What is Room Selection?
Room Selection is an annual process during which eligible students select on-campus housing for the following academic year. Students can participate as an Individual or a part of a Group to pick into corridor- and suite-style upperclass residence halls.
What's New for 2026?
The Housing Lottery now runs as a single process by Point Value priority (instead of the previously separate 4, 5, 6, and 123 Lotteries).
The Lottery remains similar for students participating as individuals.
Students in Groups may pick entire empty suites and/or individual rooms (in corridor-style housing or available partial suites).
Lottery Numbers & Time Slots will be generated for each Point Value group after the previous group has finished selecting. This helps students make informed grouping decisions based on the spaces still available to select.
Students are encouraged to form groups before the priority deadlines, but can also regroup after receiving Lottery Numbers for maximum flexibility.
What About New First Year & Transfer Students?
New enrolling students may apply for campus housing starting in late May (in December for Spring Transfers).
Learn about the Process
The best way to prepare for Room Selection is to do your homework: confirm if you are eligible, attend an info session, check out the Calendar, read up about the Lottery
Point Values
All students are assigned a Point Value based on their graduation year. Individual & Group Lottery Numbers and Selection Times are randomized by Point Value.
Explore the Res Halls
Check out photos, videos, and floorplans for the upperclass residence halls. During the Lottery, students can see which rooms are available to select.
Fly Solo or Team Up?
Students will decide to participate as an individual or to form a group. There are priority deadlines to form groups, but they can also regroup up until they pick rooms.
Submit the Intent Form
ALL eligible students must submit the Room Selection Intent Form, even if they plan to move off-campus, study abroad, take a leave of absence, or already have a room assignment.
Select a Room
Students are provided a Selection Time, randomized by their Point Value. This determines the order in which students select a room. Some students will sign up for the Guaranteed List (instead of picking a room) to be assigned over the summer.
Are You Part of a Pre-Assigned Group?
Students in the groups below must submit the Intent Form & sign a Housing Agreement (otherwise, they will lose their housing). Because they already have a room assignment, they will not participate in the Housing Lottery.
CARDS Pre-Lottery Accommodations & Pull-Ins
Students who need accommodations for a disability or medical condition. They may request a friend (Pull-In) to be placed with them.
RAs & Pull-Ins
RAs are assigned to rooms by the Res Life office. In some buildings, RAs can choose students to live with them (Pull-Ins). Details will be provided to applicants hired as RAs for next year.
Columbia Greek & SICs
Students may apply to be in a Special Interest Community or may be assigned to a Greek chapter house.
Planning to Study Abroad?
Questions?
Check out the FAQ, attend an Info Session (available in early March), email RoomSelection@barnard.edu, or stop by the Res Life office (110 Sulzberger)