<p>I just wanted to share my anonymous story with yall as you begin to consider college and housing offers for next year. It doesnt matter which college I actually attend, as these two pieces of advice will apply for most schools. </p>
<p>As incoming first year students, you will have generally three options: to live alone in a single, to live together with a friend who you either know or communicated with online, or to live with a random student. Like many others, as a high school senior I had heard of at least one pair of friends who started out close, became roommates, and then grew to dislike each other. For this and other reasons, I decided to choose the third route throughout my collegiate years. I am telling my story today to encourage all of you to avoid this option of having Housing select random roommates for you. </p>
<p>Like in previous years, this year I again selected random housing. Unlike previous years, I was randomly assigned to live with a cigarette-smoking, underage alcohol drinking, sexually promiscuous lesbian whose diagnosed bipolar disorder is so severe that she requires an accommodations list and who has previously spoken about killing me (by the way I'm not actually making this up -- the info is either something she said, her friend said, or easily inferred from her diction). When I complained to my colleges Housing Office and showed them the evidence, I was informed that personality differences are something that the resident advisors will help you resolve next year. I understand that underage drinking is generally socially accepted in college. I also understand that a persons sexuality is something that another individual should be understanding and respectful of, and that one should also be sensitive to individuals with mental illnesses when there is no chance of physical injury to others. What I dont understand is why heavy smokers should be allowed to live with non-smokers (even if they have asthma or other respiratory conditions) and why mentioning physical harm to another person should be considered personality differences. </p>
<p>Do I sound bitter? Of course, but can you blame me? Its important to consider, however, that not everyone in the random student pool is going to be this type of person. In my first year, I was randomly assigned to live with a kind and humble Jefferson Scholar who was the polar opposite of horrible. Its just super unpredictable what type of roommate you will end up with. If youre willing to take a risk, then go for it. If youre not, then opting for a single or finding someone to live with (through facebook or real life) should be your best bet. </p>
<p>Also, another interesting tidbit that I wanted to mention: its well known that you are not allowed to double deposit (put deposits down at two different schools). It's not as known that you are allowed to put down a deposit at UniA, change your mind, withdraw your commitment, forgo your deposit, and put down a second deposit at UniB before May 1st. An even lesser known fact is that youre still allowed to waive your right to your deposit after May 1st and put a deposit down at a different school. A few days after I put down my deposit (after May 1st -- I literally waited until an hour before the deadline to make my final decision), a student at the college I had selected was murdered by a fellow student. Shocked at this incident and self-doubting my choice, I contacted my other top picks, Duke and Chicago, explained my situation, and asked them if I would be able to still put a deposit down at their school if I decided to forgo the initial deposit I had put down at a different university. Chicago said that it was okay to still put down a deposit, wheras Duke said that all I had to do was fill out the commitment form and fax it in. D and C are great schools, but in the end, I do not regret staying at the first college I picked. Nonetheless, the ability to change your mind within a reasonable amount of time (can't wait until June, you guys) after May 1st might be something of interest to other people on this forum, especially for the people who may hold off on making their college decision until the last minute.</p>