Noah 
While the internet is chockfull of “roommate gift idea” lists, to find the perfect gift for your roommate, you’ll need to go beyond the anonymous online lists and think about who your roommate is and one they would appreciate most. Follow these 5 simple steps to find the perfect gift for your roommate: What are … Read more
No one wants to be in an uncomfortable living situation, and most people don’t want to put another person in an uncomfortable living situation, either. But being a good roommate doesn’t always come naturally—especially at college, where you’re potentially living with a stranger for the first time in your life. To be a good roommate, … Read more
Yes! At almost every college, you should be able to request who you room with. If you don’t already know one—or know anyone you’d want to spend a whole year living with, at least—you can use your university’s roommate matching system. In some cases, colleges may decide not to give you your “chosen” roommate(s), usually … Read more
Unless you have special circumstances, there is no guarantee that you will be able to live without roommates in college. However, you can try a few techniques to increase your odds of getting a single dorm room. To try to avoid getting college roommates, you should: Why do colleges force you to have a roommate? … Read more
In college, you’ll need to flex your boundary-setting skills more than you ever have before. Personal space is (more or less) out the window, so let’s turn our attention to something nearly as important: your belongings. How should I split expenses with my college roommate(s)? According to the National Retail Federation, the average students spends … Read more
Your college roommate can be your best friend for life—or the thing that ruins your college experience. Thankfully, if you and your roommate don’t get along, there are things you can start doing today to improve your situation. Studies have shown that a good roommate can lead to a better social life, better quality of … Read more
For many, your college roommate is going to be your introduction to living with strangers. Not just meeting strangers, not just hanging out with them, but living with them. You don’t need us to tell you that living with someone else is a high wire act. Over time, people get comfortable, drop their social graces, … Read more
The first day went great. You’re unpacked (well, mostly) and are worn out from a long day of exploring campus and meeting new people. You’re in bed, half asleep, dreaming of the scholastic adventures to come this semester—when you suddenly snap awake. An animal is dying across the room! A whole pack of them! Oh, … Read more
Yes, you can potentially switch your college roommate or dorm room. However, it is usually not easy. Schools purposefully make it hard to switch roommates. If they made it easy, it would be a logistical nightmare. Furthermore, they believe it would teach their students to run from problems rather than solve them. If you’re serious … Read more
The college essay is one of the most consequential papers you will ever write. A study of 250 top schools found that, on average, the college essays are weighted to count as 25% of your total application—second only to your extracurricular profile and ahead of your grades/transcript. To write an effective personal statement, you must … Read more