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Newly Admitted Students

Welcome to UC Berkeley!

Cal Housing wants to offer a warm welcome to you and a digital introduction to your campus housing options.

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Explore Housing

Housing Assignment Policies 

Visit Us

Applying as a New Student

Explore Campus Housing

Get started by exploring your campus housing options, all of which will provide an inviting home where scholars create memories, share ideas, and grow alongside friends. Make the most of Berkeley’s world-class education by living on campus and alongside your peers. 

First-year students: You can choose to live in one of seven residence halls that frame the boundaries of the campus. Residence halls include live-in staff (providing both social and academic support), utilities and wi-fi, community centers, on-site laundry, easy access to transportation, and much more. A meal plan is also included! 

Transfer students: Choose from any of our residence halls, or opt for independent living in one of eight campus apartment buildings, including our newest building, transfer-only Helen Diller Anchor House, opening in Fall 2024. Learn more about housing for newly-admitted transfer students.

Want to see more?

Did you know? In typical years, 96 percent of entering first-year students and over a quarter of entering transfer students have chosen university housing and the benefits that come with it.

Housing Assignment Policies

For the 2024-25 academic year:

  • Incoming first-year students are guaranteed to receive a housing offer for their first year, provided they apply on time and meet all deadlines and eligibility conditions as noted below.
  • Incoming transfer students will receive housing priority for their first year, provided they meet all deadlines and eligibility conditions as noted below. 
  • All incoming undergraduate students with dependents will receive housing priority in our family student housing, University Village.

Guarantee and Priority Conditions

In order for the above policies to apply, you must:

  • Meet all UC Berkeley and Cal Housing deadlines.
  • Adhere to all Terms and Conditions of the housing contract and residential policies.
  • Have flexible housing preferences (choose “any room, any location” as one of your housing preferences). The Housing Guarantee and Housing Priority do not ensure any specific room type, location or amenity. 

Visit Us 

Cal Housing booth at Cal Housing 2023

Visit Us In Person on Cal Day: Newly admitted students and their families are invited to Cal Day, where you can explore UC Berkeley’s campus, discover resources, and meet our vibrant community. Cal Day is Saturday, April 13, 2024. Cal Housing and Residential Life staff will be hosting outdoor booths and events on Cal Day. At the Campus Housing & Dining Block Party, you can view a model room, sample food from Berkeley Dining, explore theme programs, and meet with friendly student Resident Assistants (RAs) and residential staff. 

Visit Us Online during Cal Week: During Cal Week, April 22-26, 2024, Cal Housing will offer online information sessions to provide an overview of your housing options and answer your questions. 

Visit us at Golden Bear Welcome: Transfer students, come see us at Golden Bear Welcome, on campus on May 4, 2024. 

Check the MAP@Berkeley Admissions portal for details on all events above.

Applying as a New Student

New students (undergraduate and graduate) will need to create a Berkeley campus identification (CalNet ID) after accepting their offer of admission. You’ll need your CalNet ID to access the housing application portal. For a guide to the application, see: How to Apply: New Students.

  • May 16: Deadline for first-year students to apply for housing. Housing contract offers are sent by the end of May.
  • June 2: Deadline for transfer students to apply for housing. Housing contract offers are sent in late June.

Explore Housing FAQs for Newly Admitted First-Year Students or Transfer Student FAQs for more information.