Housing Guarantee FAQ
General
What is a housing guarantee?
A housing guarantee is our commitment to provide a housing offer to new fall freshmen and transfer students who meet the following guidelines:
A. Apply and pay the application fee by the deadline
B. Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) by the deadline
C. Keep housing application preferences broad (see housing preference section below).
Who is guaranteed housing and for how long?
Fall Freshmen Admits and students participating in the Fall Program for Freshmen (FPF)
Incoming fall admit freshmen are guaranteed a housing offer for 2 years provided that they adhere to deadlines and keep housing applications preferences broad (see housing preference section below).
Spring Freshmen Admits
Students admitted to the spring semester are guaranteed housing for their second year, but not their first.
Fall Junior Transfers are guaranteed a housing offer for 1 year provided that they adhere to deadlines and keep their housing preferences broad (see housing preference information below).
Housing Assignments
How is housing assigned?
Housing offers are not made on a first come, first served basis, rather according to a lottery number process. After each housing deadline date passes, applications are assigned random lottery numbers. Starting with lottery number 1, applicants are assigned to available spaces in each hall. As halls are filled and students' first preferences are not available, second preferences are considered and assigned as space permits. This process continues through the fifth preference. As halls fill, we may be unable to offer students any of their preferences (see Housing Preferences section below for further information).
Housing offers are sent by email according to the following schedule:
- Freshmen (fall admits) late May
- Transfer (fall admits) late June
- FPF (Fall Program for Freshmen) late July through August
- Spring Admits late November / early December
Housing Preferences
Do I have to put "any room size, any location" as my fifth preference?
We recommend that you include "any room size, any location" as your fifth housing preference for the best chance of receiving a housing offer. Students who do not indicate "any room size, any location" jeopardize their housing guarantee.
Every effort is made to honor your housing preferences (see Housing Assignment section above); however, room and hall assignments are made according to a randomly assigned lottery number system. If you do not mark "any room size, any location" as one of your preferences you may not receive a housing assignment. This may happen if you have a high lottery number and we are unable to offer you one of your housing preferences due to a lack of space in your preferred locations. If your preferences are not available when your lottery number is reached, we will not make you an offer at that time. Your name will remain on the waiting list for future contract offerings, but, you will no longer be guaranteed a housing offer.
What happens to my housing guarantee if I miss the application deadline or I am admitted late?
If you miss the deadline, your application will be placed at the end of the waiting list and you are no longer guaranteed to receive a housing offer. We make every effort to accommodate new students, but space is limited. You should contact the housing office directly if you applied late.
Am I guaranteed my first or second housing preference?
No. You are guaranteed that we will send you a housing offer. The offer location and occupancy is dependent on your lottery number and what is available when we reach your lottery number.
What if my intended roommate is guaranteed housing, but I am not? Will I receive an offer?
It depends on how many applications are received and how many incoming new students with a housing guarantee are admitted. We place a high priority on honoring roommate requests, however, our first obligation is to meet the housing guarantee. We will try to make you a housing offer with your roommate, but there is no guarantee.
I am a continuing junior. Do I get priority for the Channing-Bowditch or Wada apartments?
New transfer students and 3rd year continuing students receive priority for Channing Bowditch and Wada Apartments. Apartment offers depend on the number of applications received and how many incoming new students with a housing guarantee are admitted. We encourage you to apply but cannot guarantee placement.
Am I still guaranteed housing if I withdraw my first semester and I have never lived in the residence halls? What if I did live in the residence halls for a short while (before fall semester ended)?
If you were a fall admit freshman when you withdrew, you are guaranteed a housing offer for your second year if you adhere to the deadlines.