First Year Room Assignment and Room Selection Frequently Asked Questions

New! 2025-2026 Room Selection How-To Guide

Application Questions

Can I change the method that I’ll be assigned to a room?

• No, once you've selected your room assignment method, either Room Selection or having Michigan Housing assign you, you cannot change it later. This decision is final upon completing your housing application.

What’s the better option: being assigned by Michigan Housing or Room Selection? Which method will get me what I want?

• Both methods offer access to the same pool of first-year housing options.
  • Room Selection: Ideal if you have specific preferences for buildings or room types and are prepared to act quickly during your designated selection time. This method allows you to choose your room directly.
  • Michigan Housing Assigns: Suitable if you're flexible with your housing preferences or find the selection process overwhelming. Housing staff will assign you a room based on the preferences you indicated in your application.
• Note that certain students, such as those in Michigan Learning Communities or with specific accommodations, are assigned housing directly and do not participate in Room Selection.

Do I have to live in Michigan Housing in my first year?

• No, living in Michigan Housing is not mandatory for first-year students. However, approximately 97% of incoming students choose to live on campus due to the convenience, community, and support it offers during the transition to university life.

Can I request to live with a roommate who’s an upperclass students?

• Typically, first-year students are not permitted to request returning students as roommates. Michigan Housing strives to honor first-year roommate requests when all parties are eligible and have mutually requested each other by the application deadline. However, pairing a first-year student with an upperclass student is generally not allowed.

Room Selection Helpful Information

• Room Selection Room Availability
• Example Room Layouts
• Room Selection How-To Guide

General Room Selection Questions

How were Room Selection timeslots determined?

• Room Selection timeslots are determined randomly.
• Members of the same roommate group receive the same Room Selection timeslot.

What can I do ahead of time to prepare myself for my selection time slot?

• Research Residence Halls: 
  • Familiarize yourself with the various residence halls, their locations, amenities, and room types. 
• Identify Preferences: 
  • Determine your top choices for buildings, room types, and any specific needs or preferences you have.
• Coordinate with Roommates: 
  • If you plan to live with a roommate, ensure you've formed a roommate group in the housing portal. Remember, roommate groups receive the same selection timeslot. 
• Have Backup Options: 
  • Popular residence halls fill up quickly. Prepare a list of alternative choices in case your top preferences are unavailable.

How do I know which buildings are full?

• During the Room Selection days, the Michigan housing portal displays availability updated multiple times throughout the day. If a building or room type is no longer listed, it indicates that all spaces have been selected. It's essential to act promptly during your timeslot, as availability can change rapidly.

How do I search for a room and what can I search by?

• Students will have the ability to search by room type and/or building.

I see a "Supplemental" description for some rooms in the list for Room Selection. What is that?

• When Michigan Housing has large first-year classes, we use extra residential rooms to house these students. These rooms have the same features as all other rooms of a similar style, with one notable exception: most supplemental rooms have wardrobes instead of built-in closets.
• Should Michigan Housing not need to use the supplemental rooms to house students, we reserve the right to reassign students to other rooms at anytime (including after move-in). Doing that opens up the supplemental rooms for other uses for the residential community.

I don’t like what I see - can I still apply to a living-learning program?

• Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) at the University of Michigan have specific application processes and deadlines. If you haven't applied to an LLC before the housing selection process, it's unlikely you'll be able to join one afterward. However, you can check the Michigan Learning Communities page for any late application opportunities or waitlists.

Are there other rooms available that you are reserving?

• Michigan Housing does not hold back rooms during the Room Selection process. All available rooms are displayed in real-time on the housing portal. However, certain rooms may be reserved in advance for students with specific accommodations or those participating in specialized programs.

I believe something is wrong with the system; I’m not seeing what I want.

• If you're experiencing technical issues with the housing portal:
  • Check Your Internet Connection: Ensure you have a stable connection.
  • Try a Different Browser: Sometimes, switching browsers can resolve display issues.
    • Try clearing your browser cache. 
    • Try opening an incognito window.
  • Contact Housing Support: If problems persist, reach out to Michigan Housing at housing@umich.edu or 734-763-3164 for assistance.
• Remember, popular rooms and buildings can fill up quickly, so availability may be limited during your selection time.

I don’t see the building(s) I want to choose from. How come?

• If a building isn't listed during your selection time, it's likely because:
  • Full Capacity: All rooms in that building have been selected by other students.
  • Reserved Spaces: Some buildings or rooms are reserved for specific programs or accommodations.
• In such cases, please select from the other available options.

Will I be able to view room cost when I search for and select a space?

• During self-selection, the rooms will show the room/rate type. However, the rates that will be shown will reflect the rates from the 2024-2025 Academic Year. The 2025-2026 Room and Board rates will not be approved by the Board of Regents until late June.

Roommate Group Room Selection Questions

My roommate gets accepted into an MLC or Theme and I didn’t. What should I do?

• If your roommate is admitted to a Michigan Learning Community (MLC) or Theme Community and you are not, you cannot be placed together. These communities have specific eligibility requirements, and only students admitted to the same program can room together. In such cases, you may need to consider finding a different roommate or selecting housing independently.

There’s no space available for my roommate and I. What should I do?

• If no rooms are available that can accommodate your roommate group size (e.g., no doubles for two people), you have a couple of options:
  • Break Up the Roommate Group: Disband the group in the housing portal, allowing each member to select individual rooms based on availability.
  • Search for Smaller Room Options: If you're in a larger group, consider forming smaller groups that match available room sizes.
• Remember, roommate groups can only select rooms that match their group size.

There’s no empty rooms in a given building. What should my roommate and I do?

• If your preferred building has no available rooms:
  • Explore Other Buildings: Look for available rooms in other residence halls that meet your preferences.
  • Consider Disbanding the Roommate Group: If staying together in a specific building isn't possible, you might choose to select individual rooms in different buildings.
• Flexibility is key, as room availability can change rapidly during the selection process.

There’s no empty rooms in a given area of campus. Should we choose another area or break up the roommate group?

• If an entire area (e.g., North Campus) lacks available rooms:
  • Choose Another Area: Expand your search to other area with available housing options.
  • Break Up the Roommate Group: If staying in the same area is a priority for individual members, disbanding the group allows each person to select rooms independently.
• Prioritize your preferences to make the best decision for your situation.

We don’t like anything we see? What should we do?

• If the available options don't meet your preferences:
  • Select the Best Available Option: Choose the most suitable room available during your timeslot.
  • Consider Room Changes Later: After move-in, you can inquire about room change options through Michigan Housing, though changes are subject to availability and not guaranteed.
• It's advisable to secure housing during your selection time, even if it's not your top choice.

I can’t get in contact with my roommate. Should I choose for both of us? Should I choose for myself?

• If you're unable to contact your roommate during selection:
  • Decide Based on Group Agreement: If your roommate group has agreed that one member will select for the group, proceed accordingly.
  • Select Individually: If no prior agreement exists, consider disbanding the roommate group and selecting a room individually to ensure you secure housing.
• Communication is essential; try to establish a plan with your roommate(s) beforehand.

How do I split up our Roommate Group? Can we live near each other? Can we room swap later?

• Splitting Up: To disband a roommate group, access the housing portal and remove yourself from the group.
• Living Near Each Other: While you can't select rooms together after disbanding, you can coordinate with your former roommate(s) to choose rooms in the same building or floor, depending on availability.
• Room Change: After move-in, you can explore room change options through Michigan Housing, subject to policies and availability.

What if we want a triple and we’re not able to get one? How will we be split up?

• If triple rooms are unavailable:
  • Form Smaller Groups: Consider splitting into a double and a single, or three singles, depending on room availability.
  • Coordinate Selection: Disband the group and individually select rooms, aiming for proximity if desired.
• Flexibility increases your chances of securing desired housing.

How do I split up my group?

• To disband your roommate group:
  • Log into the housing portal.
  • Navigate to the roommate group section.
  • Choose the option to leave or delete the group.
  • Once disbanded, each member can select rooms independently during their assigned timeslot.

Post-Assignment Questions

What if there are no spaces available?

• If all on-campus housing options are filled, Michigan Housing typically does not maintain a waitlist for students who did not secure housing during the initial selection process. In such cases, students are encouraged to explore off-campus housing options in Ann Arbor or consider alternative accommodations.

I selected something but I don’t like what I chose. When can I change my room? Can I change rooms before move-in?

• Generally, room changes before move-in are not accommodated. After moving in, you can request a room change through the Room Change Request process in the Michigan Housing portal, which opens two weeks after classes begin. A room change offer depends on availability and is not guaranteed.

I don't like where Michigan Housing assigned me. Is there a waitlist for a room change?

• If you're dissatisfied with your selected housing assignment, Michigan Housing does not offer a pre-move-in waitlist for room changes based solely on preference. However, after moving in, you can submit a Room Change Request. This process becomes available two weeks after the start of classes. While room changes are not guaranteed, Michigan Housing will consider your request based on availability.

What if I miss the entire process?

• Missing the housing application and selection deadlines may result in limited or no availability of on-campus housing. In such cases, students should:
  • Contact Michigan Housing: Reach out to inquire about any last-minute openings or cancellations.
  • Explore Off-Campus Options: Consider renting apartments or rooms in Ann Arbor.

Contract Questions

My roommate didn’t sign their contract. What happens next?

• If your roommate hasn't signed their housing contract by the contract signing deadline, the roommate group remains incomplete. Any open space(s) in your room will be assigned to another first-year student. Michigan Housing requires all members of a roommate group to sign their contracts to secure a shared room.

What is the grace period after I sign my contract?

• Once you sign your housing contract, it becomes legally binding immediately. There isn't a designated "grace period" for cancellation without penalty. If you need to cancel, you must submit an early contract termination notification through the Michigan Housing Portal, subject to an 80% early termination fee of the rest of your contract.

What if I signed my contract and now found something better off-campus / want to commute?

• If you need to cancel your contract, you must submit an early contract termination notification through the Michigan Housing Portal, subject to an 80% early termination fee of the rest of your contract.

I signed my contract but now my parent(s) is telling me that what I chose is too expensive. What’s my option now?

• After signing, the contract is binding. If cost becomes a concern, you can:
  • Request a Contract Termination: Submit an early contract termination notification through the Michigan Housing Portal, subject to an 80% early termination fee of the rest of your contract.
  • Contact Financial Aid: Contact the Office of Financial Aid to explore additional support options.
  • Consider a Room Change: After move-in, inquire about transferring to a less expensive housing option, though availability may be limited and is not guaranteed.