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Housing Operations

Room Selection

The room selection process for upperclass students will take place April 14-22, 2026. Your Housing Portal, can be accessed through the housing icon in your Gateway (http://gateway.dickinson.edu). Using this program, students can view their lottery time, select roommates, view available housing options, and select housing for next year. Residence Life & Housing will communicate with students via email and through their Housing Portal to share information throughout the spring semester. 

INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSING SELECTION

Reference Guides:

  • What is Housing Lottery: Video
  • How to Complete your Housing Application: Instructions & Video
  • How to Complete Roommate Matching: Instructions & Video
  • How to Select a Room: Instructions (coming soon)

Important Dates:

  • March 1: Housing Application opens and Roommate Matching begins.
  • April 1: Housing Application due.
  • April 7: Lottery times available.
  • April 10: Mixed-class roommate group requests due by 12pm EDT
  • April 15:  Rising Senior selection night (graduation dates 2/27, 5/27, or 2/28)
  • April 17:  Rising Junior selection night (graduation dates 5/28 or 2/29)
  • April 21:  Rising Sophomore selection night (graduation dates 5/29 or 2/30)

To be eligible to participate in housing selection, students must complete the following:

  • Complete the Housing Application in their Housing Portal.
  • Register for at least one class for the fall semester during course request, and
  • Ensure they have no financial holds on their account in order to be entered into the housing lottery.  

Housing & Food Agreement - All students living on campus agree to this document when completing the Housing Application.

STEPS TO SELECT HOUSING

Step 1: Housing Application & Review Housing Options

  • All students living on campus in the fall must complete the housing application, including students who recieve housing through the Special Interest House, accommodation, or RA/HAM/CA process.
  • Students who do not complete the application will not be eligible to select housing or match wtih roommates during the spring housing lottery.
  • Housing Application Instructions & How Application Instruction Video

Housing Options & Identifying Preferences:

  • We encourage students to be realistic about what to expect during the housing selection process and plan for multiple options. 
    • While housing occupancy can vary from year to year, we do see some patterns. Typically, we see rising sophomores select doubles in traditional buildings, rising juniors select suites, and rising seniors select singles or apartment-style housing. These are the most typical options each class year will be able to select during their selection time. 
  • Configuration of Houses & Apartments: this document has been updated with information for the 2026-2027 academic year
  • Housing Rates: There is differential pricing for apartment-style and single occupancy rooms. Students are encouraged to consider this information as they are making decisions about housing options for the coming academic year. 
  • All available floor plans can be found on our website here.
  • Additional information about traditional style housing and house/apartment style housing is available on our website.

Step 2: Roommate Selection 

  • Students must mutually request any and all roommates. This includes students who will live in the same suite or apartment together. 
  • Students in the same class year will match with their roommate through their Housing Portal on Gateway: How to Match with Roommates (video).
  • Students in different class years who would like to live together must submit their request via email to reslife@dickinson.edu by April 10th, 2026 at 12pm EDT. Students in mixed-class roommate groups will have their lottery time adjusted. Please review this documenbt for more information: Mixed-Class Roommate Groups.

Step 3: Review Housing Lottery Time 

  • All students will receive an email when the housing lottery times are released. 
  • Lottery times are accessed through a student's Housing portal on Gateway.
  • Lottery times are assigned within a class year (i.e. all sophomores select on one night, all seniors on another night, etc.). Within each night, lottery times are randomized. 

Step 4: Select Housing

  • Housing is selected via a student's Housing Portal accessed through Gateway. 
  • How to Navigate the Housing Lottery Process (video coming soon)
  • Support will be available for students with questions during the lottery. Please check your email on the day of your selection for more information.

Step 5: Select Meal Plan

  • After you have selected your housing assignment for Fall 2026, you will automatically gain access to selecting your meal plan.
  • All students who don't select a meal plan will be automatically assigned Any21.
  • We encourage students to review all communication shared by Dining Services about the meal plan selection process and deadlines.

Step 6: Waitlist

Students will be notified when a waitlist is activated for their class year. Be on the lookout throughout the Housing Selection process for more information. If you are selected to be housing based on a housing waitlist request: 

  • The full group will receive an email indicating student action is needed. 
  • Every member of the group must confirm in writing that they agree to the waitlist offer. 
  • Decline a waitlist offer does not guarantee that another offere will be extended. 

QUESTIONS?

  • If you have questions, please contact Residence Life & Housing during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-4:30 PM) by phone at 717-245-1556 or send us an email at reslife@dickinson.edu.