First-Year Application

Admitted students will be notified when the application opens.

Access the Housing Application Using Your Columbia ID Number

The Housing Application is completed through the Columbia Housing Portal. When the application opens, you will not yet have a University-assigned University Network ID (UNI).

To log in and begin the application, you will need to use your Columbia ID number. This 9-digit number can be found at the top right of the Admissions Portal.

Steps to Log In

  1. Go to the Columbia Housing Portal.
  2. Click "Login" in the top left-hand corner of the Portal homepage.
  3. Select "Login with Columbia ID" from the drop-down menu. 
  4. Enter your Columbia ID number and password. 
    • Your Columbia ID number begins with C and is 9 digits.
    • Your password is your date of birth in the format MMDDYYYY (i.e., 04242004) 

Tips for the First-Year Housing Application

  • Access the application from the Columbia Housing Portal. All application steps through the Statement of Intent must be completed by May 15 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
     
  • Review the building options and select your hall preferences carefully. Please note that a preference for single sex accommodations will take precedence over building preference. Furnald Hall is the only residence hall that offers single-sex floors (on the second floor.) Carman, John Jay, Wallach and Hartley do not have single-sex floors. View the first-year building options.
     
  • Consider requesting Bag Drop on Saturday, August 24 (domestic students only). Learn more about Bag Drop on the Check-In page.
     
  • Understand your roommate selection options
    • If you have a specific roommate in mind, you can request to be assigned together. Requests must be mutual. Roommate requests are made by forming a group of two people (yourself + one other). 
      1. Designate one person as group leader. 
      2. The leader should search for the other roommate by UNI or by name and click the option to "ADD TO GROUP." A unique group name will be created for you when you invite someone to your group.
      3. Your desired roommate MUST have a housing application.
      4. Your desired roommate must revisit the Roommate Request section, click "Join/Accept a Roommate Request".
      5. The group leader needs to log back in and accept the request to join the group in the Roommate Request section.
      6. The group leader should check that the group is verified. This should happen automatically after the 2nd member joins the group.
         
    • If you don't have a specific roommate in mind, you can use the roommate matching tools to identify potential matches. The application can make roommate recommendations based on how you answered the personal preferences questions, or you can search for a roommate by their profile answers.
       
    • Requesting a roommate is optional.
       
    • Please note:
      • If you request a roommate, you will most likely be placed in a double room.
      • Roommate matching will take priority over residence hall preference requests.
      • Roommate requests are not guaranteed.
      • Complete the Statement of Intent step to confirm your application.
         
  • The application 'Status' will read 'Not Complete' until the Occupancy Agreement is signed, which will occur after you have received your room assignment. Housing notifications will be sent via email by July. You will be instructed to log in, sign the Occupancy Agreement, and click on the "Complete Application" button at the bottom to complete the application. At this point, your login will be your Columbia University Network ID (UNI) and password. 
     
  • Students who will not be 18 years old by August 1, 2024 must designate a parent or guardian to sign the Occupancy Agreement along with the student.
  • If you indicate a request to commute, this request must be approved by Residential Life.

What Happens Next?

  • Room assignments will be emailed to students by July.
  • Prepare for Check-In. International student Check-In and Bag Drop are on August 24 and general Check-In is on August 25. Learn more.