Open Selection | Students
Columbia Residential understands that not all housing-eligible students receive an assignment during the allocation process or may apply after that period has closed. Open Selection provides an additional opportunity for eligible students to apply for housing in units that remain available after the regular process.
Because Open Selection is designed to fill immediate vacancies, available units will only have move-in dates within the near future—typically within 1–2 months. Students who are seeking a later move-in date will not see options at this time. They are encouraged to return to the Housing Portal closer to their desired move-in date, when additional units may become available.
Students should review the information below carefully to fully understand the process and the limitations of Open Selection housing.
Key Information
- Housing through Open Selection is offered only until May 31, or earlier if the student’s affiliation ends sooner and must Move-Out by end of agreement.
- Extensions are not guaranteed and require school approval via the Affiliation Review process.
- Students who confirm housing through Open Selection are not eligible to transfer.
- Open Selection is not sequential; any eligible student can participate as soon as they are made eligible, until a unit is confirmed, or the Open Selection period ends.
- Available units will only have move-in dates within the near future—typically within 1–2 months.
- Housing availability is not guaranteed. If no units appear after clearing all filters, no inventory is available. Because inventory changes regularly, students are encouraged to continue checking back for new openings.
Open Selection Process
- Application
- Students must complete an application in the Housing Portal. Once eligibility is confirmed, housing selection appointment details will be sent to the student’s Columbia email.
- Open Selection applications expire at the end of each application cycle. Students interested in housing for an upcoming cycle must submit a new application to be considered.
- Review Available Housing: Students can log in to the Housing Portal under the Assignment tab to see available units and participate in Housing Selection.
- Multiple logins are permitted throughout the selection period to check availability.
- Additional details beyond what is displayed in the Housing Portal cannot be provided.
- Unit Selection: Once a unit is selected, students have two business days to accept or decline the Housing Offer.
- To secure the unit, a $750 non-refundable reservation fee must be paid via credit or debit card.
- Housing offers cannot be extended beyond the expiration date.
- Late responses or replies via email will not be accepted.
Prospective students with additional questions about this process are encouraged to Contact Us.