The Roommate Pairing Process

Great care is taken to match every new student with his future roommate. Below you'll find more insight on how the process works.

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Q: Who assigns roommates?

A: The admission office works with the dean of students’ office to pair new students. Because the admission office gets to know each student through the admission process, they can provide the dean of students' office with information about a boy's likes and dislikes. Additionally, every new student will fill out a short roommate preference form about his living habits to help aid the school in matching boys appropriately. 

Q: What types of questions are on the form?

A: Each question is designed to tell us more about a boy's personality and habits. It's important to answer the questions as honestly as possible. Although the form may seem simple, it is a predictive tool that can help minimize any potential conflicts. 

Q: When will I know who my roommate is?

A: In August you will receive more information about who your new roommate will be. This information will come via email.

Q: Who will help roommates work through any disagreements that may arise? 

A: Woodberry's prefects are all sixth formers (seniors) who have been trained to assist with dorm supervision by mediating conflicts amongst their peers. Prefects live on every dorm, and peer-to-peer mediation is the first way a disagreement may be dealt with. A student’s advisor can also work with boys to help resolve conflicts, as can members of the dean of students’ office.

Q: How do you select roommates after the first year?

A: After their first year at Woodberry, boys are able to select their roommate and request the dorm that they’d like to live in. Requests need to be approved by the dean of students office, but more often than not, those requests are honored.