College Assignments

Rice University houses students in 12 residential colleges: Baker, Will Rice, Hanszen, Wiess, Jones, Brown, Lovett, Sid Richardson, Martel, McMurtry, Duncan, and Chao. Students are randomly assigned to colleges by the Office of the Division of Student Life and Undergraduate Education, resulting in a matriculating class at each college that reflects the incoming class as a whole.

Incoming students should expect to receive their college assignments in early July. College leadership will then assign roommates and rooms, and students will be notified toward the end of July.

Housing Eligibility

On-campus housing is guaranteed for first-year students. To secure on-campus housing beyond their first-year, each fall, rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors participate in a housing eligibility draw for the next school year. This allows them time to make informed choices about their on/off campus housing decision. Housing eligibility draw will take place on a coordinated date for all colleges. Actual room assignments for the following school year will take place during the spring semester, according to schedules and procedures set by each individual residential college.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is the date for the 2027-2028 Housing Eligibility Draw?

  • Answer: The Housing Eligibility Draw for the 2027-2028 academic year will be held on September 24, 2026 for all colleges.

Question: What if I need a housing accommodation based on a disability?

  • Answer: The deadline for current students seeking a housing accommodation for the 2027-2028 year is September 17, one week prior to the housing draw on September 24. All three steps of the application process for housing accommodations must be complete by the September 17 deadline. Note that all housing accommodations are based on availability.

Question: If I don’t get a room in my college, what is the process and timeline for applying to Main Street Residence?

  • Answer: On September 25 (the day after eligibility draw), the dean’s office will email all students announcing sign-up for Main Street Residence. Their office will provide students with timely information on whether they have secured a room at MSR.

Question: Can I still be on the wait list for a room at my college if I sign up for a room at Main Street Residence?

  • Answer: Yes. Undergraduate students who have signed up for a room at MSR may switch to their residential college if the wait list moves and they are offered a spot.

Question: The room and board rate for the 2027-2028 academic year won’t be set until after the housing draw in September. What if the announced rate causes a student to no longer want to live on campus due to cost concerns?

  • Answer: Housing renewal eligibility will be communicated by September 25, 2026. Eligible students will receive a Housing Agreement during the week of January 11, 2027, after room and board rates have been approved.
  • Students who sign the Housing Agreement may cancel without penalty by providing written notice to Housing & Dining on or before February 15, 2027. Cancellations received after that date will be subject to the termination charges outlined in the Housing Agreement.

Question: Typically, each residential college guarantees a bed to a small number of students who hold specific positions within their college (e.g., college president). Since elections won’t happen until the spring semester, how will this be managed given that the eligibility draw is shifting to September?

  • Answer: Each college is holding a certain number of rooms for those students who have historically been guaranteed housing. The specific number will vary by college, as agreed upon by each college leadership and the dean’s office.

Question: How will beds for transfer students (who arrive in the spring semester) be impacted by this change?

  • Answer: The dean’s office will take this into consideration when it provides each college with the number of beds to set aside and not include in its housing draw process each year.