FAQ | Postdoc Waitlist

The term “waitlist” can be confusing! This means your sponsoring school or department did not approve you for a housing allocation, but you can remain eligible and potentially secure housing through the Postdoc Waitlist.  

The waitlist is a way for eligible postdocs to be considered for housing and receive assignments for units that remain vacant after the housing approval period has ended. Additional information can be found on the Postdoc Waitlist Guidelines. 

Postdocs eligible for housing, including those who were not yet approved for housing by their department, can apply each semester for the housing waitlist.  

The waitlist review for Fall happens in July, and the review for Spring happens in February. 

You may be considered for the waitlist by completing a housing application in the Housing Portal. You will be required to attach proof of full-time employment (I.e., signed appointment letter) to your application or email it to [email protected].   

Housing through the waitlist is subject to inventory availability and is not guaranteed. 

Postdocs approved for housing from the waitlist may select an accommodation during their assigned housing selection appointment. Shortly after being approved for housing, applicants receive an email confirming their housing selection appointment within the following few weeks.  

Housing selection allows applicants to view all available units for which they are eligible and directly select the unit they wish to live in through the Housing Portal. Please review our Housing Selection FAQs for additional information on how to choose a unit. 

Typically, units offered from the waitlist are available for immediate move-in.  

If you miss an appointment time or your selected offers expire or are declined, postdocs must reapply to be added back to the waitlist. A maximum of two housing applications may be submitted each semester.  

Waitlist applications expire at the end of each semester. Postdocs interested in housing for the next semester must submit a new application to be considered again. 

Postdocs who receive housing from the waitlist are offered a one-year lease term only.  

Unfortunately, incoming residents who are in housing from the waitlist are not eligible to apply for a transfer during their one-year lease. 

To be eligible to remain in housing beyond the one-year lease term you must request an Affiliation Review to obtain an allocation from your respective school. You may request a review at least two months before the end of your lease. Extensions may only be accommodated for postdocs who receive an allocation from their school or department. 

Unfortunately, if you do not receive an allocation from your school or department, you will be required to vacate your assigned apartment by the end of your one-year lease. Please review the Moving Out Guidelines for additional information on how to file and complete your vacancy. 

Have a question you think we missed? 

Email us at [email protected] so we can address your question and possibly add it to this page to help other potential residents!