Housing At Carleton

I definitely remember being nervous about dorm living as a prospective student but don’t fret. What dorm will I be assigned? Will I get along with my roommate? What do I pack?

These are all questions I remember asking myself when thinking about college living. Luckily, the answers aren’t (usually) that scary! As a freshman, I’m currently living a great dorm, Goodhue, which I wrote about in an earlier post; you can read it here if you want to learn more.

The First-Year Rooming Process

The rooming process begins during the summer after you are admitted. A survey with questions about living preferences such as your usual bedtime and social comfortability is sent out and used to match roommates. As long as you are honest about your habits and what kind of roommate you are looking for the questionnaire is a reliable way of finding a roommate.

In the questionnaire, there is also an option to select if you prefer to live on a substance-free floor, a quiet-floor, an all-freshman floor, and other options. Freshmen don’t get to choose where they live, but we do get some say in living condition preferences. Later in the summer, you will be assigned your dorm and be given your roommate’s contact information!

Housing Options

Although freshmen don’t get to choose where they live the first year, Carleton has tons of different living options available. There are traditional dorms, interest houses, townhouses, and even the option to live in Northfield as a senior!

Interest houses are awesome for building a community around shared values or a common theme and are even a great option if you’re passionate about exploring an interest. I’m thinking about applying to the CANOE or Farm house for next year! CANOE is for students who love the outdoors and it is also a club on campus that usually offers student-led trips. Farm is for students interested in sustainable living and members plant and tend to Carleton’s organic garden.

There are also so many dorm living options available at Carleton, and seniors can live in private apartments in Northfield. Also, one pro-tip: Cassat has heated floors. Overall, I think it’s important to keep in mind that everything works out and there is always support available if you need to make a change in your living situation.

Ben is a Michigander and freshman at Carleton who is curious about everything but particularly interested in Psychology and Neuroscience. He also plans to study Norwegian at St. Olaf. Outside of classes, he enjoys playing Appalachian music on the mandolin, reading, cycling, and spending as much time in nature as possible. Meet the other bloggers!