The virtual and real-time Room Selection process allows you to pick your preferred housing style, location on campus, and your roommate(s)! Choose from a variety of housing options throughout our residence hall communities - making it easy to find your perfect fit.
Make sure to review our residence halls, room layouts and rates as you prepare to make your selection.
Important Dates
We encourage you to select a space by 4 p.m. on March 9. And note: once your room has been selected and confirmed, you will not be able to change or switch your assignment. Your next opportunity for a room change will be the Summer Reassignment process in April.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2 through March 9, 2026 | Room Selection Process Available |
| March 13, 2026 | Final Results Email |
| April 27, 2026 | Summer Reassignment process begins |
Process Overview
Step 1: Complete the Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement
Submit your online application by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, February 23 to participate in Room Selection.
Step 2: Roommate Matching & Roommate Groups
Decide if you want to pick your roommates and form a group, go solo, or choose a space with another Terp.
Beginning February 9, use the Housing Portal to create your own roommate groups or as an individual search for potential roommates. To do so, select the Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement, select the correct term (Fall 2026 to Spring 2027), and follow the steps after the application status page. Up to 6 students can join a group.
If you have roommates in mind:
- Assign a group leader (ideally the member with the best appointment slot) to create your group in the portal. Every student must accept the group invitation within 2 days to participate.
- Choose ahead of time what room everyone gets. At their appointment time, the group leader will find a space that fits the entire group and assign rooms for every member. Please limit access to the housing portal to the group leader to avoid time lags.
If you don’t have a preferred roommate or don’t want to be part of a group:
- Individual students may select a space within suites, apartments, semi-suites, and traditional halls at your appointed time.
Step 3: Make a Plan
- Explore inventory
Check out all your on-campus housing options, including semi-suites, suites, and apartment living. Take a virtual tour of our residence hall options. - Communicate your preferences
Discuss your housing options as a group. Tell other members what room style you prefer and discuss roommate pairs. Share your UID with the group leader. Starting February 9, the group leader forms the group and sends invites through the portal. Also, discuss Plan B options should the preferred housing style/type not be available. - Receive your appointment time
Once you get your appointment time, determine which group member has the earliest slot. Change the group leader if necessary. - Watch our video series
Get a better idea of what to expect from room selection with our how-to video series.
Step 4: Select Your Room
At the group leader’s appointment time, select for the entire group. The group leader will select for each group member into bedroom assignments.
Make arrangements to gather around a computer together, share your screen over Zoom, and designate the group leader to choose your space. Stay in touch during your selection appointment time. Please limit access to the housing portal to the group leader to avoid time lags.
Appointment Information
On Wednesday, February 25, all eligible students will receive their Room Selection appointment time for selection on March 2 through March 9.
Group Selection: March 2–9
March 2-3: Rising sophomores in the ACES, IBH, and DCC programs participate in Group Selection, forming groups of 4 students, to choose a semi-suite in Prince Frederick Hall.
Small Group and Individual Selection: March 2–9
March 2-3: Rising sophomores in the Scholars, ILS, Gemstone, HGC, Honors Humanities, Writers House, and University Honors programs participate in Individual and Small Group Selection (1-3 students) to choose rooms within their individual program locations.
Suite, Apartment, Semi-Suite Group Options: March 2–9
March 2-3: Rising sophomores who are interested in apartments, suites, and semi-suites in Leonardtown, South Hill, and Oakland can select rooms if they have a group size from 4 to 6.
March 3: Eligible rising juniors/seniors who are interested in South Hill suites and apartments, Leonardtown apartments, and Oakland semi-suites, can select rooms if they have a group size from 4 to 6.
Small Group and Individual Selection: March 2–9
March 2-3: Rising sophomores who are interested in South Hill suites and apartments, Leonardtown apartments, Oakland semi-suites, and traditional hall singles, doubles, triples, and quads can select rooms if they have a group size from 1 to 3.
March 3: Eligible rising juniors/seniors who are interested in South Hill suites and apartments, Leonardtown apartments, Oakland semi-suites, and traditional hall singles, doubles, triples, and quads can select rooms if they have a group size from 1 to 3.
March 9
March 9 at 4:00 p.m.: Last chance for students to select a room for the 2026-2027 academic year and avoid cancellation of their Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement.
March 13
March 13: Students who selected a space during Room Selection will receive a final results email confirming their room selected for the 2026-2027 academic year. Students who did not select a space will have their housing agreement canceled automatically.
Helpful Videos
Exploring Our Residence Hall Spaces
Completing Your Housing Agreement
Forming a Roommate Group
Choosing a Residence Hall Space
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still apply for housing after the February 23 deadline?
Yes, you may still apply for residence hall housing and your application will be added to our housing waitlist. Students on the housing waitlist will be updated no later than May 15.
Am I guaranteed on-campus housing?
We are happy to share that this year, all rising sophomores, as well as juniors/seniors in exempted groups will be able to select a room as long as they apply before the February 23 deadline!
All other rising juniors and seniors will be added to the waitlist.
Agreements submitted after the priority deadline (February 23) will be added to our housing waitlist. Students who miss the deadline and rising juniors and rising seniors will receive an update no later than May 15.
What on-campus housing options are available to me?
You have a variety of options available to you, from apartments, suites, and semi-suites to traditional-style housing.
Apartments range from 3-5 bedrooms and 1-2 baths - with a kitchen and furnished dining, living, and bedrooms - and fit up to 8 students. Apartments are located in the Leonardtown and South Hill communities.
Note: Students living in apartments are not required to have a dining plan, but must select a meal plan with their housing application. You may cancel it later using the Dining Services portal.
In a temporary arrangement, Resident Life will oversee a few Houses on Fraternity Row for another year. These buildings include traditional-style housing with singles, doubles, and triples, with large community spaces and a shared residential kitchen. Students living in the Houses, similar to apartment-style housing, are not required to have a dining plan, but must select a meal plan with their housing application. You may cancel it later using the Dining Service portal.
Suites range from 3-5 bedrooms and 1-2 baths - with furnished living rooms and bedrooms - and fit up to 8 students. Suites are located in the South Hill community.
Semi-suites offer two double rooms connected by a semi-private bathroom and shared by four roommates. Semi-suites are located in Oakland Hall.
Most rooms in the traditional-style halls are doubles (shared by two students) - but you may also choose from singles, triples, and quads - and each floor has two large community bathrooms. Traditional hall options are located in Denton, Heritage, Oakland, and North Hill communities.
What happens if someone in our group doesn't accept their invitation?
If someone does not accept the invitation to join your group, you have a few options:
- Invite someone else to be in your group
- Use Roommate Finder to search for and invite someone else to be in your group
- Select a space based on your current group size
What if I want to stay in my current room for the next year?
If your current room is available during your appointment, you will be able to select it. If your current room is not available during your appointment, you will need to select a new space.
What if I selected a room for the 2026-2027 year and changed my mind about living on campus?
Returning students may cancel their Housing Agreement upon valid grounds outlined in the Terms and Conditions by April 1, 2026 without a fee. After April 1, students will be charged a late cancellation fee, per the fee schedule (outlined in the Terms and Conditions).
You will not have an opportunity to cancel your Agreement after you check in to your assigned space.
Submit a Housing cancellation request through the Housing Portal or by sending us an email at reslife@umd.edu.
If I'm currently living off campus, can I move back on campus for the 2026-2027 year?
Initially, you will be placed on the waitlist and will receive an update no later than May 15. You will not be eligible to participate in Room Selection.
What if I have other questions or a unique situation?
We’re here to help if you have any questions or would like to talk through the specifics of your situation.
Please email us at reslife@umd.edu or call (301) 314-2100 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.