Incoming First-Year Students

The Application for New Students will open April 1, 2025.  Students should apply before the priority deadline for placement on May 15, 2025.  Note:  All applications received by May 15 will be processed at the same time; there is no advantage to rushing to complete the application.

This information will walk you through how to submit your housing application, understanding the application’s Terms and Conditions, and housing rates for the upcoming year.

All full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students are required to live in the residence halls their first year. This requirement does not apply to incoming transfer or incoming exchange students.

Incoming transfer and exchange students should complete the Continuing Student Application. The Application for New Students is intended for incoming first-year students who have never lived on campus previously.

New first-year and transfer students

The Housing Application will be completed through the WashU Housing Portal. Visit the Housing Portal for details on accessing the portal.

Read the terms and conditions

1. Thoroughly read and familiarize yourself with the presented Terms and Conditions. This housing application is a binding contract and the Terms and Conditions outline all rules and regulations of WashU Residential Life housing.
2. Later when completing the Housing Application, you will be asked to agree to the Terms and Conditions outlined in the above document. Students who are under the age of 18 will be required to have their parent or guardian agree to the Terms and Conditions on their behalf.
3. Create Your Application
4. The Housing Application has four required steps. Further details about each step can be found below.
5. Student & Emergency Contact Information
6. Room Rates & Preferences
7. Meal Plan Selection
8. Review and Submit
9. Optional: Roommate Search & Selection

Step 1: Submit Your Student and Emergency Contact Information

1. Entry status: Select your current housing status (new students are ‘Incoming First-Years’).
2. Gender: Please tell us the gender with which you identify. Then, indicate whether or not you would like to be assigned to a Gender-Inclusive room or suite. If you request this option, you will be assigned a bedroom or suite only with other students who also opted-in. These students may or may not identify their gender in the same way you do or hold the same gender identity as you.
3. Contact phone number: Please enter your cell phone number.
4. Special Housing Accommodations: Please indicate if you are submitting information that could affect your housing assignment. Learn More.
5. Email Address:  Verify or correct your address.
6. Select ‘continue’ to advance to the next step.

Step 2: Review Room Rates & Preferences

1. Room charges and preferences: Rank your preferences for housing, with ‘1’ being your top choice.
2. Personal preferences: Select the answer that is most accurate with your living habits. If you do not choose a mutual roommate, we will use this information to help make a roommate match if you are assigned to a double room.
3. Mutual Roommate (optional):  Roommate requests must be mutual.  Please list their full name (no nicknames, please) and their email address that they used through their WashU Pathway.
   • Important: Students may only request roommates with whom they intend to share a bedroom. We will not grant suitemate or floormate requests.
4. Comments:  This is your opportunity to tell us a little more about yourself.  Please note that your comments do become part of your permanent record.
5. Select ‘continue’ to advance to the next step.

Step 3: Meal Plan Selection

1. Meal plan options: Select a meal plan from the options. All students are required to have a meal plan. The plan you select will be added to your WashU ID Card. You will also be asked if you intend to seek dining accommodations because of a food allergy, food intolerance or other related disability.
2. Select ‘continue’ to advance to the next step.

Step 4: Review and Submit Your Application

1. Read through each section and make sure you fully understand the Terms and Conditions as they apply to dates of occupancy, room charges and room assignments. In many cases, this contract cannot be cancelled without a financial penalty. Please review our Room Cancellation Policy within the Terms and Conditions for full details. 
2. Cancellation: Check the box to indicate that you understand that the contract cannot be cancelled without a financial penalty.
3. Review/print application: IF YOU ARE 18 AND OVER: Click to review your application. Carefully read through every item to ensure that answers are correct. After submitting, you may change the preferences you indicated on your application through the end of May. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18: After reviewing your application and ensuring that answers are correct, select ‘signature’. A parent/guardian must then print their name and draw their signature in the window provided.
4. After reviewing, click ‘submit application’ to submit.

2025-2026 first-year housing locations

*Locations are subject to change.

Housing Accommodations

Housing Accommodations are determined by WashU Disability Resources. Approved accommodations are then implemented by Residential Life. Note, your housing placement will be assigned to fit the needs of your approved housing accommodation from WashU Disability Resources.

Students will receive notification of the decision regarding their Housing Accommodation from WashU Disability Resources through their WashU email, typically 2-6 weeks after submitting their request. Late requests will be placed in a space available as is.

Important rules for housing accommodations

• Students must still complete the Housing Application through their WashU Housing Portal to be considered for a placement in housing, even if they have already been approved for a housing accommodation.
• Being approved for a housing accommodation does not guarantee that you will be placed in your first-choice residential hall or with your preferred friends. WashU Disability Resources makes determinations regarding functional accommodations in housing. WashU Disability Resources is not involved in the process of assigning a student’s specific room or specific roommates/suitemates. This process is managed by WashU Residential Life and students will be notified of their specific room assignment separately.
• Students with an approved accommodation can have no more than 3 roommates. However, they can also apply as an individual. Applying as an individual does not guarantee a single room placement.
• Students who submit requests or appeals after the posted deadline may need to be placed as an individual, instead of with chosen roommates. Additionally, students who submit requests or appeals after the posted deadline may be placed on a waiting list for the next available room that meets their accommodation.

For questions to Disability Resources, please contact their office at 314-935-5970 or by email. They are located on the ground floor of Gregg House on the South 40. Their office hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

How to request housing accommodations

Please visit WashU Disability Resources for instructions on how to request accommodations.

Student Requesting a Renewal of Housing Accommodations: Students who currently have housing accommodations and are seeking to renew their accommodations should reach out to Disability Resources via email disabilityresources@wustl.edu to communicate their intention of remaining/residing in University owned housing for the upcoming academic year.

Please note: Regardless of eligibility for housing accommodations, students must follow all WashU Residential Life housing processes and procedures to secure campus-owned housing. Housing spaces are limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis. Neither the presence of a disability nor eligibility for a housing accommodation guarantees campus-owned housing, a specific location, or roommate.

Is it necessary to request housing accommodations?

• For dietary restrictions > No. WashU Dining Services works to support students with special dietary needs, this includes those with medically restricted diets and those with food allergies and intolerances. Dining Services is generally able to meet the needs of students requesting specialized meal plans so all students with special dietary needs are encouraged to work with dining services to make dining on campus enjoyable and safe. The process for requesting dietary accommodations is outlined on the Dining Services website.
• For transportation and Proximity to Academic Buildings > No. All on-campus residential buildings are considered to be within close proximity to academic buildings and other campus facilities. Students whose disabilities may limit their ability to walk and/or carry a heavy backpack for long distances are encouraged to utilize the Campus Circulator and/or Medical Escort Service when traveling across campus. More information about these options can be found on the WashU Parking and Transportation Services website.
• For Environmental Allergens > No. The university has conducted tests of environmental allergen levels throughout the Residential Life buildings. The results of these tests found that there is not a significant difference in allergen level between the various building types. To reduce exposure to environmental allergens, students are encouraged to follow the guidelines of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology by bringing allergen-proof fabric covers for bedding, a dehumidifier, and/or HEPA filter air purifier for use in their residence hall rooms.
• For distraction-Reduced Study Space > No. By nature, residential housing is not a distraction-reduced environment. Students are encouraged to explore the many study spaces throughout campus to find a quiet study location and are welcome to contact Disability Resources for recommendations.