Lost in the Housing Lottery

Fill in the blank:
Dear [Abby/DCL/Mommy!!],
My lottery number is [high/low], meaning that [I NEED a pull-in/I suddenly have 2000 new friends asking for a pull-in]. Not only that, but my friends [have other housing plans/are not good best roommates]. What do I say to them?!
Sincerely,
Lost in the Lottery
 
Sound familiar? It’s housing lottery time, and as you can see, no matter what your number is, it’s stressful. Once you bring your friends into it, your housing dilemmas can get even more complicated. Here are some common problems and some simple solutions to get you through the week and on to your meeting with DCL.
 

You have a high number and want to live on-campus, but don’t want to grovel at the feet of all your friends.
Don’t fret—a high number isn’t the end of the world. Casually ask your close friends what their plans are, but don’t force them to change their plans for you. That’ll create way more tension than you want. But if you’re lucky, maybe you can sneak into a suite or get pulled-in. If that doesn’t work, ask around to see if anyone is looking for a roommate to fill an apartment off-campus. Living off-campus might not be your first choice, but if you live with a few friends or acquaintances, it won’t be so bad and it might even be fun.
 
You have a low number, your friends are begging for a suite, but you know they’re not going to make good roommates.
You’re taking organic chemistry next year, and the last thing you need is to live in The Suite That Never Sleeps. Even though you could easily pull your friends in with your number, you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your own needs for them. If you think that your friends’ living habits will get in the way of your life, opt for your own space in a single room somewhere. Yes, you might temporarily disappoint your friends when you tell them that you’ll be living alone next year, but you’ll be saving yourself and them the year-long drama that comes from living with incompatible roommates.
 

You want to live in a suite, but your friend group is way larger than the suite.
First off, remember that your rooming situation won’t determine who your friends are. Don’t think you’ll lose touch with someone outside your suite, and don’t think that you’ll always get along with everyone in your suite. With those two sides of it in mind, choose roommates whom you think have similar living habits to yours. And choose people you get along with. When you live with someone, you’re going to see her much more than you ever imagined, so it can be wise to choose a friend you know well already.
 
Chances are you’re going to disappoint someone with your housing choice. But when it comes to talking to your friends about it, just be straight with them. If you need a quiet space, say that. If you can’t afford Ridgewood, suggest a cheaper alternative. And if you have your heart set on living off-campus, remind your friends that you’re excited for the experience, despite the fact that you got a low lottery number. Your friends’ disappointment will only last a few days, but your rooming assignment will last for two semesters. So choose wisely.