How Many Students Can Live in A Dorm?

If you’re applying for college, one of the things you might be the most excited about is living in a dorm.

There are multiple dorm room types. You can’t just estimate how many people would be able to live in one. The spaces tend to be small, so even if it was enough for two people, it would feel crowded.

The different types of dorm rooms you will come across are discussed below. Let’s get to it.

Single Rooms

Typical single dorm rooms are 100 square feet. They are offered at almost all colleges. However, they can be hard to secure – a lot of students would want a private room of their own. Campuses give priority to students who absolutely require privacy.

The beds in these rooms are twin beds. They usually are 36 inches wide and 75 inches across. Imagine how it would be to have more than one of these beds in a 100 square foot space.

Double Rooms

These rooms are designed to host 2 twin beds. Double rooms are around 190 square feet. You might be assigned a bed. But most of the time, you’ll have to decide with your roommate.

Triple Rooms

Some dorm rooms are big enough to house three single beds. Not all colleges offer them, and some don’t offer triple-rooms in certain years.

Suites

You might be lucky and get housing in a suite. How many people can live in a suite together? Most are designed to house 2, 4 or 6 people.

In a suite for 2 people, there would be 2 separate rooms connected by a hallway. For a suite for 4 people, there would be 2 double rooms connected, and a suite for 6 people would have 3 double rooms.

You’ll be sharing amenities with the others. This would be the kitchen and bathroom.

What Dorm Rules Would be in-Place?

Now that you’re aware of how many people you will be living with, you might want to know the rules you have to follow. More conservative colleges have strict dorm rules.

The person enforcing the rules would be your Residential Assistant. If he or she is strict, dorm life could be hard.

Related:

No Fire Hazards

If there is a fire in your room, not only will yours’ and your roommate’s live be in danger, but you’d be risking everyone living in the building too.

Certain fire hazards may be banned. Hot plates, coffee machines, candles and anything with burners on.

Quiet Hours

You’re at college to further your education, so studying should regularly be done. This won’t be possible if everyone’s loud – there would be quiet hours to help people get their work done.

No Pets

Some dorms let you keep pet fish. But having a dog or cat may not be allowed. Remember that you’ll be living with someone else. They could have allergies. Keeping a dog in a small space won’t be humane – it needs space to run around.

You’ll be leaving the room at the end of the year. The pet may have caused damages or left behind stains that you have to pay for later.

Substances

If you’re not 21 years yet, there is no way you’ll be able to have alcohol in your room. If you go to a religious university, or one that has strict rules, there is a chance that you might not be able to have alcohol even if you’re of age.

Let’s say you’re over 21 and your dorm lets you have alcohol on the premises. You shouldn’t drink outside your dorm room. It would be a public space which would technically be illegal.

Limited Visitors

Are you going to a same sex university? Having someone of the opposite gender over may not be permitted. If he or she is allowed, there may be specific visiting hours.

No Nails

You’ll basically be living on rent. As a tenant, you’re supposed to take good care of where you’ll be living. That’s why colleges aren’t fans of students nailing things to the walls – there would be permanent holes. Placing thumb tacks may be allowed, though.

Should You Live on Campus?

Living in a dorm comes with multiple benefits, but there are some difficulties you’ll face. The pros outweigh the cons – you can create memories and have an opportunity to grow. However, living on campus can be expensive. It’s clear that such steep rates are only charged so that colleges can make money.

You don’t have a say in the roommate you’ll be getting. There is a real possibility that the two of you won’t get along. Living off campus would let you decide who you want to live with.

Speaking of who you’re living with, you may be a fan of living alone. Snagging a single dorm room can be hard. You’ll need to provide the university with a very good reason why you want privacy.

Although quiet hours would help you study, the others on the floor may make a lot of noise at other hours. Dorms sadly are notorious for having thin walls.

Another major disadvantage is the rules you’ll be living with. If the RA enforces the rules heavily, living in the dorm would especially be hard.

Getting out of living on campus can be hard. Many colleges make it compulsory that you live in their dorms for 1-2 years.

If you have a family member living near campus, you could get an exception and live with them. Don’t have family nearby? Rent a space and have family lie and say that it’s their home.

The number of people who can live in the room depends on the type of room you get. A suite would be the best.

There would be separate living spaces connected by a hallway, while you’ll be sharing a bathroom and kitchen. Suites can house up-to 6 people and there would be 3 double rooms. In general, only one person can live in a typical dorm room.