Student with ArtMate in Residence Hall

Housing Lottery

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What to Expect from the Housing Selection Process

In our housing selection process, we assign returning students to campus housing and determine eligibility for off-campus housing. Each housing option—whether specific room types (e.g., apartments, single rooms) or special programs (e.g., Substance-Free Housing)—requires you to complete a housing application.  

2026 Housing Selection Updates 

Students will now use StarRez, a housing software that offers a more streamlined and user-friendly housing application and selection process. In order to participate in the housing lottery process, students must complete a housing application. This update streamlines the process and ensures clarity regarding housing preferences. During the application period, students will have the opportunity to create or join roommate groups.

Please note that students are required to live on campus unless they have been granted off-campus permission by Residence Life & Housing (RLO). Only rising seniors are eligible to request off-campus permission.

The Honor Code and Code of Responsibility govern the lottery process. Any attempt at cheating, lying or falsifying information will be treated as an Honor Code violation. The Residence Life Office treats each student with fairness and expects students to treat their peers fairly.

Housing Lottery Timeline

In addition to checking out these important sessions and dates, we recommend all students attend a Lottery Information Session, which will provide essential details on the housing application process, important timelines, and tips for a smooth selection experience. 

Students accepted into study abroad for Fall 2026 are not eligible for the 2026 housing lottery process. Information regarding Spring 2027 housing will be provided in Fall 2026.

This year's housing selection theme is...Candyland!

Date

Event

Details
Nov. 14 Tabling with Cait Residence Life Office
Jan. 23 WildcatLand Popup: Tabling Event Residence Life Office at 11 a.m.
Jan. 27 WildcatLand Popup: Tabling Event Alvarez College Union at 11 a.m.
Feb. 5 Sweet Steps to Your New Space: Info Session

Zoom

Join us for an information session where students can stop by to learn more about the housing lottery process, important timelines, and get their questions answered by RLO staff.
Feb. 10 Sweet Community, Sweet Connections An event for residents to connect with resources as they prepare for the semester, for summer, and any other opportunity to engage with Student Life and our campus partners. Food and fun provided! 
Feb. 13 AADR Housing Accommodations Deadline If you require specific housing accommodations, please submit your request to Academic Access & Disability Resources (AADR) by this deadline. Accommodation requests must be submitted each year. Contact AADR at aadr@davidson.edu to initiate the process.
Feb. 17 Candy Pair-adise: Looking for a Roommate? Room 209, Alvarez Student Union
Mar. 2 Sweet Steps to Your New Space Info Session

Sprinkle Room, Alvarez Student Union

Join us for an information session where students can stop by to learn more about the housing lottery process, important timelines, and get their questions answered by RLO staff.
Mar. 2-6 Off-Campus Exemption Form Open

Students must submit an off-campus exemption form to request off-campus permission.

  • Only rising seniors are eligible to submit requests.
  • Submitting an off-campus exemption form does not guarantee permission.
  • The RLO strongly advises students not to sign any lease for off-campus housing until off-campus permission for the 2026-2027 academic year has been granted. Students who sign leases without permission will be charged a one semester penalty rate.
Mar. 11 Sweet Steps to Your New Space

Zoom

Join us for an information session where students can stop by to learn more about the housing lottery process, important timelines, and get their questions answered by RLO staff.
Mar. 13 Off-Campus Form Notifications  
Mar. 16 Candy Castle Kickoff  Residence Life Office
Mar. 16-23 Housing Application Opens in StarRez Due by March 23.
Mar. 20 AADR Summer Housing Accommodation Deadline   
Mar. 31 Rising Seniors Selection Only students who have submitted a completed housing application and are fully matched with a roommate group may participate.
Apr. 1 Rising Juniors Selection
Apr. 2 Rising Sophomores Selection
Mar. 30-Apr. 3 Summer Applications Open  
Apr. 6-10 Housing Application Opens in StarRez  Only for students who participated in housing selection nights.
Apr. 13-17 Late Summer Application Portal Open  
Apr. 23 Round 2 Selection Night Limited to students who did not participate in the initial selection process.
Apr. 24 Summer Housing Information Release Available in StarRez Portal.
How to Apply for Housing
  1. Login to StarRez using your Davidson Student SSO Login.
  2. Click Housing Application (available Monday, March 17 at 9 a.m. through Monday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m.)
  3. Click Start Application.
  4. Complete all required fields on each page.

Important Reminders

  • Each student must complete their own application no one may apply on your behalf
  • All group members should select the same Room Preferences and Room Type
  • Group members must accept each other in the portal by March 23, 2026
  • Submitting an application does not guarantee space in your preferred building
  • Current off-campus students are required to complete the off campus exemption form