As we start to work our way into the summer, Vox will be posting prefrosh previews. This series of posts (we hope) will be a helpful guide to starting your Georgetown experience as a freshman.

First off, Vox would like to extend a congratulations to all the members of the class of 2016 coming to Georgetown next fall.

Even though you don’t head to campus for a few more months, it’s already time for you to pick roommates. Our roommate matching service, CHARMS opens this morning. This guide is to help you figure out who you’ll be boarding with for the next year. In the comments, feel free to share your own roommate experiences and, freshmen, feel free to ask your own questions.

Be honest. I hope you told the complete truth on your CHARMS surveys. No matter what happens, you’ll be stuck with someone, so don’t feel the need to bend your preferences because you think it’ll make finding a roommate harder. If you go to bed every night at 9:30 listening to the Lion King soundtrack—not only will you find someone that’s okay with that—someone has three Lion King pillows and prefers to start the CD on “Hakuna Matata” instead of “Circle of Life.” You’re in a bigger place now.

Say too much rather than too little. Use the comments box and messaging feature liberally to explain your life habits. This will draw potential roommates to your page. Once you get out all those weird quirks on day one, there won’t be much more to hide!

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We’re about a third of the way through the summer. That means BBQs, beach trips, humidity, and, above all else, the rise of pre-frosh networking on Facebook.

You’ve been there. Adding everyone in the ‘Georgetown Class Of…’ group, chatting with kids you actually think will be your friends once you get on campus (and with whom you will end up awkwardly avoiding eye contact), and—of course—the frantic search for a suitable roommate.

CHARMS, that beloved roommate matching service, opened yesterday. As a courtesy to the incoming class, Vox has put together a guide for the future freshmen who wormed their way into our lovely corner of the Internet. We’ve got our tips below, but feel free to provide your own advice (or ask questions) in the comments!

Be honest. Casting a large net may seem like a good idea, but in the long run it’s a much better idea to tell the truth in your survey rather than try to seem like an excessively amiable person. If you don’t want to live with a smoker, don’t be afraid to say it! If you hate country music, say it loud and proud or risk ending up with a roommate who watches CMT exclusively.

Say too much rather than too little. As John Mayer would advise, say what you need to say. Don’t hold something important back because you think it might make finding a roommate harder. For instance, if you like sleeping with the light on, don’t leave that out because you think most people will find it a turn-off. It’s better to find someone who is okay with your quirks rather than create roommate conflict once you’re stuck with each other. Make use of the free response questions to give a broad and accurate portrait of yourself.  Let potential roommates know just what they’re getting themselves into if they choose to room with you.

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