Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I apply for housing?
A: Once admitted, first-year students apply for housing online at the beginning of April by logging onto www.admissions.upenn.edu/decisions. Using the PIN sent by the Admissions Office, students are able to login and access their housing application through the “My Housing” link. (Students who lost their usernames may e-mail eapps@admissions.upenn.edu with a request for a new username and password.) In the application students will have the opportunity to apply for Residential Programs, select their College House and room type preferences, request a roommate, and identify any medical needs that require special accommodations. Those applications received by May 1 are processed first.
Transfer students apply for housing online at www.admissions.upenn.edu/decisions using the PIN sent by the Admissions Office. Follow the link to "My Housing" to access the application. Upperclass students who did not participate in the room selection process may apply at myhomeatpenn.upenn.edu. Information is available on the Residential Services web site.
New graduate students may complete and submit an application online at myhomeatpenn.upenn.edu.
Q: What is a Residential Program? How many freshmen live in Residential Programs?
A: A Residential Program is a smaller theme-based community within a College House. Most Houses have multiple programs. They range in size from 10-85 students. Refer to the Residential Program web site or College House brochure for more information. Approximately 700 freshmen live in Residential Programs.
Q: How are students assigned rooms?
A: Freshmen:
With the exception of those applying to live in a Residential Program, freshmen who apply by the deadline are assigned via a computerized lottery process. The program attempts to place students in one of their preferences. If no space is available that matches a student’s preferences, then s/he will be placed in any available room. Approximately 60% of students receive one of their top three choices. Students applying after the deadline are assigned on a space-available basis.
Students applying to a Residential Program are accepted and placed into programs by the College House Deans.
Upperclassmen:
The room selection process begins early in the spring semester. Students returning to their same College House have priority over students changing College Houses. While housing is not guaranteed, space is generally available on-campus if students are flexible in their room type choices. It is not uncommon for some students to be placed on a waitlist and accommodated throughout the summer.
Transfer Students:
Transfer Students are assigned on a rolling basis if space is available in one of their preferred room types.
Graduate Students:
Returning graduate students may reserve their rooms during a specified time in the spring semester. New graduate students are assigned on a rolling basis beginning in April. Early application is advised, as space is limited.
Q: How are roommates assigned?
A: Students may request roommates. In order to do so, one roommate makes the request and the other roommate must approve the request. If there is no request, roommates are matched to other students with similar roommate and room preferences, whenever possible.
Graduate students can request to be on a program floor with students in the same concentration.
Q: What if I don’t get along with my roommate?
A: Learning to live with someone who is different from you is part of the college experience. Open communication, understanding, and compromise are important in facilitating a good roommate relationship. If you need assistance working through a roommate problem, contact your RA or GA.
Q: Can freshmen request more than one roommate? The application only has space for one.
A: Although some room types provide for more than one roommate, the application allows for only one roommate request in order to encourage freshmen to meet new students.
Q: How do I know if I received housing?
A: During the summer, housing assignments are posted on Campus Express. Freshmen who apply by May 1 usually can view their assignment after June 4. Other assignments are made on a rolling basis and are posted when available. Students need their PennKey and password to log into Campus Express.
For spring semester, assignments are available at myhomeatpenn.upenn.edu. See the Assignment Details step to view your housing assignment.
Q: How do I log in to campusexpress.upenn.edu?
A: You will need a PennKey and password to log in. Once you are officially a Penn student, you will be sent a PennKey set up code so that you can create your PennKey and password. For most freshmen, this information is sent by the end of May. For other students, this information is sent after you accept your offer of admission and you are entered in the Student Registration System (SRS). If you did not receive your PennKey set up code, or are having trouble logging in, send an email to pennkey@isc.upenn.edu.
Q: Why didn't I get one of my room choices?
A: Freshmen are assigned to one of their requests if available. If none are available, freshmen are placed in any available room in order to ensure that housing is provided. Upperclassmen and graduate students will only be assigned if one of their requests is available.
Q: Can I be placed on a waiting list for a different room if I didn’t get one of my preferences?
A: We do not maintain a wait list for room changes. Summer is a busy time and our priority is to assign students who are still waiting for housing. Many students find that once they move-in, make friends, and settle into their new home, they no longer feel the need for a change.
Q: Do I need to confirm my housing?
A: Yes. Freshmen, transfers, new graduate students, and returning students who did not go through the room selection process must confirm their housing on Campus Express. If you cannot log into Campus Express, you may send an e-mail to cehouse@exchange.upenn.edu. If you do not confirm, your room assignment will be cancelled, you will be charged a cancellation fee, and the space will be reassigned to another student.
Q: Can I change my room assignment?
A: Room changes are made only during scheduled periods throughout the year. Information and specific dates are provided on our web site under Room Change Information and on posted announcements. If you feel you need a change for a special reason at a time other that the room change period, you should discuss the matter with your House Dean. .
Q: Can I see my room in advance?
A: During the summer months our residences are being used for conference groups or they are closed for maintenance. You cannot see your room in advance.
Graduate students interested in living in Sansom Place can see a representative room. Contact the Housing Assignments Office at 215-898-8271 to make a reservation. Sansom tours will be offered mid June – early August at designated times.
Q: What are the dimensions of my room?
A: Most floor plans are available on the Residential Services website and Campus Express. Diagrams may not be exact and are only meant as a general guide.
Q: Am I guaranteed a room?
A: Freshmen whose applications are received by the May 1 deadline will receive space on campus. Those applying after the deadline will be assigned on a space-available basis. Upperclassmen and graduate students are not guaranteed housing.
Q: Are any rooms co-ed?
A: Unless otherwise requested, all rooms are designated as single-sex. However, students may apply for and be assigned to gender neutral housing. However, if you are under 18 years of age written parental permission must be provided in order to consider your request. Gender Neutral room assignments will be made without regard to gender. Please refer to the Gender Neutral policy for details.
Q: Are all bathrooms co-ed?
A: No. The gender of the bathroom (male/female/co-ed) are either pre-designated or designated by the students on their floors at the beginning of the fall semester.
Q: Must I have the same room assignment for all four years?
A: No. In early spring, room selection begins for the following year..
Q: What does my room look like?
A: Typical room diagrams are available in the layouts & floorplans section of the website. These diagrams are meant to give you a general idea of your room dimensions and layout. Individual rooms may vary.
Q: Can I cancel my housing assignment?
A: Prior to occupancy, you may cancel your room assignment but you will be charged a cancellation fee which escalates throughout the summer. The charge is based on the date that a written notice of cancellation is received by the Housing Assignments Office. Once a resident takes occupancy or picks up keys, the agreement cannot be cancelled.
Q: Why am I charged a housing cancellation fee if I am not attending Penn?
A: Penn’s Residential Services does not require a housing deposit like many other schools. Only those who cancel after they are assigned a room are charged. If you are unsure you are attending Penn, you can wait to apply until you are sure or cancel as soon as you are aware that you are not attending. Cancellation fees escalate as time passes. Please be aware that notifying Admissions is not enough. You must cancel your housing by writing the Housing Assignments Office at living@exchange.upenn.edu or on Campus Express.
Q: When will I get a rent bill?
A: Rent will be posted on your SFS bill. For the Fall Semester, the first bill is sent by early July. For the Spring Semester, the bill is available early December.