Complete housing apps

Overview

Most colleges require housing applications and deposits soon after your enrollment commitment. Deadlines often fall in early May; some are tied to your SIR date.

Typical Housing Timeline

• Early May: Housing application opens
• Mid-May: Priority deadline
• Early June: Standard deadline
• Late June-July: Housing assignments released
• August: Move-in

Application Components

• Personal information
• Roommate preferences (early bird, quiet, neatness, sleep schedule)
• Hall preferences (quiet, themed, honors, substance-free)
• Accommodations needs (disability, medical, religious)
• Housing deposit ($200-$500, typically separate from enrollment deposit)

Roommate Matching

School-Matched

Most schools match roommates based on questionnaire answers. You'll fill out:

• Sleep schedule
• Study habits
• Cleanliness standard
• Social preferences
• Music/media preferences

Self-Selected

Many schools allow you to choose a roommate:

• Use admitted student social media groups
• School-provided roommate matching apps
• Friends from home attending same school

Random Assignment

Some schools still do random (small number).

Questions to Ask Potential Roommates

• Sleep schedule (early bird, night owl)?
• Cleanliness standard (very neat, relaxed)?
• Noise tolerance (quiet, normal)?
• Guest policy (frequent, rare)?
• Alcohol/drugs (abstainer, moderate, heavy)?
• Weekend plans (home-away, socialize, study)?
• Temperature preferences?
• Smoking (outside, never)?

Special Housing Options

Honors Housing

• Often offered to honors college students
• Usually quieter, more academic environment
• Smaller communities

Substance-Free Housing

• No alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
• Some residence halls are designated

Themed Housing

• Academic theme (STEM, humanities)
• Cultural theme
• Language immersion
• First-generation support

Disability/Medical Accommodations

• Accessibility features
• Air conditioning (some older dorms lack)
• Single room for medical reasons
• Service animal accommodations

Cost Considerations

• Singles > doubles in cost
• Suites/apartments > traditional halls
• Location on campus matters (quad vs. far)
• Meal plan requirements vary

Financial Aid and Housing

• Housing is part of COA
• Financial aid may cover housing fully or partially
• Your aid package should show the breakdown

After Submission

• Confirmation email
• Roommate match sometime in June-July
• Assignment details in July-August

Move-In Prep

• Learn what's provided (desk, chair, bed)
• Check residence hall rules
• Prepare packing list
• Purchase essentials