As a residential college, Dickinson has a four-year residency requirement, meaning that all full-time enrolled first-year, sophomore, junior, and senior students are required to live in college housing and participate in a college meal plan. As an integral part of the out-of-classroom experience, students living in college residences will increase their cognitive, interpersonal and intrapersonal development and complexity. Students need space for physical and intellectual activities to benefit from this experience fully. We work with students to meet their needs on campus by creating the environment in college residences that will be most conducive to their overall academic and social success.
Your Housing Assignment
One of the major areas of interest for new students is finding out where they will be living. To prepare for making your housing assignments in the summer, we ask that you complete a housing application and a roommate preference form. Incoming students will complete these forms through eRezLife, the online platform used to manage our housing. You can access the housing portal through Dickinson Gateway.
- The housing application is open and due June 1.
- The roommate preferences will open June 2 and is due June 16.
Be sure to check out our descriptions of the residential facilities and tips on living with a roommate.
You will be assigned a room and a roommate(s) in early August. When you receive your roommates' contact information, call them! Be sure to talk about what items each of you is bringing so you can best use the space in your room. We recommend not only focusing on social networking sites to learn about your new roommate. Take time to build a relationship outside of social media. When working with your roommates to determine what to bring, consider our Packing for College list.
If you have any questions about the forms or housing in general, please contact Residence Life & Housing at 717-245-1556 or reslife@dickinson.edu.
Check out the Residential Experience YouTube Playlist for a look inside our res halls:
Your Community
All new students are placed in traditional halls on Morgan Field or The Quads. You will have staff and structures to help create your community through governance, social event planning, and community forums. At Dickinson, the learning experience flows seamlessly into the residence halls as you bring concepts from what you are learning in the classroom home to reflect and engage with your peers.
Gender Inclusive Housing
Dickinson offers gender-inclusive housing to all students. This expansion of the previous program provided this option to upper-level students. This option allows two or more students to share a multiple-occupancy bedroom, suite, or apartment regardless of the student's sex or gender identity. Gender-inclusive housing is intended for students who wish to share a living space with friends irrespective of gender; it is not for romantic relationships. Please review the gender-inclusive housing page for further information.
Housing Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Dickinson College is deeply committed to the full participation of students with disabilities in all aspects of college life, including residential life. In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Dickinson College has established the following Housing Accommodations Procedures to ensure that students with documented disabilities receive housing assignments that reasonably meet their needs as required by law. For information about reporting a disability, please contact Access and Disability Services at 717-245-1734 or access@dickinson.edu.
Microfridge Rentals
Dickinson College offers opportunities for students to rent microfridges through the Dickinson College Bookstore.
Bed Sheets and Linens
Dickinson beds use extra long sheets and linens. Shop for what you need at Dormify.
Arrival and Move-In Days
The move-in and orientation schedule provides information about move-in days. Additionally, you will receive an email with tips and reminders a few days before your scheduled arrival.