Choosing Your Room for the Academic Year

New students

New and transfer students refer to the Admitted Students information to complete your housing preference form, a part of your checklist.

• Complete the form to help us assign your housing and roommate.
• Log back in to update your preferences or make changes anytime until the last Sunday of June.
• New students don't participate in the annual room selection process.
• Contact your admission counselor if you have questions.

Current Students

All students are required to live on campus until they fulfill the residency requirement. Cornell College requires every student to participate in some form of housing selection process, even those on the off-campus wait list or seeking a housing exemption. The selection process is virtual, so you'll need access to a computer, phone, or tablet.

We have spaced out the various parts of the housing selection process throughout the Spring semester to give you time to explore your options. Be sure to check your email and the room selection website for updates, timelines, and expectations.

Room Availability

Housing options may change before each selection process due to various factors like Resident Assistant selection, Living & Learning Community selection, and overall occupancy needs. A list of available rooms will be posted prior to selection, although we can't guarantee a room available this year will return next year.

Room rates

Room rates depend on the occupancy of the specific room. Most rooms are shared and billed at the standard double rate. Single rooms are an additional cost per block.

Meal plans

All students must participate in the College's meal plan. Some housing options allow for a partial meal plan, but if you don't secure a space in a lottery that allows it, you'll need to participate in the full meal plan. Refer to information on meal plans for complete meal plan requirements.

All-gender housing

We offer all-gender housing options to meet diverse gender identities and expressions. Learn more about all-gender housing options.

Students gone part or all of fall semester

If you are away for Blocks 1 and 2, you can still participate in Room Selection. But you will be reserving the room for the whole year, even if unoccupied, so you will be responsible for room charges even if  have not moved in. If you're away for the entire first semester, we will contact you in the late fall to assign you housing prior to your return.

Intent to withdraw

Students intending to withdraw must contact the the Registrar's Office StayPurple@cornellcollege.edu no later than Monday, March 17, 2025. Students not returning next fall can't participate in room selection.

Students who do not participate in room selection activities, and whom notify the the Registrar's Office by the deadline will be eligible for a refund of their enrollment deposit (less any charges owed the College).  Students may contact the Registrar's Office at 319.895.4382, email  Staypurple@cornellcollege.edu, or contact our office. Refer to Division of Business and Enterprise Services' information on enrollment deposits for more details.

Off-campus wait list

• Each year the Dean of Students may authorize a portion of the senior class to live off-campus. Sign up for the off-campus wait list if interested for next year. Students who meet one or more of the College's off-campus housing criteria should refer to the information about off-campus housing.

Living and Learning Communities

• Students interested in applying for a Living and Learning Community charter should attend an informational session. Refer to the living and learning communities information for details.

Apartments and suites

• Students should refer to the information on suites and apartments for details on living in Russell Hall or Wilch Apartments.

All other housing options

• For singles, doubles, triples, and quads in all other buildings, refer to the information on general room draw.