Incoming Freshmen
Welcome, Banana Slug!
This page is your roadmap to the housing process for incoming freshmen—from learning about the colleges and accepting your offer of admission, to applying for housing and getting ready to move in. Explore the sections below to get oriented, stay on track, and find out what’s ahead.
Important dates
Stay on track with key dates for housing and move-in. Be sure to check your UCSC email regularly for updates.
You can also visit the full housing calendar for the entire year’s dates and details.
Dates for students starting in fall quarter
May 1*
Accept your offer of admission at MyUCSC.
Indicate a preference for university housing and rank your top 5 college affiliation preferences.
Mid-May*
Check your UCSC email for college affiliation and housing application instructions, including your application due date.
By the
application deadline
Apply for housing in the Housing Portal and request accommodations if needed.
August 20
Housing assignment and roommate info available in the Housing Portal.
September
17
Payment due for fall quarter housing and dining charges.
September
18–20
Fall move-in. Review the complete move-in schedule.
*Note: Students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines will be given a later date by which to accept their offer of admission and apply for university housing.
Dates for students starting in winter quarter
October 15
Accept your offer of admission at MyUCSC.
Indicate a preference for university housing and rank your top 5 college affiliation preferences.
October 20*
Check your UCSC email for college affiliation and housing application instructions, including your application due date.
October 31*
Apply for housing in the Housing Portal and request accommodations if needed.
Early December
Housing assignment and roommate info available in the Housing Portal.
December
17
Payment due for fall quarter housing and dining charges.
January 2
Winter move-in.
*Note: Students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines will be given a later date by which to accept their offer of admission and apply for university housing.
Get to know the colleges
At UC Santa Cruz, every undergraduate is affiliated with one of the 10 colleges. Each college is a small living-learning community with academic support, social events, and a required first-year core course tied to its academic emphasis.
Your college won’t affect your major (or vice versa), but it will be your landing pad to begin building your campus community: most freshmen live in triple rooms in their college’s residence halls, and all take the core course. Before accepting your offer of admission, take time to explore the colleges. Visit campus if you can, and use the link below to learn more about each college’s location, community, academic emphasis, and housing options.
Accept your offer of admission (SIR)
Once you’ve explored your options and you’re ready to say “yes” to UC Santa Cruz, go to MyUCSC to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) and pay any required fees by the deadline (May 1 for students starting in fall quarter, October 15 for students starting in winter quarter)*.
As part of the SIR process, you’ll be asked to:
- Indicate whether you plan to live on campus.
- Rank your top five college preferences for affiliation.
Incoming freshmen who indicate a preference for university housing and meet all housing application deadlines are eligible for a housing guarantee.
The Office of Admissions will do its best to assign you to one of your preferred colleges, but unfortunately that isn’t possible in all instances; placements depend on enrollment and availability.
*Note: Students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines will be given a later date by which to accept their offer of admission and apply for housing.
Find out your college affiliation and explore housing options
A week or two after your SIR deadline, you’ll receive an email from Student Housing Services with your college affiliation and your housing application deadline.
Once affiliated with a college, take a moment to explore your college’s housing options, amenities, and community. You’ll also find additional housing options below that you may want to consider when completing your application. These options can shape your first-year experience in meaningful ways, so it’s worth taking a few minutes to explore what feels like the best fit for you.
Check out your college’s housing page
Can I request a change in my college affiliation?
Students are usually very happy at their assigned college, but if you would like to request a change of college, there is a limited time period during which an appeal process is available. While we don’t expect to grant many appeals, if you wish to submit one, please follow the instructions on the College Assignments Appeal page.
More ways to live and learn
UCSC offers additional housing options beyond your assigned college. Whether you’d like to join a themed community, live with family, or live off campus, you might find your fit here.
Campuswide Theme Housing
Campuswide Theme Housing options are located in specific colleges and are open to all students, regardless of college affiliation. Centered around shared interests, academics, community engagement, and support, these spaces create opportunities for connection and personal growth:
- ABC Themed Housing
- Native American/Indigenous Themed Housing (NAITH)
- Substance Free Recovery Housing
- Trans-Inclusive Housing
You’ll have an opportunity to indicate your interest in Campuswide Theme Housing, as well as theme options at your affiliated college, in your housing application.
Family Student Housing
Family Student Housing is a dedicated apartment community with on-site childcare for UCSC students with families.
Off-campus housing
UCSC’s Community Rentals team offers support and a rental listing service for students searching for off-campus housing.
Apply for housing
After reviewing your college affiliation and exploring your housing options, you’re ready to apply.
The housing application opens in mid-May for students starting in fall quarter and in late October for students starting in winter quarter.* Your specific housing application deadline will be listed in the same email that includes your college assignment.
You’ll complete your application in the Housing Portal. You’ll be guided through these steps:
- Rank your room preferences
- Indicate interest in theme housing
- Answer roommate matching questions
- Choose your meal plan
- Review rates and billing options
- Agree to the terms and conditions of residence
- Submit your application
*Note: For students admitted after the initial admissions acceptance deadlines, the housing application will open at a later date.
Where can I find my housing application deadline?
If you expressed interest in living on campus when accepting your offer of admission, you’ll receive an email with instructions for completing the housing application process. That email will include your housing application deadline. Watch your UCSC email inbox a week or two after your SIR deadline passes and apply by the deadline listed in your email.
What if I was admitted after the initial admissions deadlines?
If you were admitted later in the admissions cycle, you’ll receive a later housing application deadline. Check your UCSC email for your specific deadline and next steps.
Students admitted off the Admissions waitlist after the college assignment appeal deadline are not eligible to request a change in their college through the appeal process.
Disability accommodations
If you need disability-related housing accommodations (e.g., no steps or stairs, visual alarms, space for mobility devices), submit an accommodation request through the Disability Resource Center (DRC) by your housing application deadline. Submitting your request on time helps ensure your individual needs are considered at the time housing assignments are made. While late requests will be accepted, all requests are subject to the availability of housing.
Get ready to move in!
In late August for fall quarter and early December for winter quarter, you’ll get an email from your housing community letting you know your room and roommate information is available in the Housing Portal, and providing instructions for signing up for a move-in appointment.
This is a great time to connect with your roommates, start building a relationship, and begin planning your transition into college life.
Visit the Move-in page for packing tips, dates, and more details.
Quick checklist: Housing to-dos
- Learn about UCSC’s 10 colleges before you SIR
- Submit your SIR and college preferences by your SIR deadline
- Check your UCSC email for your college affiliation and housing deadline (after your SIR deadline passes)
- Explore your affiliated college and other housing options
- Apply for housing and request accommodations, if needed
- Reach out to your roommates
- Review & make note of important dates on the Housing Calendar
- Pay fall quarter housing and dining charges
- Prepare for move-in!
