First-Year Student Housing

Each year, approximately 850 first-year students (40%) live in the four residence halls on the Newton Campus, while 1,300 first-year students (60%) live in the 10 residence halls on Chestnut Hill campus. Approximately 100 first year students enrolled in Messina College will live on the Brookline Campus.

What type housing do first-year students live in?

All rooms for first year students on Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses are traditional style housing. Most rooms on Newton and Chestnut Hill are double occupancy, with some triple and quad options. Brookline Campus only has double occupancy rooms. All students have access to laundry facilities and study/recreation rooms. Each campus has access to a dining hall, mailroom, exercise space, and chapel.

First Year Move-In

First Year Packing Guide

Tell me more about the different campuses.

Newton Campus is located at 885 Centre Street in Newton, about 1.5 miles from the Chestnut Hill Campus. A continuous shuttle bus takes students between Newton Campus and the Chestnut Hill Main Campus seven days a week. There are no lofted triple rooms on the Newton Campus.

Upper Campus is part of the Chestnut Hill Campus and does not require use of the shuttle bus. Students living on Chestnut Hill campus may be placed in a lofted triple room. Students who opt-in to a lofted triple room are guaranteed to be placed on Upper Campus.

Brookline Campus is located at 400 Heath Street, approximately 1.3 miles from our Chestnut Hill campus. Only students enrolled in Messina College will be permitted to live on Brookline Campus. There are no lofted triple rooms on the Brookline Campus.

Newton Shuttle Bus

Boston College Maps and Directions

Housing Application Process Questions

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How do I complete the Housing Application?

The housing application will become available to students one to two business days after the enrollment confirmation fee has been submitted. The new student housing application opens on April 1 and closes on July 1, for students living on Chestnut Hill or Newton Campuses. The housing application for Messina College students willl open on April 1 and close on June 1.

To submit your housing application you will need to complete the following steps:

  1. Log in to your BC Applicant Status Portal
  2. Scroll down and select the "Complete Your Housing Application" dropdown
  3. Follow the steps provided to submit your housing application.

When will I receive my housing assignment?

Housing assignments will be communicated via email during mid-June for students living on Brookline Campus. Housing assignments for Newton and Chestnut Hill students will be communicated via email during the first week of August.

What are the available housing options for First Year students?

All rooms for first year students on Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses are traditional style housing. Most rooms on Newton and Chestnut Hill are double occupancy, with some triple and quad options. The Brookline Campus only has double occupancy rooms. All students have access to laundry facilities, exercise rooms, and entertainment/recreation areas.

Can I change my preferences after completing my Housing Application?

Students may access previously completed steps of their housing application until the application deadline. The deadline is July 1 for Newton and Chestnut Hill students, and June 1 for Brookline students.

Can I request a roommate?

Roommate requests may be made within your housing application.

What are Lofted Triples?

In a lofted triple room, three students share a space that traditionally accommodates two students. The furniture arrangement provides each student with a bed (two beds are bunked, plus one lofted bed), desk and dresser. Due to the anticipated size of our first-year class, there may be the need to establish lofted triple rooms. Lofted triple rooms are only located on Chestnut Hill Campus. Students enrolled in Messina College and living on the Brookline Campus will not have lofted triples.

Assignments Order:

We will assign students who volunteer for placement in a lofted triple room first. If there is still need to fill lofted triple rooms, due to the size of the class, the Office of Residential Life will then assign students who were admitted from the Admissions waitlist. If there is still a need to fill lofted triple rooms after these groups, Residential Life will randomly assign students.

Benefits:

Each student will receive a prorated rebate for the first 6 weeks of the semester. Following week 6, each student will retain the entire 1/3 room rate rebate for the specific semester regardless if the room is de-tripled prior to the end of the semester. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the 1/3 room rate rebate amount is $1,788 per semester.

Roommate Requests:

Students volunteering for placement within a lofted triple room may indicate roommate requests within the Roommate Requests step of your housing application, however all requested roommates must also volunteer for placement in a lofted triple room within their housing application.

De-tripling:

Within the first-year area, relocating students from lofted triple rooms is a high priority. Should a vacancy occur within the first-year area, students living in lofted triple rooms are given first preference. Students living in lofted triple rooms are not required to de-triple, if an offer is presented. The Office of Residential Life works to de-triple rooms throughout the academic year.

Can I choose to live in a Living Learning Community?

Our Living Learning Communities (LLCs) provide students the opportunity to live alongside peers who share similar interests in an environment that intentionally facilitates increased interaction with faculty and staff across various areas of the university. At this time, LLCS are only available on Newton & Chestnut Hill campuses.

When do I need to complete my Housing Application?

First-year students living on Chestnut Hill and Newton campuses must complete the Housing Application by July 1. Students living on Brookline Campus must complete their Housing Application by June 1. You will not be able to make changes to your application after that time.