Now, with a firm grasp on what you must have and what you cannot abide, you are ready to begin your search for the ideal roommate. The first and best place to begin your search is the UCLA Community Housing Office (east patio of Sproul Hall, 350 De Neve Drive, 310-825-4491.) Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; in the summer, the office also opens on Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Community Housing Office maintains "Share Rental Boards" which have information about apartments that are available and people who are looking for housing.

When you come into the office, ask for a Roommate Available form. It is helpful to tell a little bit about yourself in the space provided for "comments" so that someone looking for a potential roommate can make a judgment based on more than your name and phone number. This information is then posted on the listing boards for a period of 30 days. Besides posting your own notice with the Community Housing Office, you will probably want to contact several of the people who have posted listings advertising the type of accommodation or roommate you need.

Other resources for roommates may include the following:

Friends. Living with a friend has several advantages. You are probably familiar with many of each other's quirks so there are fewer surprises. You might have quite a bit in common. However, living with a friend may also have some disadvantages. It can be a quick way to end a good relationship. A friend may expect you'll do everything together, but seeing someone at classes, social hours and home may burn out your friendship. Everyone needs time to be alone, and sometimes friends have trouble understanding this. It's best to really weigh the pros and cons before you decide to live with your best buddy. People At Orientation. If you are just starting out at UCLA, this is a great place to look. Many of the people you meet there are looking for a roommate just as anxiously as you are. Residence Hall Acquaintances. About sixty percent of your fellow residents are not coming back to the residence halls next year, and one of them may just be the roommate you are looking for. People In Your Major. If you love Shakespearean sonnets, chances are you are not looking for a roomie who sleeps with a calculator. Most campus departments have their own free-for-all bulletin board which lists people looking for roommates. Check with your department office. Local Newspapers carry advertisements for roommates, apartments for rent, and bargain shopping listings. Best bets: Daily Bruin, Santa Monica Evening Outlook, and the Recycler.