> I think one of the most bizarre things we accept in life is college kids being forced into doubles and triples.
I went to uni. in the 70s in the UK. I never had to share. A few students at the same uni. did but it was almost always possible to move to a single room later in the year.
Do so many US students really have to share rooms, and if so why?
Yes, it's extremely common to share, especially in the first couple years. Many many colleges require students to live on campus freshman year and the provided housing is forced doubles (or even triples) and sometimes even temporary housing. As for why -- it's cheaper to stuff 2 or 3 students into 1 dorm room, obviously.
I went to uni. in the 70s in the UK. I never had to share. A few students at the same uni. did but it was almost always possible to move to a single room later in the year.
Do so many US students really have to share rooms, and if so why?