Oberlin College Housing and Dining

Housing

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to room with a friend who has applied to Oberlin but has not been accepted yet. What should I do?: You should complete the Housing and Dining Request for yourself only. Then, you should pick up a group housing application and list both your name as well as your friendÕs. Note beside your friendÕs name that he/she is a new student. Remind your friend to list your name on his/her new student housing application. Over the summer we will assign you according to your preferences.
How do I apply to live in a program house?: Check "single or group housing in residence halls" and "program house"(select the specific program house) as your first preference on the housing and dining request form. Complete the on- line program house application by the deadline date.
I have applied or been hired as an RA. Should I still complete and return the housing and dining request form?: Yes! If you do not receive an RA position or decline the RA position then we know what your housing preferences are.
I really want a single or Village/Apartment Style Housing, but if I don't get one I want Off-Campus. What should I do?: Since the off-campus deadline comes first, you must select "off-campus" as your first choice on the housing and dining request form. If later in the process you accept College housing you forfeit the "Off-Campus" option for the entire academic year. Another choice is to keep off-campus-housing option and put your name on the waitlist after May 1.
I don't think I'll be here next semester, but if I am, I want Off-Campus. What should I do?: Complete the housing and dining request form as if you'll be here, with off-campus as your first choice. When Residential Education & Dining Services receives notification that you will not be enrolled, your housing and dining assignments will be canceled. If you applied and received off-campus status then you retain that status for the spring.
I am going to be away fall semester but I want Off-Campus in the spring. What should I do?: You must apply and have received off-campus housing status during the Off-Campus Housing Process for the Fall Semester. In order to be eligible for the spring semester you must have received off-campus status as part of the fall selection process. You must then re-select off-campus during the Return From Leave Housing and Dining Application Process.
If you will not have Internet access while on leave, then you may contact the Res Ed Office and submit this information over the phone once the process begins. You must do so by the deadline date.
My friend and I want to be roommates next year, but I may not be here in the fall semester. What will happen to my roommate?: Go ahead and select housing. If you decide not to come in the fall, your roommate can request another person for a roommate (before June 30) or someone else will be assigned to the space. If you wish to live together in the spring, your roommate should place your names on the waitlist in December as a requested roommate. You should enter his or her T Number on your Return From Leave Application, available the middle of October.
When will I know my room assignment if I don't have a roommate? Are my chances of getting what I want better if I have a good random number?: Those unassigned at the end of spring housing process will be assigned in July and August to vacancies that occur. Chances of getting what you want are unpredictable; however semesters in residency/random lottery number order is followed for the waitlists. Those who have assignments already would not have greater or less priority than you.
What if my first choice process happens after my second choice process, i.e. first choice is a super quad with a friend (part of group housing process) and second choice is a single (singles process)?: If you really want a single, you need to enter the singles process. If there are no singles available you will be placed in the multiple occupancy pool. You should have a back-up plan in case you do not get your first choice. The singles and multiple occupancy process happen at the same time so you can only be in one process.
In an effort to minimize the number of students who leave campus without housing we are asking students to be both realistic about their housing and to enter only one process. There are a very limited number of super quads and these typically go to students with high priority. Your first choice should be what makes the most sense to you, so give your preferences careful consideration.