neonblonde

is there another sort of survey we fill out to find a compatible roomate? I know a lot of colleges offer this. or is it totally random?

momonthehill

From what I recall from my daughter's experience last year, the only questions asked regarding housing preference were 1) her top three choices of residence halls and 2)if she was or wasn't a smoker. So, yes, it's a pretty random matchup process. Some other colleges do offer more detailed surveys regarding study/sleeping habits and other "lifestyle" type of issues. AU insists that "research has shown" that the more detailed quesionnaires don't guarantee a more compatible matchup, but IMHO it's an arguable point.

As for D, she was fortunate to matched up with a compatible roommate. Also, from what I've heard from her, once the school is under way, it's not that difficult to switch if there is really a problem between roommates that can't be worked out.

momaid

There is the option of roommate preference on the form also. Maybe you can find somebody on AU Link you can pair up with. You can email admissions if you aren't connected (son got email from them) with the group. However, I don't know how a profile match-up can be a bad idea: similar waking/sleeping times, music on/off while studying, visitors frequency,etc. Read this somewhere: in a random pairing, the roommates should sit down the first day to reach a common ground on a few important requirements, before they get to know each other more and are afraid of hurting each other's feelings...

hokiefan

You mean to tell me you they will just pair these kids up randomly? That is crazy. The reason my son isn't rooming with some friends from high school is he knows their sleeping/study habits are not compatable. So he will basically be thrown in with someone he doesn't know and may have the same problems. Are you sure there is no detailed survey? Actually we haven't received anything fromthe school since the deposit was made. Are we missing something?

momaid

You aren't missing anything. We emailed and found out that (registration?) packages will be mailed on or before May 23. However, registrar's website says general registration starts from April 28 (?). Also, it is more or less a random pairing unless you know someone already. I am with Hokiefan's indignation: esp. after looking at a rather detailed matching up in another much larger university. Maybe a student should start a 'roommate match' on AU Link now.
Can some experienced parent guide us as to the best time to register so there is a good choice of classes available?

saranac

Hi, I don't know if this helps, but this is what I know from my son's registration process. The reason for the different dates for registration is that upperclassmen register earlier - you register in the order of your number of credits earned - including AP credits, as an upperclassman. As an incoming freshman my son registered well after the first allowed date for freshen and had no problem getting his preferred classes. The introductory classes in particular have so many sections that they really don't fill up quickly.

regarding roommate selection, yes it is random. I thought that was pretty weird when I first heard about it but my son wasn't concerned so I didn't worry about it. It worked out. they said at orientation that they used to use an extensive survey and found it to be no more helpful than random selection. Again, I thought that odd but it worked out fine.

Hope that helps.

coolmango

It's true, you just select if you definitely want to be in a forced triple, which residence hall, and your smoking preference. For me personally, I got along better with my roommate that was randomly chosen for me, than the one I chose for second semester. I know of only one person who had to change roommates because they were absolutely incompatible. Your habits and preferences are going to change in college.