[00:00.00]NARRATOR: Listen to a conversation between a student and an employee in the student housing office.
[00:05.29]MALE STUDENT: Hi. I'm a first-year student here, [00:07.64]I-I live in the dorms, and I… well, I like where I'm living now… [00:11.95]it's convenient and quiet, but I'm starting to think about where I want to live next year.
[00:16.06] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Good idea. As a second-year, you'll have more freedom to choose a place that suits your needs.
[00:20.80]MALE STUDENT: Yeah, and I want to make sure that, well, that I apply in time to get what I want. [00:25.45]And, um, a friend was telling me about these, uh—not quite sure of terminology] common interest houses on campus…?
[00:31.46] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Yes, we have a language house, a life science house, a music house—
[00:35.44]MALE STUDENT: Yeah, the music house! [00:36.81]That's the one I'm interested in. But, um, I’m not a music major; [00:40.16]I do play an instrument, but I'm a history major.
[00:43.02] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Oh, that's not an issue. [00:44.12]You see, that house isn't just for music majors. [00:46.77]It’s for anyone who’s interested in music.
[00:48.86]MALE STUDENT: But… isn't that everyone?
[00:50.62] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Well, maybe, but the house has a performance area and practice rooms. [00:56.21]So people who choose to live there need to be open to the possibility that there's always going to be someone playing something—an instrument, the radio… even at odd times.[01:04.56]You're pretty much always going to hear music there. [01:06.55]That might bother some people.
[01:08.05]MALE STUDENT: Doesn't bother me. And I'd love to have a place to practice my saxophone without worrying about disturbing people.
[01:13.65] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Well, it does sound like it might be a good fit for you. [01:16.73]And the house also functions as a social club.
[01:19.08]MALE STUDENT: I know they do activities, but I don't know much beyond that…
[01:22.31] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Well, for example, every month I think it is, there’s an informal concert…[01:26.75] any house resident can perform. [01:28.53]And remember the big jazz festival at University Park last month?
[01:31.65]MALE STUDENT: Of course! It was amazing—[01:33.66]the music was great! [01:34.77] Um, I-I didn't connect it to the music house.
[01:37.68] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: Not many people do. Anyway, they put on a whole range of other activities as well—[01:42.70]someone at the house could give you more information about those.
[01:45.26]MALE STUDENT: So, how do I… uh, what's the process for getting a room there?
[01:49.71] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: You need to fill out an application form and send it to the house director. [01:53.29]The form's on the housing department's Web site. [01:55.39]But don't get your hopes up too high—[01:57.53]they can only accept about thirty percent of the students who apply.
[02:00.94]MALE STUDENT: Oh wow, I had no idea…
[02:02.97] FEMALE EMPLOYEE: So, for your application… it needs to include a personal statement. You know, why you're interested in living in the house, how you might contribute to the group. [02:11.67]There are guidelines on the form. [02:13.00]That statement's really important because it's basically how they decide who to accept into the house
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