Housing Options: Princeton's Graduate Student Accommodation

Housing is a significant concern for graduate students, and Princeton University offers various on- and off-campus housing options to meet their needs. The university's Graduate Housing Office provides comprehensive support, from application procedures to specific accommodation options, ensuring that incoming and returning graduate students can find suitable housing. This includes resources for navigating the campus and understanding the selection process and important dates. With a range of dormitories, annexes, and apartments available, Princeton is committed to accommodating its graduate student population.

Princeton's housing application process and deadlines

Princetons Housing Application Process and Deadlines

Princeton University offers housing resources for graduate students, with more than 70% of graduate students living in campus housing. The application process and deadlines for Princeton's graduate student housing are outlined below.

Application Process:

• The Incoming Graduate Student Housing Application typically opens on March 1, with an application deadline of April 19.
• Princeton aims to offer housing to all incoming graduate students who meet this deadline.
• Housing assignments are based on availability and are not guaranteed to meet specific type, size, or location requests. However, priority is given to students in lower years of study.
• Students with families have housing options available and can include their names on their housing application.
• Students who are unsuccessful in the Room Draw process are automatically added to a waitlist, and those who were not part of the Room Draw can apply to be added to the end of the list.
• Nondegree students (VSRCs) may apply for housing at any time through the My Housing for Graduates portal. Their housing options are limited to specific residences and they are not eligible to have family members reside with them.
• Students returning from field study or a leave of absence can apply for housing at any time during the year.

Deadlines:

• The deadline for the Incoming Graduate Student Housing Application is typically April 19.
• Students who receive a contract offer will typically receive it by mid-June.
• Renewal offers for current students are sent on December 20 and must be accepted by 5:00 pm on December 27.

On-campus housing options for graduate students

Princeton University offers on-campus housing options for graduate students, and it makes every effort to provide an offer of university housing to all incoming graduate students. The application process for on-campus housing for new graduate students typically opens around March, with an application deadline in mid-April. Offers are usually made by mid-June, and students can expect to receive a contract for an apartment or dormitory based on availability.

For their first year, most incoming graduate students are housed in the Graduate College (GC), Annexes, or Walker Hall. The GC dormitories offer a great opportunity to get to know your classmates, and residents are required to purchase a meal plan, meaning most meals are taken in Procter Hall. The Annexes provide more flexibility, as residents are not required to purchase a meal plan. Both the GC and Annexes are furnished, making them ideal for short-term stays.

After the first year, students can typically secure on-campus housing in apartments or dorms through the room draw process. Lakeside Apartments and Townhouses, located on campus next to Lake Carnegie, offer one to four-bedroom units, with 30% being furnished. The Lawrence Drive Apartments are another option, located just off Alexander Road, with a mix of studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments, all unfurnished.

Graduate students are eligible for housing for the duration of their program length, although priority is given to those in their earlier years of study. Students can expect to live on campus for their first three years if they maintain their current residence.

Off-campus housing options for graduate students

Princeton University Housing and Real Estate Services offers limited housing services and resources for off-campus housing. The cost of housing in the local area varies depending on your lifestyle and proximity to campus.

The Off-Campus Housing website has listings of rental rooms, apartments, houses, and roommates. This site is intended for Princeton faculty, staff, students, and approved guests. Landlords, property managers, and realtors may register to list properties, furnished or unfurnished. Princeton affiliates may use this site with their NetID, and guests may register to use it without a NetID.

Students in their fourth year and above may want to consider consulting various resources to locate a house or apartment off-campus. Be sure to take advantage of the listings on the Off-Campus Housing website maintained by Housing and Real Estate Services.

Housing contract and dining options

Princeton University makes every effort to offer housing to all incoming graduate students who meet the application deadline. The Incoming Graduate Student Housing Application opens on March 1, with an application deadline of April 19. If you apply by the deadline, you can expect a contract offer by mid-June.

Most incoming graduate students are housed in the Graduate College (GC), Annexes, or Walker Hall for their first year. The rooms are furnished, making them ideal for short-term stays. As a resident of the GC or Walker Hall, you are required to purchase a meal plan, meaning you will take most of your meals in Procter Hall with your classmates. Residents of the Annexes are not required to purchase a meal plan.

For the next two to three years, students are typically able to secure on-campus housing in apartments or dorms through the room draw process. Priority for housing is given to students in the lower years of study.

Graduate students are eligible for housing for the duration of their program length, but not all students will be successful in maintaining residence throughout. As a graduate student, you can expect to live on campus for your first three years if you retain your current residence.

If you are a student with a family, housing options are available. You can also choose to live off-campus. Princeton's Housing and Real Estate Services maintains a website of off-campus rental properties within a commutable distance from the university. The site includes listings for houses, apartments, rooms, shares, and sublets.

Housing priority and eligibility

Housing priority at Princeton is given to graduate students in their earlier years of study. Students in their first three years can expect to live on campus if they maintain their current residence. Students in their fourth year and above may need to consider off-campus housing.

Princeton makes every effort to offer housing to all incoming graduate students who meet the application deadline. However, this offer is not based on a specific type, size, or location. The ability to accommodate a request for a pet-friendly unit is based on availability. Most incoming graduate students are housed in the Graduate College (GC), Annexes, or Walker Hall for their first year. The next two to three years, students are typically able to secure on-campus housing in apartments or dorms through the room draw process.

Students currently living in housing are eligible to apply for housing or may be eligible for retention of housing for the following academic year. The annual graduate housing draw process, which takes place each year late in the fall semester, determines whether a student will be able to maintain an on-campus residence. All students within their program lengths are encouraged to apply for room draw so that they may be automatically put on the housing waitlist if they are unsuccessful in getting a room or apartment.

Nondegree students (VSRCs) may apply for housing at any time. Housing for nondegree students is limited to the Old Graduate College, New Graduate College, Walker Hall, and the Annexes. They are not eligible to live in graduate housing apartments, nor can family members reside with them. Availability is limited to vacancies at the time of application.

Frequently asked questions