Waitlist Process | Postdocs

Postdocs who are eligible for housing with Residential but are not approved and allocated by their department, may be considered for the housing waitlist and participate in housing selection to choose from units remaining after the approval period ends. 

  • Housing through the Postdoc Waitlist is offered for a one-year lease term maximum.
  • Extensions are not guaranteed and require school approval via the Affiliation Review process. 
  • Postdocs who confirm housing through waitlist housing selection are not eligible to apply for a transfer. 
  • Housing is not guaranteed and depends on availability.
  • Information about the waitlist will be shared in late December/early January for the Spring application cycle, and in late June/early July for the Fall cycle.  

Application 

  • Postdocs complete an application in the Housing Portal. Once reviewed and confirmed as eligible, schools may add candidates to the waitlist.
  • If waitlisted, candidates will receive information about a waitlist housing selection appointment via their Columbia email address, pending inventory availability. 
  • Waitlisted applications expire at the end of each application cycle. Postdocs interested in housing for an upcoming cycle must submit a new application to be considered.  

Review Available Housing

  • Postdocs approved for the waitlist can log in to the Housing Portal under the Assignment tab to review available units during their selection appointment.
  • Multiple logins are permitted throughout the selection period to check availability. 
  • Additional details about available units cannot be provided beyond what is displayed in the Housing Portal during selection. 

Unit Selection 

  • Once a a unit is selected from the waitlist, postdocs have 5 days to accept or decline the offer.
  • To secure a unit, a security deposit must be paid via credit or debit card. 
  • Housing offers may not always be extended beyond the expiration date. 

Columbia Residential understands that the housing process is an important part of each postdoc's Columbia experience. Our team is here to guide and support postdocs throughout the waitlist process. Postdocs with questions or in need of assistance are encouraged to reach out—we are always glad to help.