🏠 Princeton University — Parent Guide

🏠 How housing selection works at Princeton University

Princeton organizes undergraduate housing aroundsixfor freshmen and sophomores, with upperclassmen choosing from a variety of housing options on campus.

Freshman & Sophomore Years:All first-year students are assigned to one of six — Butler, Forbes, Mathey, West, Rockefeller, or Whitman. Students are assigned by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students. Each college has its own dining hall, common spaces, and Fellows (faculty who engage with students). Most students remain in their assigned college through sophomore year.

Upperclass Housing:Rising juniors and seniors enter the room draw for upperclass dormitories and special-interest houses. Options include traditional dormitories, four-person suites, and single rooms. A lottery assigns each student a pick time, with seniors generally drawing earlier than juniors.

Eating Clubs:Princeton's 11 eating clubs (located on Prospect Avenue) are not dormitories, but many upperclassmen choose to "bicker" (audition) or sign in to eating clubs for their dining and social life during junior and senior years. Club membership does not affect housing placement.

Special Interest Housing:Several upperclass options include language houses, identity-affirming spaces, and interest-based communities. Applications for these are typically due in the spring.