Undergraduate Room Selection

In-House Process

  • What is the In-House Process?
    • The In-House Process is for current Penn students that are interested in returning to the same College House and their prospective roommates.
  • Where can I apply to live during the In-House Process?
    • Harnwell, Kings Court English, Fisher Hassenfeld, Harrison, Riepe, Hill, Rodin, and Ware College Houses as well as Sansom Place West will have room availability during the In-House Process.
    • If you are interested in Gregory, Du Bois, or Stouffer College Houses, please see the Residential Programs page.
  • Am I eligible?
    • You must be a full-time undergraduate student in a degree granting program.
    • Students can form a group of 1-4 people to apply for the In-House Process. 
    • At least 50% of your group must be residents of the House you are applying to live in.
  • How do I form a group?
    • Students are able to form a group of up to 4 people.  If you are applying as a single applicant you must create a group of 1.
    • Make sure that you all agree on the type(s) of room(s) you are willing to live in.
    • Select a Captain for your group.  The Captain must be a resident of the House you are applying to live in.  Select a Captain who will be available during the selection dates and times.
  • What is Gender Neutral Housing?
    • Both male and female students can comprise a group if they all elect to be part of a gender neutral housing group.
    • Students that are interested in Gender Neutral Housing must select “yes” when asked if they are interested in gender neutral housing. 
    • When you opt to become a gender neutral group your room selection gender becomes N (neutral).  You can only select rooms with other gender neutral students.
    • If you wish to change your room assignment gender at any time after the application closes you will need to contact the Assignments Office.
  • How do I apply for the In-House Process?
    • To apply for the In-House Process log on to My Home At Penn between February 3, 9AM, and February 7, Noon, to submit your application. 
    • The Captain must apply first, create a group name and password, and share this information with group members.  Group members must apply and join the group.
    • Once all members have joined, the Captain returns to the application to “Verify” the group.  This step must be completed or a selection time will not be issued.
  • How does prioritization of groups occur?
    • House Deans will assign each current House resident points.  Groups with the same point total will be randomized to determine your order.  Please speak to your House Dean if you have questions on how points are assigned.
  • How do I select my room?
    • Each group will be assigned a selection time. 
    • The group Captain will need to sign in and select a room(s) for the group.
    • There will be a link on the Residential Services website that will have an updated list of rooms that are still available as well as the number of groups that are still waiting to select.  Prepare in advance for your selection time!
  • What is the difference between priority and general selection?
    • During priority selection:
      • Priority selection occurs first and provides the best opportunity for your group to select desired rooms.
      • Priority selection allows full groups to select rooms ahead of partial groups. 
      • Only the Captain can select a room(s) at or after the group’s appointment time.
      • The Captain may place group members in one or multiple rooms.
      • The Captain must fill any room selected.  Example: Groups of 4 may be placed in a quad, 2 doubles, a triple and 1 single, etc.
      • All group members must be assigned a bed.
      • If a captain cannot/does not select rooms during priority selection any group member from the House may select their own room during general selection.
    • During general selection:
      • Most process rules are lifted during general selection.
      • There are no assigned selection times.
      • The Captain may still assign rooms to group members.
      • OR, individual members may select a bed for themselves (and their roommates).
      • During In-House, non-House residents may not select a room on their own.
      • There is no “fill room” rule.  Members may assign themselves to any available bed.
  • What are the important dates and deadlines?
    • February 3:  Applications are available beginning at 9AM.  To complete your application go to My Home At Penn.
    • February 7: Applications must be submitted and groups verified by Noon.
    • February 15, 3:00PM – 19, 11:59PM: Priority Room Selection.  While selection times will be assigned between 3PM and 8PM, the process remains open 24 hours.
    • February 20, 9AM – 21, Noon: General Room Selection.  No selection times are assigned.
  • How do I cancel my room assignment?
    • Once you are assigned a space you can cancel your room space at My Home At Penn and a cancellation fee will apply.

Click Here for step-by-step instructions for completing your In-House Application. Instructions for selecting your room during Priority Selection or General Selection can be found by clicking on the appropriate link.