How to Find a College Roommate: 6 Essential Tips

College is an exciting opportunity, filled with new experiences. For many students, it’s their first time living away from home — and that can feel daunting.

While some schools allow students to live in single rooms, many require incoming first-year students to live with one or more roommates. In other cases, you may want a roommate to save money on living expenses as you attend school.

Living with a roommate can be a great way to make friends. It can also help you avoid feeling homesick.

But if you and your roommate aren’t compatible, your living situation can become uncomfortable and tense. It may even ruin your college experience! That’s why it’s important to find a roommate who’s a good match for you.

Explore our six tips below for finding an ideal college roommate — someone who can help make your college experience memorable for all the right reasons.

One of the easiest ways to find a roommate is to start with people you know. If you and your friends attend the same college, consider rooming together. You can also ask your friends if they know anyone else in need of a roommate.

Just because you get along well with someone, though, doesn’t mean you’ll be compatible roommates.

Consider friends with similar living habits as yours. If you value tidiness, for example, then a friend who never folds laundry or who leaves dirty dishes out will probably get on your nerves. Similarly, more laid-back students could quickly become annoyed with a roommate who’s constantly cleaning up or who goes to bed by 9 p.m.

Without a similar outlook — or clear communication on living expectations — rooming with a friend might end up ruining your friendship instead of bringing you closer together. Make sure to have conversations about your values, habits, and communication styles before you decide to move in together.

Whether or not you’re rooming with a friend, it’s helpful to write down a list of qualities you want in a roommate. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

Be sure to write down deal-breakers, too. If someone thinks it’s OK to borrow your clothes without asking or rolls their eyes at the idea of establishing a list of agreed-upon responsibilities (like a cleaning rotation), it’s reasonable to consider these qualities unacceptable.

Establishing lists of desired qualities and deal-breakers can help you narrow down potential roommates. But if you’re too picky, you might not find anyone who meets your criteria. Don’t hold out for a unicorn.

A roommate interview might sound intimidating, but it doesn’t need to be as formal as a college or job interview. These discussions allow you to chat with potential roommates to determine whether your living styles are compatible.

Consider these interviews informal while still sticking to an idea of what you want in a potential match. When preparing questions to ask, think about topics like the following:

You can schedule these chats in many ways. For instance, you could email or text a potential roommate. That said, you’ll likely learn more about your roommate chemistry and compatibility by hosting a face-to-face meeting or Zoom call.

Make sure to schedule these chats well in advance of college move-in day.

Facebook groups can help you connect with other students. Many colleges have Facebook groups for incoming students and for those seeking roommates.

You might also find Facebook subgroups created for each class year, various majors, or extracurricular activities and student clubs. Although these subgroups aren’t specifically for roommate-seekers, you might be able to find like-minded students who are also looking for roommates.

Be aware that not everyone on the internet has the best intentions. It’s important to have a conversation with a potential roommate, preferably through a video call or in a public place, to help you determine whether that person is trustworthy.

Similar to Facebook groups, roommate-matching websites can help you find a potential roommate through online forums. These sites have you create a profile and allow you to browse profiles of potential roommates. This purposeful approach may make it easier than using Facebook groups.

Some colleges use their own roommate-matching sites, while other sites remain unaffiliated with a specific school.

A few popular independent sites include the following:

Just like with Facebook groups, remember to vet potential roommates with an interview to ensure they’re a good fit.

Some colleges and universities offer themed dorms, often called living-learning communities. Schools create these spaces so students can live together based on common interests.

If you’re nervous about moving into a dorm for the first time — or if you’re naturally shy — a living-learning community could be a great way for you to connect with like-minded folks. Themed dorms are also a good way to meet and live with others who are passionate about a cause you care about.

Here are some examples of themed dorms: