Incoming First-Year Students

The Application for New Students will open April 1, 2024.  Students should apply before the priority deadline for placement on May 15, 2024.  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 your housing portal. Visit the housing portal page 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.

2024-2025 first-year housing locations

*Locations are subject to change.