Students will receive information about the housing application process later this spring. To apply, students will visit our online portal (MyHomeAtPenn) and click the provided link to enter the application. The app will prompt you to answer lifestyle questions, choose a roommate  (if you like), and rank your College House preferences. The application opens on May 7! 

We offer a variety of housing options in eight different College Houses for first-year students. We offer traditional style housing (single, double, or triple occupancy rooms with hall baths and common areas) in our First-Year Houses, and suite style (multiple bedrooms with a shared bathroom and common spaces between roommates) rooms in our Four-Year Houses.  

First-year students cannot request specific room types. You can submit your application as part of a ‘Roommate Group’ in which you can designate one other first-year student as a desired roommate. If you are in a ‘Roommate Group,’ you and you roommate will not be separated. Students who do not designate a roommate are not guaranteed a single occupancy space. 

The application is not first-come, first-served. So long as you submit your application between May 7 and May 29, you will be included in the first batch of assignments. Housing placement is randomized based on your listed preferences. 

Students will receive their housing assignments in late June. 

Roommates are assigned based on the answers to your Lifestyle Profile questions in the application. Students can choose one roommate via the Roommate Group feature in the application. All other roommate assignments will be based on your Lifestyle Profile answers. 

At Penn, students are housed together in community regardless of their area of study or involvement in extra-curricular activities. We do offer special interest and living-learning areas called ‘Program Communities,’ which you can apply for via your Housing Application. 

Bathrooms in our first-year College Houses are a mix of gender specific and co-ed. Bathrooms in our four-year College Houses are in-suite, and shared amongst roommates. 

First-year move-in begins Tuesday, August 19. 

Parents, friends, and/or family can assist you with your move! You can register these individuals via guest passes ahead of move-in. More information about the general move in process will be made available soon! 

Yes, you can! Your room assignment and mailing address will be made available to you via Campus Express (details forthcoming). Once you have your campus address, you can ship items to make your transition to campus much easier! 

Students must vacate campus for winter and summer breaks. For planning purposes, the fall semester concludes on December 18, 2025, and students must vacate the College Houses at the end of the academic year, 5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.  College Houses remain open during spring break. 

Housing over breaks is EXTREMELY limited and students are encouraged to leave over winter and summer break. In specific circumstances, we work with International Student and Scholar Services, Penn Athletics, and Penn First Plus to house specific populations of students with unique circumstances.  College Houses remain open during spring break. 

Some of the College Houses have a microfridge or microwave in the rooms. To learn which have micorfridges, or about brining your own visit residential-services.business-services.upenn.edu/you-move.

When you arrive on campus, you will receive your PennCard. This identification card also serves as a ‘key’ to your room and campus at large. Once you check in, you will use your PennCard to access your College House, suite/apartment (if applicable), and room. Additionally, your PennCard will be used to access your dining plan, and check out books at any of our campus libraries. 

First-year students can pick a dining plan through Campus Express from June 1 to June 22. If you don’t select one a default plan will be assigned, and you’ll have the first three weeks of the fall semester to make changes.

Campus Express is your go-to hub for essential student services like getting your PennCard, confirming housing, choosing a dining plan, registering property, and exploring transportation options. Keep an eye on your email for details on how to access Campus Express! 

Yes, all first- and second-year students need to be on a dining plan for their first four semesters. The options available will depend on your class year.

First-year students can choose between two plans: the First Year 296 and First Year 187. Both cost the same but offer different balances of meal swipes and Dining Dollars, so you can pick the one that best fits your eating habits. 

Dining Dollars are included in your plan and loaded onto your PennCard along with your meal swipes. They’re mainly used at grab-and-go retail spots but can also be spent at all-you-care-to-eat cafes if you run out of swipes. Need more? You can always add extra Dining Dollars through Campus Express.

Falk Dining Cafe (inside Penn Hillel) is home to our kosher program, and Kings Court English House cafe is the hub for halal dining. Every location offers vegetarian and vegan meals, and Simply Oasis platforms at 1920 Commons and Hill Cafe provide options free from the nine major food allergens.

You can check cafe menus online, where filters make it easy to find meals that meet your dietary needs. Ingredient and nutrition details are available for each item, and allergen info is posted at serving stations. Have questions? Chefs and managers in the cafes are happy to help! You can also sign up to receive daily menu emails so you always know what’s being served.