Panther Housing Selection for the 2026-2027 academic year
Current first-year and continuing students are able to select where they live and
select preferred roommates through the Panther Housing Selection Process. The Panther
Housing Selection process is held in-person every spring semester.
As a reminder, at Chapman, living in campus housing for three years is required for students who entered in fall 2024 or later.
The process
1. Apply for Housing by the deadline: Current first-year and continuing students will apply for housing and for the 2026-2027
academic year through theChapman Housing Portal beginning February 9, 2026. For your housing application to be considered complete, you must also submit the $500 non-refundable Housing Reservation Payment by March 2, 2026.
There is no advantage or benefit to applying early or on the first day. All applications
and non-refundable Housing Reservation Payments that are received by the deadline
will be considered in our initial selection process pool.
2.Receive a randomized timeslot via email: Before the start of Panther Housing Selection, students who have applied will receive
a randomized timeslot from the Office of Residence Life and First Year Experience
via their Chapman student email. The timeslot will indicate the time and day students
can go to select their housing in-person.
Please note that the timeslot that you are assigned does not guarantee that you will
be able to select any particular assignment. We recommend students come prepared with
other housing options if their top housing preferences are unavailable.
3. Attend in-person housing selection: Students will go to in-person at their given timeslot to select housing for the 2026-2027
academic year.
Students with preferred roommates: Students with one or more preferred roommates can compare timeslots with their roommates
and come to the earliest timeslot to select housing.
Students without preferred roommates: Students without a preferred roommate can come to the selection process on their
own, and staff will assist with selecting available spaces.
Students who are unable to make their given timeslot: Students and/or preferred roommate groups who are unable to attend in-person housing
selection at their given timeslot may come anytime after their timeslot.
We want to remind students that academics are important, and we highly discourage students from skipping academic obligations to attend housing selection.
4. Receive a confirmation email:After the Panther Housing Selection process has concluded, the Office of Residence
Life and First Year Experience will send a confirmation email around mid-July with
information regarding assigned building, space, and roommate information.
Panther Housing Selection timeline
February 9, 2026: Housing applications opens.
March 2, 2026: Priority application deadline and Housing Reservation Payment due.
March 30-31 and April 6-10*, 2026: Students attend in-person housing selection based on their given randomized timeslot.
Mid-July, 2026: Students will receive a confirmation email with housing assignments and roommate
information.
August 20-23, 2026: Continuing students can move into their new housing assignment during their check-in
time. More information regarding signing up for a check-in time and moving in will
be provided by the students’ building manager toward the end of summer.
*The Office of Residence Life and First Year Experience made an edit to the Panther
Housing Selection dates on March 24, 2026.
Timeslots are randomized within each entry term group. Your entry term is the first
semester you started taking classes at Chapman. See below for the Entry Term priority.
1st housing selection priority: Fall 2023, Spring 2024
2nd housing selection priority:Fall 2024, Spring 2025
3rd housing selection priority:Fall 2025, Spring 2026
Panther Housing Selection Process
Curious about what the Panther Housing Selection process looks? Watch ourPanther Housing Selection process video for a quick walkthrough of the process so you know exactly what to expect on your
selection day.
Panther Housing Selection Process Tips
Research your housing options: Research all housing options available to you. Come prepared with options if your
top choices are unavailable. We recommend you create a list and rank all continuing
student housing options buildings. Here are some things to consider:
The floor you wish to live on
Preferred location in the building
Shared vs. single room options (there is a cost difference!)
On campus vs. distanced communities
The parking situation in each community
Room layouts
What your commute to campus looks like
Apartment and community amenities
Need help organizing your thoughts? You can download our Panther Housing Selection Decision Worksheet to help you figure out what your housing goals and what you value most in your next
living environment.
Communicate with your preferred roommates: Communication is key! Talk to your preferred roommates about all housing options.
Keep in mind, if we are unable to accommodate your group in the same unit, and your
group has to split up, come prepared with options on how your group will split up.
Be familiar with housing rates: Be familiar with the cost of your housing preferences. If you have preferred roommates,
be sure to talk about housing rates so the entire group is in agreement with the cost
of housing, and the cost of single and shared spaces.
Visit the communities: Experience the communities for yourself! Walk, drive, or take the shuttle to the
communities and envision yourself living there. Speak with previous or current residents
about what it's like to live in specific communities.
Be flexible: The housing selection process can be a time of exciting change! We know emotions
can be at an all-time high, but be flexible with what is available to you during your
selection time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Toggle Section
Who is required to live on campus?
All students who enter Chapman fall 2024 or later, and enter within one year of their
high school graduation date are required to live in Chapman housing through the end
of their third year.
All first-year students without an approved exemption on file are required to live
in Chapman housing until the end of their third year.
How do preferred roommates select housing?
If you are a student with preferred roommates, your group can compare timeslots, then
select housing at the earliest timeslot of your group.
Not all preferred roommates have to attend selection together.
It is recommended that someone from the roommate group is designated to select housing
on behalf of the entire group.
Do all preferred roommates have to attend selection together?
No, not all roommates have to attend selection.Roommate groups candesignatea roommate to select housing on behalf of the entire group.
What if I don't have a preferred roommate?
If you do not have a roommate,that'sokay! You can come to the selection process by yourself, and our staff will help you
select housing from the available spaces.
What if I'm currently studying abroad and can’t select housing in-person?
If you are abroad and are unable to come to Chapman University in-person during the selection dates,
you may designate a proxy to select housing in person on your behalf.
To request a proxy, please email our office at reslife@chapman.edu with the full name of your proxy and copy that individual on the email.
It is your responsibility to communicate your building and room preferences to your
proxy and to contact our office with any questions you may have.
What if I can't make it to my timeslot due to academic obligations?
If you are unable to appear in person at your designed timeslot date and time, you
may come any time after your timeslot has passed. We recommend you come in to select
as close to your timeslot as possible to maximize your housing options.We highly discourage you from skipping academic obligations to attend housingselection.
What if I can't make it to my timeslot because I'm observing a religious holiday?
Students unable to attend their given timeslot or any of the Panther Housing Selection
dates from March 30-31 and April 6-13, due to observing a religious holiday, may designate a
proxy to select housing on their behalf.
To request a proxy, please email our office at reslife@chapman.edu with the full name of your proxy and copy (CC) that individual on the email.
It is the student's responsibility to communicate their building and room preferences
to their proxy and to contact our office with any questions they may have.
Renter's insurance is not required. However, we partner with GradGuard to provide
students with renter's insurance. For any questions about renter's insurance with
GradGuard, please visit https://gradguard.com/renters/chapman
