Room Assignments (Incoming First-Year and Transfer Students)
Overview
This article explains how room assignments work for incoming first-year and transfer students, including roommate requests, housing placement factors, and assignment timelines.
Room Assignments: Frequently Asked Questions
When will I receive my room assignment?
Room assignments will be available in late August through the Undergraduate Housing Portal.
Move-in details will be sent to your UC San Diego email by your assigned housing community.
How are room assignments determined?
Assignments are based on multiple factors, including:
- Room type preferences (single, double, triple, mini double)
- Roommate requests
- Personal History Form (PHF) responses
- Available space across all housing communities
Due to space availability and demand, assignments may not match all preferences.
Can I choose my roommate?
Yes, you may request roommates or form a roommate group after completing your housing contract.
Important:
- Roommate groups cannot exceed the number of beds in a room
- All students must accept the roommate request
- Requests are not guaranteed
Additional requirements:
- Same housing process (incoming students only)
- Same housing preferences (room type, gender preferences, etc.)
Are roommate groups guaranteed to stay together?
No. While every effort is made to accommodate roommate requests, placement depends on availability and space constraints.
Where will I be assigned to live?
Incoming First-Year Students:
- Typically assigned within their college of registration
- May be placed in other communities if needed due to availability
- Roommate requests must be within the same college
Incoming Transfer Students:
- Typically assigned to upper-division housing
- May be placed in other areas, including residence halls, if needed
- May be required to select a dining plan depending on assignment
Can I choose to live at Pepper Canyon West (PCW)?
Pepper Canyon West is a 12-month contract community, and availability is limited.
- Only incoming transfer students may have the option to preference a 12-month contract for Pepper Canyon West
- This is a preference only and is not guaranteed—12-month contracts are offered based on availability
Roommate Groups:
- Roommate groups for Pepper Canyon West can only be formed with students who also have a 12-month contract
Important:
- If you are offered a 12-month contract, you may also have the option to select a 9-month contract instead
- Please review your contract carefully before signing
Once your housing contract is signed, no changes can be made to your contract term or community assignment
How many students will be assigned to a room?
Most assignments are:
- Double or triple occupancy
Limited spaces include:
Occupancy may change due to operational needs or public health guidance.
How does gender impact room assignments?
Room assignments are based on your gender information in TritonLink.
- Students are typically placed with others of the same gender
- Gender-inclusive housing (GIH) is available
- Updates to gender in TritonLink may take up to 30 days to reflect in housing
What is Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH)?
Gender Inclusive Housing allows students of different gender identities to live together.
If you opt into GIH:
- You may be assigned roommates of any gender
- Placement is based on availability and shared preferences
- GIH does not guarantee a single room
If you have specific placement needs, contact:
housingliaison@ucsd.edu
How do I request Gender Inclusive Housing?
You can opt into GIH during the housing contract by the deadline.
Students who select this option will be placed in gender-inclusive spaces within their assigned community.
What if I need housing or dining accommodations?
Students requiring accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) as early as possible.
- Completing accommodation requests does not replace housing deadlines
- All housing steps must still be completed on time
- Meet the priority deadline for OSD approved housing accommodations
Contact:
housingliaison@ucsd.edu
Phone: (858) 534-8567
What should I do if my roommate and I want to live together?
- One student creates a roommate group (group leader)
- The leader invites other students
- All students must accept the invitation by the deadline.
Important:
- Requests must be mutual
- Must meet eligibility requirements (same college for first-years, etc.)
- Requests are not guaranteed
Who to Contact for Help
Housing Allocations (Assignments & Placement)
Email: ucsdhousing@ucsd.edu
Housing Liaison (OSD accommodations, Hope Scholars, Gender Inclusive Housing)
Phone: (858) 534-8567
Email: housingliaison@ucsd.edu
Housing Contracts (Application & contract questions)
Phone: (858) 534-4010
Email: housingcontracts@ucsd.edu