What is the advantage of being a member of a Theme Community?
As a member of a Theme Community, students will live with peers who share a common interest or experience. Events and workshops are hosted several times a month around the shared topic area and helpful resources are curated by Theme Community staff to make sure students have a tailored experience. In an institution the size of the University of Michigan, having a tight-knit community of peers makes U-M feel like home right away!
Can I apply to a Theme Community and an MLC?
Yes, students can apply for up to 2 Theme Communities and up to 2 MLCs.
Does applying to more than one Theme Community hurt my chances of getting accepted into either?
No, applying to multiple Theme Communities increases your chances of being accepted into a Living Learning Program.
Are there any prerequisites or level of experience needed to apply to a Theme Community?
No. Theme Communities are open to students with diverse levels of interest or experience in the topic. Students from any school or college are welcome to apply for a Theme Community. The only exception is the Living Business Theme Community, which is specifically for first-year direct admits and/or preferred admits to the Ross School of Business.
What are the requirements of being in a Theme Community?
Each Theme Community may have its own set of requirements, but students are generally expected to participate in Theme Community events or workshops twice a month. For specific Theme Community expectations, view community information on the Theme Community website.
I’m a transfer student. Can I apply to a Theme Community?
Transfer students are welcome to apply to the Transfer Year Experience (TYE) Theme Community. Specific questions? Email themehousing@umich.edu.
How do I apply to a Theme Community?
To apply to a Theme Community, complete the Theme Community application included in the Housing application. You can select up to two Theme Communities, answer the corresponding essay questions and submit your application before the deadline.
Are applications accepted on a rolling basis?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. For returning residents, Theme Community applications are reviewed in January as part of the Returning Resident Housing process. For first-year students, the Theme application is included as part of the M Housing application. Applications submitted by the M Housing application deadline are given priority in the review process.
How many students are accepted into each Theme Community?
To support a close-knit community, each Theme Community typically accepts between 30-40 students annually.
How are the corridors gendered in each Theme Community?
Most Theme Communities are located on either all-gender or split-gender corridors.
Gender Inclusive Housing options are available to participants in any Theme Community. If students would like to request gender inclusive housing within a particular Theme Community, please email gender.inclusive.housing@umich.edu.
Can I live with a preferred roommate in a Theme Community?
We encourage students to indicate their roommate preferences in the Theme Community application; however, we cannot guarantee matching students with their preferred roommate. If one roommate is accepted into a Theme Community and the other is not, we are unable to place preferred roommates together. If both roommates are accepted into the same Theme, we will do our best to match them as roommates.
If I get accepted into a Theme Community, can I decline the acceptance? What happens then?
Yes, if you are accepted into a Theme Community and decide not to participate, you can decline the offer by replying to your acceptance email within 48 hours. You will be removed from the Theme Community and placed into the traditional housing assignment process.
At any time, students can email themehousing@umich.edu to request removal or notify staff that they no longer like to participate in the Theme Community. Depending on the timing of the request, Housing staff will work with each student to determine next steps.
I have a health or disability need. Can I still live within a Theme Community?
Yes! Please visit the Additional Living Options website for more information.
Do I have to live in a specific building if I get accepted into a Theme Community?
Yes, each Theme Community is located in a specific residence hall, on a specific floor. If accepted into a Theme Community, you will automatically be assigned a room on the Theme Community floor. To find out the location of each Theme Community, click into the various Theme Community pages from the main Theme Community website.
Does living in a Theme Community mean you don’t get to interact with students outside of your Theme Community?
Living in a Theme Community provides students with the best of both worlds: a tight-knit community of peers living on their floor who share a common interest or experience, while also living within a larger residence hall. Theme students can meet peers from other Theme Communities, MLCs or non-affiliated communities within their building.
What does it mean if I’m placed on a waitlist for a Theme Community?
Being placed on a Theme Community waitlist means that the student may be offered a spot in the community at a later time, depending on availability. Unfortunately, we are unable to predict exactly if or when waitlist offers may be extended. We encourage students to check their University of Michigan (@umich.edu) email regularly to stay updated, as offers must be accepted quickly if extended. While on a Theme Community’s waitlist, students will continue through traditional housing assignment processes.
Who should I contact if I have questions about Theme Communities?
Students should contact themehousing@umich.edu with any questions.
Updated 2-21-2025