Rensselaer Polytechnic NROTC Roommate Search

Navypops

5-Year Member
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Jan 25, 2013
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To any NROTC students who have been accepted to RPI and intend to go: Maybe starting a forum for roommate pairings would be smart. Since the ROTC schedules are very different from the schedules of most students at Rensselaer, getting a roommate in NROTC might be a good idea. My son is just starting his housing request now and we are trying to find some kind of communication site that might allow NROTC participants to find a roommate. Just a thought and hope it leads to some good housing situations.
 
To any NROTC students who have been accepted to RPI and intend to go: Maybe starting a forum for roommate pairings would be smart. Since the ROTC schedules are very different from the schedules of most students at Rensselaer, getting a roommate in NROTC might be a good idea. My son is just starting his housing request now and we are trying to find some kind of communication site that might allow NROTC participants to find a roommate. Just a thought and hope it leads to some good housing situations.

Looking at RPI's housing site, they didn't indicate that you could specify a specific roommate. However, to the extent that you answer questions about being early to bed and early to rise, you are more likely to get a ROTC cadet pairing. You may also get a varsity athlete pairing, since some of them are up at the same (or earlier) hour for practice.

Perhaps the ROO may be able to give you a clue as to how you might contact other freshmen to coordinate dorm choice (perhaps through Facebook), at least getting you in the game.

That being said my daughter survived 2 years in the dorms (2nd year was a fall back after a roommate dropped out of school and an apartment lease at the last minute) with roommates who had nothing in common with her including schedule. Sleep is greatly overrated.
 
Thanks. Yeah, I figured that was the case. The RPI housing forms does have a roommate request section where you can put the name of someone might might want to room with. The other person has to put you in as their choice, too. Apparently they do make an effort to allow people to pair up. Just thought I would open up a dialog in case others are looking.
 
Yeah. I think your best bet is to contact the unit. Who knows? Maybe they have a list going already.

My DS did not have an NROTC roommate freshman year. The guy he roomed with seemed to come home when DS was getting up. Seemed to work out fine. He got an apartment with some NROTC buddies for sophomore year, but one dropped NROTC over the summer and the other dropped in September. Still working out OK and they'll all room together again next year.

I expect goaliedad is correct and merely indicating early to bed and early to rise is sufficient and all will work out in any case. I'm sure they allow you to change roommates if there are issues. It does have the added benefit of giving you an additional social circle outside of NROTC.
 
If you can request a specific dorm, check if there is a dorm that tends to be (not necessarily officially) affiliated with the unit. You might not get a roommate from your unit, but being in the same dorm could be just as good.
 
Thanks for the great advice. I think he will just put in the dorm he prefers and cross his fingers at this point. It is probably better to just get the form in early. I had such a horrible experience during my first year - roommate had horrible sanitary issues, etc. - but that's life sometimes!
 
Navy pops, I can't answer anything about NROTC (DS will be freshman AROTC at Siena, just across the river) but if you have any questions about Troy, send me a PM. Grew up there, parents still there and I return pretty often for hockey games ...
 
This is the message on the CU Boulder AROTC website: More colleges should do this.

Notice: Room with another ROTC Student. University of Colorado Boulder ROTC Cadet Housing Program

The University of Colorado Boulder (CU-Boulder), Housing, and ROTC departments are partnering to provide students enrolled/involved in the Army, Air Force, and Navy/Marine Corp ROTC programs with the ability to room with another ROTC student in the Residence Halls on the CU-Boulder campus. The purpose of this program is to make living in the Residence Halls more convenient, inclusive, and comfortable for Resident Cadets.

Interested? It's easy to sign up. When filling out the required CU-Boulder Residence Hall application, simply answer "yes" to the question in the questionnaire section regarding ROTC Cadets!! Be advised that requests to be housed with an ROTC roommate will be on a space available basis depending on when the request is made. If you have questions regarding this program, call our reps in CU-Boulder Housing and ROTC departments:
 
I agree it would be good if more colleges did this for those who want to go this path. At the same time I'm glad my DS did not have an NROTC roommate his freshman year as it helped him get established outside of ROTC as well. I'm glad he has a girlfriend this year so his entire life isn't consumed by ROTC but only a portion of it. As his girlfriend said in my presence while I was visiting last week, in response to some comment DS made, "You know, civilians are people too!" :biggrin:
 
kinnem, yes, very true. I think the only thing I have been a little worried about is the schedule (waking at 5-6 am for tests, exercise, etc.) I know my son does not want to disrupt the sleep time of anyone. When his alarm goes off in the morning, I am sure his roommates will have to hear it. But living with others outside ROTC is a good thing. Crossing my fingers that he will room with early risers and patient people.
 
kinnem, yes, very true. I think the only thing I have been a little worried about is the schedule (waking at 5-6 am for tests, exercise, etc.) I know my son does not want to disrupt the sleep time of anyone. When his alarm goes off in the morning, I am sure his roommates will have to hear it. But living with others outside ROTC is a good thing. Crossing my fingers that he will room with early risers and patient people.

Well, even if he is with early risers, they won't be getting up that early. DS and his roommate dealt with it fine and thousands of others have as well. I understand his concern and I hope it all works out just like he would want, but it will work out either way. Good luck to your son. RPI is a great school in a beautiful region.
 
Hey, great news. Turns out, RPI does a great job in pairing up ROTC students. My son found out he will be sharing a room with a Marine option ROTC student. Apparently, the information we send in is being carefully noted and I truly appreciate that hard work. Thanks to all who shared ideas, etc. regarding earlier posts. Good luck to all.
 
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