First-Year Student Housing

First-year students receive housing application information when they matriculate in May. In their housing application, due online on in early June, students will indicate roommate-matching preferences, as well as other preferences that aid in the assignment process. Students receive their assignment and roommate information by the end of June.

First-year assignments are done on a random basis. Duke University is committed to encouraging our students to embrace new experiences, and our random process allows students to be exposed to a myriad of cultures, view-points, and value systems. While first-year students are offered the opportunity to indicate a preferred roommate, we encourage all of our students to participate in this random process for a truly educational and eye-opening experience!

Many of our students will choose to participate in The Focus Program or in one of our Living/Learning Communities. Participation in these programs will partially determine housing placement, as each program is housed in a specific building.