8/10/25

Your Ultimate Guide to Finding a Roommate at BYU

Hey everyone! So, you’re heading to Brigham Young University. That’s awesome! Get ready for an incredible experience. But before you dive into classes, devotionals, & all the fun stuff Provo has to offer, there's one BIG thing you need to figure out: your living situation. And more specifically, who you're going to be sharing that living space with.
Honestly, finding a roommate can feel like a HUGE deal. The right person can become your best friend, your go-to study buddy, & your support system through the ups & downs of college life. Research even shows that a good roommate can positively impact your grades & overall well-being. The wrong one? Well, let's just say it can make for a very long semester.
Don't sweat it, though. I've been there, & I'm here to walk you through EVERYTHING you need to know to find a fantastic roommate at BYU. This is your ultimate guide, so grab a drink, get comfy, & let's get into it.

Before You Even Start Your Search: Know Thyself

Okay, before you jump onto any websites or start messaging random people, you need to do a little self-reflection. It's kinda like dating, but for a roommate. You need to know what you're looking for before you can find it. So, ask yourself some honest questions:
  • What's your lifestyle like? Are you an early bird who's up at the crack of dawn for a run, or are you a night owl who does your best work after midnight? There's no right or wrong answer, but you'll probably be happier with someone who has a similar sleep schedule.
  • How clean are you REALLY? Be honest here. Are you a "make your bed every morning" type of person, or are you more of a "I'll get to it eventually" kind of person? Cleanliness is a MAJOR source of roommate conflict, so it's important to be on the same page.
  • What's your social style? Do you want your apartment to be the go-to spot for all your friends to hang out, or do you prefer a quieter, more peaceful environment? Think about how you'd feel about having guests over, & how often.
  • What are your study habits? Do you need absolute silence to concentrate, or do you study better with a little background noise? This is a big one, especially during midterms & finals.
  • What are your values? This is particularly important at BYU. You'll want to find a roommate who shares your commitment to the Honor Code & has similar standards.
Once you have a good understanding of yourself, you can create a list of what you're looking for in a roommate. This will be your guide as you start your search.

The Official Route: BYU On-Campus Housing

For many freshmen, living on-campus is the way to go. It's a great way to meet new people & be close to all the action. BYU has a pretty straightforward process for on-campus housing & roommate requests.

The Housing Application

The first thing you need to do is fill out the housing application. You can do this even before you've been officially admitted to BYU. The application will ask you about your housing preferences & other details that will help them place you in the right spot.

Requesting a Roommate

If you already have someone in mind that you want to live with, you can request them as a roommate. Here's how it generally works:
  1. Log in to your My Housing Account.
  2. Go to the "Single Housing" tab & find the "Housing Agreement" page.
  3. Click "Edit" under "Your Roommate Request" & enter your preferred roommate's NetID.
It's a pretty simple process, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, your roommate request has to be mutual. That means the other person has to request you as well. Also, once you've both submitted your housing agreement with the roommate request, it can be a little tricky to make changes, so be sure you're both committed before you finalize everything.
If you don't have a specific roommate in mind, don't worry! BYU will use the information from your housing application to match you with someone they think will be a good fit.

Going Off-Campus: Your Guide to Finding a Roommate

For many upperclassmen & some freshmen, off-campus housing is the preferred choice. It offers a little more freedom & a chance to experience life in Provo outside of the campus bubble. But finding a roommate for an off-campus apartment can be a bit more of a wild west experience. Here are some of the best ways to find your perfect off-campus roommate:

Third-Party Roommate Finders

There are a bunch of websites out there specifically designed to help college students find roommates. These can be a great place to start your search. Here are a few of the most popular ones for BYU students:
  • Roomsurf: Roomsurf is a popular choice for BYU students. You can create a profile, answer questions about your lifestyle & preferences, & then search for other students who seem like a good match. It's a great way to get a feel for someone's personality before you even start a conversation.
  • Uloop: Uloop is another great resource for finding BYU roommates. You can browse listings for both on-campus & off-campus housing, & you can also create a profile to let people know you're looking for a roommate.
  • MeetYourClass: This is a newer platform, but it's gaining popularity. It's designed to help incoming students connect with their classmates, & it has a roommate finder feature that lets you filter by interests & housing preferences.
These sites are a fantastic starting point, but remember to always be cautious when you're interacting with people online. Never give out personal information until you've had a chance to get to know someone a little better.

The Power of Social Media

Honestly, one of the best ways to find a roommate at BYU is through social media. There are a TON of Facebook groups dedicated to BYU housing, & they are incredibly active. Just search for "BYU Housing" or "Provo/Orem Housing" on Facebook, & you'll find a bunch of options.
In these groups, you'll see posts from people who are looking for roommates, people who have a room to fill in their apartment, & people who are looking for someone to take over their housing contract. It's a great way to get a feel for the different housing options available & to connect with a lot of potential roommates in a short amount of time.
Here are a few tips for using Facebook to find a roommate:
  • Create a compelling post. Don't just say "Looking for a roommate." Tell people a little bit about yourself. What's your major? What are your hobbies? What are you looking for in a roommate? A little personality goes a long way.
  • Include pictures. If you're looking for someone to fill a room in your apartment, be sure to include pictures of the apartment & the room. If you're just looking for a roommate in general, you could include a picture of yourself so people can put a face to the name.
  • Be proactive. Don't just wait for people to message you. Scroll through the group & see if anyone's post catches your eye. If you see someone who seems like a good fit, send them a friendly message.

Don't Underestimate Word of Mouth

Sometimes, the best way to find a roommate is through people you already know. Let your friends, family, & ward members know that you're looking for a roommate. You never know who might know someone who's also looking. This can be a great way to find a roommate you can trust, since they'll come with a recommendation from someone you know.

You've Found a Potential Roommate... Now What?

Okay, so you've found someone who seems promising. What's next? It's time to get to know them a little better. This is a crucial step, so don't skip it! Here's what you should do:

The "Interview"

I know, "interview" sounds a little formal, but it's really just a conversation to see if you're compatible. You can do this over the phone, on a video call, or even in person if you're both in the area. Here are some questions you should definitely ask:
  • The basics: What's your major? What are your hobbies? What do you like to do for fun?
  • Lifestyle questions: What's your sleep schedule like? How clean do you like to keep your living space? How do you feel about having guests over?
  • Study habits: How do you like to study? Do you need a quiet environment, or do you prefer some background noise?
  • Deal-breakers: Are there any things that would be a deal-breaker for you in a roommate? It's better to know this upfront.
  • Honor Code: How do you feel about the Honor Code? It's important to be on the same page about this at BYU.

Trust Your Gut

At the end of the day, you have to trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is. You're going to be sharing a living space with this person for a while, so you want to make sure you feel comfortable & safe with them.

A Quick Note on Parking & Storage

Living in Provo, especially near campus, can sometimes be a bit of a challenge when it comes to parking. If you're bringing a car to school, this is something you'll definitely want to think about. Many apartment complexes have limited parking, & on-street parking can be hard to come by.
This is where a service like Prked can be a total lifesaver. Prked connects people who have extra parking spaces—like a driveway or a garage—with people who need a place to park. It's a super convenient & affordable way to find a dedicated parking spot near your apartment. So, if you're stressing about where to park your car, definitely check it out.
And while we're on the topic of space, let's talk about storage. College students tend to accumulate a lot of stuff, & sometimes your apartment just doesn't have enough room for it all. If you find yourself in that situation, Prked can also be a great solution for storage. You can rent out someone's garage, attic, basement, or even a closet to store your extra belongings. It's way more convenient & often cheaper than a traditional storage unit.

Finalizing the Deal

Once you've found your perfect roommate, it's time to make it official. If you're living in an off-campus apartment, you'll both need to sign the lease. Make sure you both read it carefully & understand all the terms & conditions.
It's also a good idea to create a roommate agreement. This isn't a legally binding document, but it's a great way to get on the same page about things like chores, guests, & paying bills. You can find templates for roommate agreements online, or you can just create your own.
Finding a roommate at BYU can feel like a big task, but it doesn't have to be stressful. By doing a little self-reflection, using the right resources, & asking the right questions, you can find someone who will make your college experience even better.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know what you think in the comments below. And good luck with your roommate search
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