Key Takeaways
- Before requesting your dorm room, decide what type of housing best fits your lifestyle and preferences—a traditional single or double room, suite style, or apartment style.
- It’s important to understand how the dorm request process works at your school and know your preferences beforehand. While some will go by orientation dates, others will go by housing forms, so don’t wait until the last minute.
- Know that colleges will try their best to get you the dorm you want, but factors like availability, class year, and roommate forms can all influence whether you get your first choice.
It’s time to select your dorm room, and you want to make sure you get your perfect room in the right location. Totally understandable. However, requesting dorm rooms might feel a bit stressful, especially if you aren’t sure how it works. We’ve put together this guide with everything you need to feel ready for move-in day—from the types of dorms you can request, to tips for getting the best room for you.
What Types of Dorms Can I Request to Choose From?
When you hear “college dorm,” your brain might jump to lofted beds and (extremely) tiny closets. And while that’s not wrong, there’s actually more variety than you might expect. Here are some of the different dorm room options that are available to you:
Singles & Doubles With Shared Bathroom
This is your traditional setup with two beds, desks, closets, and a shared hall bathroom for the entire floor.
Here’s an example room:
University of Florida | Double, Graham Hall
Suite Style
This is typically a two-person, four-person, or six-person suite with a shared bathroom among roommates. Some suites might also have a shared living area.
Here is an example room:
University of Miami | Double Suite, Pearson Residential College
Apartment Style
These are full apartments owned by the college. You’ll likely have your own room with a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living area. These apartments often come furnished, so you won’t have to worry about finding every piece of furniture.
Here is an example:
University of South Florida | Single Bedroom 4 Person Apartment, Cypress Apartments
How Does Requesting Dorm Rooms Work?
Before you pick your dream dorm, you need to understand how the process works at your school. Not all colleges and universities will follow a single formula when it comes to selecting rooms.
- Some colleges will ask you to rank your dorm choices as soon as you accept their offer to attend.
- Others will ask you to choose during your summer orientation.
- And then there are some that will select your dorm for you, which isn’t always ideal—but it does take the selection process out of your hands.
It’s important not to assume that the process is the same at every college. The selection process should be outlined in your acceptance letter or on the website. Be sure to read up and understand when dorm selection opens, how the process works, and when it closes. If you have any questions about the process, you’ll want to reach out as soon as possible to get clarification.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute
This might be the most important tip to remember. The earlier you take action, the better your chances are of getting the dorm you want. Unfortunately, waiting until the last minute will often result in you getting a less-than-ideal room, and any preferences you have will not be taken into account. Some dorms fill up fast, especially high-demand buildings that are close to exciting amenities on campus.
If your school uses orientation to select housing, try to attend one of the earlier sessions. Getting the best dates for your introduction to the school could equal a great dorm room, plus an excellent schedule with all the classes you wanted for your first semester.
Choosing the Best Dorm Room for You
While housing options vary from school to school, they could also vary from dormitory to dormitory on the same campus! Before selecting your dorm room in college, you should take the time to understand what options you have available and what will make your day-to-day life more enjoyable.
Ask yourself:
- Would I prefer to be closer to the gym or my classes?
- Is it important to me to have a quiet study space?
- Would I rather live in a co-ed dorm or a single sex one?
- Am I okay with a common bathroom, or would I prefer a private or shared suite bathroom?
- Is it important to have a common area where I can hang out with friends or lounge?
- Am I bringing my pet to school, and does the dorm allow pets?
How To Fill Out Your Dorm Request
Before you submit your request, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- Roommate Preferences: Do you want to room with a friend or someone you’re at least familiar with? Or are you wanting to meet someone new? Many schools allow you to request a type of roommate.
- Living Style: Are you wanting your own space, or would you like to share a room? Does living in a suite interest you?
- Amenities: List everything that is important to you. Do you want an in-room sink? A building close to the dining hall or classes? An in-building laundry room? Knowing your preferences ahead of time can help narrow down your options.
Be Open-Minded About Your Preferences
Many schools will take your preferences into account and do the best they can to accommodate what you want. For instance, if you’d rather live in one particular dormitory, they will try to place you there as long as it is open to your class year. However, you should note that not all preferences can be met, even though you have specific desires for your dorm—and that’s okay! What matters most is how you make the space your own. Hang lights, bring your favorite pillows, put photos on the wall—get creative. Your dorm can still feel like your space, even if it isn’t your first choice.
What Affects Your Chances of Getting Your Top Choice?
You’ll definitely have a lot of options to review before you make your decision on a dorm room. But it’s important to note that there are a few things that can affect whether or not you get your desired dorm placement:
- Class Year: Some housing options are only for upperclassmen and may not be available to first-year students, and vice versa.
- Roommate Matching: If you are requesting to room with someone, note that their form will also need to match yours.
- Special Housing: Some schools may have dorms reserved for specific groups, like honors students or student athletes. Make sure you look into each dorm before trying to request a room.
Don’t Just Request Your Dorm—Prepare!
The most important thing when it comes to selecting your dorm room for college is being prepared. You should know exactly what you want before you even get started—and well before the “due date” for dorm selection. Waiting can be costly and may result in you getting a less-than-ideal room. If you’re ever confused about how dorm selection works at your college or need further information, make sure to reach out to your college ahead of time. College is full of surprises, and your dorm room is just the start!
Do you want to learn more about what a school offers when it comes to its housing and campus? Every one of our school profiles has a section on “Campus Life.” Be sure to use our College Match tool to compare schools’ offerings!
