Private rooms will vary based on the school. At some colleges private apartment-like rooms may be available for older students who want quiet, private places to live while they earn their degrees. Other schools may offer students the option to buy out their double- or multiple-bedded rooms to make it a private room.
Qualification for a private dorm room will vary from school to school. In some cases you may need to be diagnosed with a medical condition or learning disability that requires a student to stay in a room solo. Other schools may require qualification based on age and credit level (such as senior standing). Check with your resident advisor for specific qualifications at your school.
You can apply for a private room directly through student housing. You may be put on a waiting list for a private dorm to open up. If you are in a room where your roommate decides to live off-campus or drop out of school, you may also be able to buy out the other bed to prevent getting another roommate. It is an issue you must discuss with student housing.
Keep in mind that staying in a private dorm can take away from the growing experience associated with living in a college dorm. Sharing a room with another person teaches you skills such as sharing a small space, working together to survive without parents, and meeting other people. In a private dorm, you may find it easier to exclude yourself from floor activities by closing your door for complete privacy at any time.
Though there are some negative effects of living in a private dorm, there also a variety of advantages. At times roommates may be loud and distracting, therefore those who wish to spend a lot of time studying may find living in a private dorm preferable. When living as a single, you do not have to worry about disturbing a roommate, or the potential roommate who borrows things without asking. You can live as you enjoy without having to worry about what another person thinks.