose…both dorms look great :)</p>
<p>ETA: It’s worth noting that most of those I know who’ve opted for freshman singles have done so either outside of suites, in dorms where most others are in doubles, or as part of suites where there are doubles. If everyone in the suite is in a single, maybe feelings of isolation would be less likely.</p>
<p>It’s a difficult and personal decision. I chose a roommate the first term and got along with her extremely well and quite enjoyed sharing a room. However I opted to move to a single the next term for the privacy and space (I found space to be by far the biggest issue).</p>
<p>The first for sure. If your going to spend that much on a suite, you should at least have your own room.</p>
<p>I’m kinda curious–why do you want a suite?</p>
<p>I had not roommate freshman year, and I don’t feel like I missed out on anything. I had a roommate later on, and even though she was a perfectly good roommate, I wish I had a single that term. I would definitely say go for the single!</p>
<p>If you intend to bring the opposite (or same) gender back to your room, not having a room-mate makes life easier.</p>
