How to tackle housing selection

Photo courtesy of Geneseo.edu

When choosing a future dorm, feel free to take a walk around the campus and look at some of the buildings, such as Putnum which is known for its LLC communities. 

Up until Apr. 1, students can submit their housing applications for where they (and possibly some friends) would like to live on campus over the 2025-2026 academic year. It is important to carefully consider the different aspects of your plan for housing next year, as the environment you live in can significantly impact your day-to-day life. Below are some of our best pieces of advice for the housing selection process, as well as some things we leave in for your consideration.

1. Fill out the application information correctly'

   Ensure you read the guidelines for the different kinds of housing offered on campus. Certain housing options, such as the townhouse or any of the living-learning community (LLC) housing options, have some more specific procedures or requirements— such as townhouses requiring applicants to have achieved the ‘junior' or ‘senior’ credit status before being eligible to live in them. Double-checking these before you start the application process can help not only you but anyone you might be planning on living with from having to navigate missed paperwork or unfulfilled guidelines while the stress of the semester builds in numerous other ways.

   When it comes to the details of how to fill out the application, feel free to consult the Geneseo website. There, you can find a tab labeled “Housing Application Walkthrough,” which can help you with that very concern.

2. Think about North vs South campus

   While it is important to enjoy your building’s experience, such as how big the dorm is and whether it has a common room, it is equally important to think of the location of your dorm building. Make sure you have the right parking permits and are close enough to your building, while parking can make the smaller routines of your day all the more seamless. You should also try to stay close to your specific classes. For instance, are your classes typically closer to the north or south campus?

3. Make sure to know your roommates

   While I’m sure you have picked a roommate you enjoy spending time with, sometimes you don't really know a person until you live with them! We recommend finding a roommate with a matching sleep schedule for you. Are you gonna be going to bed early while your roommate stays up late, keeping you up, or the other way around? 

   It is also wise to have a roommate who is of the same cleanliness level as you. Make sure you both are comfortable in your living situation. If you tend to be clean, living with your messiest friends is probably not a good idea.

4. Have backups

   Certainly, some dorms on campus, such as Monroe or Seneca, can be a little more competitive. Having some fallback options is vital to ensure that even if you don't get your first choice, you still feel comfortable and appeased with the dorm you do end up in. 

   Part of working towards this guarantee will be to ensure you do your research beforehand. Looking into each housing option and details about the dorm's culture, such as whether it is a dorm that mostly houses first-years or if it is a dorm that allows co-ed rooming options, can better inform your fallback choices. Being knowledgeable to some extent on a wider variety of selections can help mitigate any anxiety over not ending up in the dorm you had planned and give you something solid to plant your footing on in this scenario.

With this, we wish you luck in your housing endeavors. Remember to do your research on the campus as well as with any potential roommates!