The Ultimate Emory University Roommate Finder Guide: From On-Campus Matching to Off-Campus Adventures
Hey everyone! So, you got into Emory. HUGE congrats! That’s a massive accomplishment, & you should be incredibly proud. Now that the initial excitement has settled a bit, you're probably starting to think about the next big step: where you're going to live & who you're going to live with. Honestly, finding a roommate can feel just as daunting as the college application process itself. The right person can make your year, while the wrong one… well, let’s just say it can be a learning experience.
But don't stress! I've been through it, & I'm here to walk you through everything you need to know about finding a roommate at Emory. Whether you're an incoming first-year trying to navigate the on-campus housing system or an upperclassman looking for the perfect off-campus setup, this guide has got you covered. We'll dive into the official Emory processes, the best third-party apps, the social media scene, & some insider tips to make sure you find a compatible match.
Part 1: The First-Year Experience: Navigating Emory's On-Campus Housing
For most first-year students, living on campus is a rite of passage. It's how you get immersed in the Emory community, make your first friends, & enjoy the convenience of being close to classes & campus events. Emory has a pretty structured system for first-year housing, so let's break it down.
The MyHousing Portal: Your Official Starting Point
The first thing you need to do after you've submitted your admission deposit is to get acquainted with the MyHousing portal. It can take up to 48 hours for your access to be granted, so don't panic if you can't log in right away. Once you're in, you'll need to complete the housing application by the deadline, which is typically around June 1st. This is SUPER important because you won't be able to access the roommate matching tools until your application is complete.
The Roommate Matching Questionnaire
As part of the housing application, you'll fill out a detailed questionnaire about your living habits. This is your chance to be brutally honest with yourself & with the housing office. They'll ask about things like:
- Your sleep schedule: Are you a night owl or an early bird?
- Cleanliness: Are you a neat freak, or do you thrive in organized chaos?
- Study habits: Do you need absolute silence to study, or do you prefer some background noise?
- Social preferences: Do you plan on having friends over often, or is your room your sanctuary?
- Sharing personal items: Are you cool with sharing clothes & food, or do you have a strict "what's mine is mine" policy?
My advice? Be as accurate as possible. It might be tempting to present yourself as the "perfect" roommate, but that's not going to help you in the long run. If you're messy, say so. If you need eight hours of sleep in a pitch-black room, make that clear. The more honest you are, the better your chances of getting matched with someone who has a similar lifestyle.
The Roommate Search & Match Tool
Once your housing application is in, you can start using the roommate search & match tool on the MyHousing portal. Here's how it works:
- You can search for potential roommates based on the criteria from the questionnaire. It's best to start with just a few criteria to get more results.
- You can also search for a specific person by name or Emory email address if you've already connected with someone.
- To match with someone, you both have to request each other.
A pro tip: if you're searching for someone by name, make sure you know if they're using a preferred name in the system. It's usually easiest to search by their last name or Emory email to avoid any issues.
To Match or Not to Match: The Great Debate
Here's the thing: about 50% of first-year students at Emory go in "random" without pre-matching with a roommate. And honestly, that's not a bad thing! I know so many people who went random & ended up with their best friend. On the flip side, I also know people who chose their roommate based on a few Instagram DMs & then realized their living styles were completely incompatible.
Going random means you're trusting the university's algorithm to find you a good match based on your questionnaire responses. It can be a leap of faith, but it often works out well. Plus, it takes some of the pressure off you to find the "perfect" person.
If you do decide to search for a roommate, remember that you're looking for someone you can live with peacefully, not necessarily your new best friend. Sometimes, the best roommates are the ones you have a respectful, friendly relationship with, but you also have your own separate social circles.
Part 2: Life Beyond the First Year: Finding Your Off-Campus Crew
After your first or second year, you'll likely be looking to move off-campus. This is a whole new ball game, with a lot more freedom & a lot more responsibility. The roommate search becomes even more crucial when you're dealing with leases, bills, & shared living spaces like kitchens & bathrooms.
Emory's Off-Campus Housing Resources
Emory doesn't just leave you to fend for yourself in the Atlanta rental market. They have an official Off-Campus Housing website that's an amazing resource. Here, you can find listings for apartments & houses for rent, as well as a dedicated roommate finder tool specifically for the Emory community.
To use the roommate finder, you'll need to create an account with your Emory email address. Then, you can create a profile that other Emory students can see. You can filter your search by all sorts of criteria, including social & cleanliness habits, graduation year, gender identity, & even whether or not they're okay with pets. This is a great way to connect with other Emory students who are also looking for off-campus housing.
Popular Third-Party Roommate Finders
Beyond the official Emory resources, there are a bunch of websites & apps designed to help you find a roommate. These platforms are open to everyone, not just Emory students, so you'll have a wider pool of people to choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Roomsurf: This site is specifically geared towards college students & lets you create a profile & find matches based on a compatibility quiz. They have a dedicated Emory section, so you can easily find other students.
- MeetYourClass: This is another platform that's popular with incoming students. You can create a profile, filter by interests & housing preferences, & chat with potential roommates.
- Diggz: Diggz helps you find roommates based on your lifestyle, habits, & schedule. You can also find rooms for rent & entire apartments on their site.
- Uloop: Uloop is a comprehensive resource for college students, with sections for housing, roommates, jobs, & more. They have a roommate finder specifically for Emory students.
- uhomes: This site specializes in student housing & even has a roommate-matching service. They offer virtual tours & detailed information about different apartment complexes near Emory.
When you're looking for off-campus housing, one of the biggest headaches can be parking. Many apartment complexes have limited parking or charge extra for a spot. This is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Prked connects you with homeowners who are renting out their driveways & garages for parking. It can be a super convenient & affordable way to find a dedicated parking spot near your apartment, especially in a city like Atlanta where parking is at a premium.
Part 3: The Social Media Scramble: Using Facebook, Instagram, & More
Let's be real: a lot of roommate searching happens on social media these days. It's a great way to get a feel for someone's personality beyond a sterile questionnaire.
The Power of Facebook Groups
The first place you should look is Facebook. There are usually several groups for each incoming class, like "Emory University Class of 2028." Just search for your class year & you're bound to find a few options.
Once you're in, you'll see a flood of posts from other students introducing themselves & looking for roommates. This is your chance to put yourself out there! Create a post with a few pictures of yourself, your major, where you're from, your hobbies, & what you're looking for in a roommate. Be authentic & let your personality shine through.
You can also browse other people's posts & reach out to anyone who seems like a good fit. Don't be shy about sliding into someone's DMs! Just be respectful & start a friendly conversation.
Instagram & Beyond
Instagram is another popular tool for roommate searching. Many students will post on their stories that they're looking for a roommate, or they'll put a link to their bio with more information. If you find someone on a Facebook group, it's a good idea to check out their Instagram to get a better sense of who they are. Just remember that social media is a highlight reel, so don't base your entire decision on someone's curated feed.
Other apps like GroupMe can also be useful. Often, someone will create a GroupMe for a specific dorm or for people with similar interests, & these can be great places to connect with potential roommates.
Part 4: The Art of Choosing the Right Person: Tips for Compatibility
Okay, so you've found a few potential roommates. Now what? It's time to move beyond the initial "getting to know you" phase & ask the important questions. This is where you can save yourself a lot of future headaches.
The All-Important "Roommate Interview"
I know it sounds formal, but having a real conversation (or a video chat) with a potential roommate is crucial. Here are some topics you should definitely discuss:
- Cleanliness: What does "clean" mean to you? How often do you expect the common areas to be cleaned? Are you okay with leaving dishes in the sink for a day or two?
- Guests: How do you feel about overnight guests? How often is too often? Do you need a heads-up before someone comes over?
- Noise levels: What are your expectations for noise, both during the day & at night? Are you a light sleeper?
- Shared expenses: How will you handle bills & groceries? Will you split everything 50/50, or will you buy your own things?
- Schedules: What are your class & work schedules like? This can be especially important if you're sharing a bathroom.
- Conflict resolution: How will you handle disagreements? Are you someone who likes to talk things out right away, or do you need some time to cool off?
The Roommate Agreement
Once you've found someone you click with, it's a great idea to create a roommate agreement. This doesn't have to be a legally binding document, but it should outline all of the expectations you've discussed. You can find templates online, or you can just write up your own. This might seem like overkill, but trust me, having everything in writing can prevent a lot of misunderstandings down the road.
Part 5: Finding Your Place: Popular Off-Campus Neighborhoods
If you're looking to move off-campus, you'll need to decide where you want to live. Atlanta is a big city with a lot of different neighborhoods, each with its own vibe. Here are some of the most popular spots for Emory students:
- Decatur: This is a super popular area for Emory students. It has a great downtown square with tons of restaurants, bars, & shops. It's also easily accessible by the Emory shuttle or MARTA.
- Druid Hills: This is the neighborhood where Emory is located, so it's a great option if you want to be close to campus. It has a more residential, suburban feel.
- Virginia-Highland: Known for its charming bungalows & walkable streets, "VaHi" is a vibrant neighborhood with a lot of great restaurants & boutiques.
- Midtown: If you're looking for a more urban feel, Midtown is the place to be. It's a bustling area with high-rise apartments, museums, & a lively nightlife scene.
- Clairmont Road: There are a lot of apartment complexes along Clairmont Road that are popular with students. Many of them are on the Emory shuttle route, which makes for an easy commute.
Some of the specific apartment complexes that are popular with Emory students include Emory Point, Campus Crossings at Briarcliff, and The Druid.
Living off-campus often means you have more stuff than you did in the dorms. If you find yourself in a smaller apartment than you'd like, or if you're moving & need a place to store your things temporarily, Prked can be a great solution. You can rent out someone's garage, attic, basement, or even a closet for a fraction of the price of a traditional storage unit. It's a flexible & affordable way to get some extra space when you need it most.
The Bottom Line
Finding a roommate is a big decision, but it doesn't have to be a scary one. The key is to be proactive, honest, & thorough. Whether you're using Emory's official tools, scrolling through Facebook, or trying your luck with a third-party app, the most important thing is to find someone you can communicate with & respect.
Remember to trust your gut. If something feels off about a potential roommate, it probably is. Don't be afraid to ask the tough questions, & don't feel pressured to make a decision quickly. The right roommate is out there, & with a little bit of effort, you'll find them.
Hope this was helpful! Good luck with your search, & get ready for an amazing time at Emory. Let me know what you think in the comments
