Finding the perfect place to live in college is stressful anywhere, especially for students on campuses with limited housing like Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech has recently changed the first come, first serve basis for on-campus housing for upperclassmen to a lottery-based system, leaving students with many questions about how the new system works and what it means for them.
To help better explain the new lottery system and give insight into the on-campus housing application process, we have written this guide addressing the most common questions and concerns from students, including:
- How do you apply for Georgia Tech housing?
- What is the lottery system?
- Who is entered into the housing lottery?
- How does the Georgia Tech Housing Lottery work?
- Do second-years still get priority for on-campus housing?
- What does it mean if I am on a waitlist for GT housing?
- What are my chances of getting off the on-campus housing waitlist?
How do you apply for Georgia Tech On-Campus Housing?
First, let’s cover what the application process looks like for Georgia Tech on-campus housing. Applying for on-campus housing at Georgia Tech is done through the GT Housing and Residence Life Portal. Whether you’re a first-year student or an upperclassman, you can follow these steps to apply for housing:
- Log In to the Georgia Tech Housing Portal
Access your My Housing Portal using your Georgia Tech credentials. This platform is your central hub for all housing-related activities, including applications, roommate selection and room assignments. - Complete the Housing Application and Sign the Housing Contract
Fill out the application with your personal details and housing preferences. You’ll have the opportunity to specify room types, preferred roommates and any special accommodations. You’ll need to sign the Housing Contract in order to complete this application. - Note the Deadlines
Deadlines vary depending on your student classification. Below are the dates for the 2025-2026 school year as an example:- Incoming First-Year Students: Applications for the 2025-2026 Academic Year open in early 2025 (exact date to be announced). Apply by June 30, 2025, to receive a randomized self-assign time-ticket. Self-assignment begins in early July 2025.
- Rising Second-Year Students: Applications open on September 30, 2024, with a deadline of November 18, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. Meeting this deadline ensures you receive a self-assign time-ticket based on accrued credit hours.
- Other Returning Undergraduate and Graduate Students: Applications also open on September 30, 2024, with the same November 18, 2024, deadline to participate in the housing lottery.
- Incoming Graduate Students: Application dates will be announced in Spring 2025. Apply by May 31, 2025, to participate in the lottery.
- Incoming Transfer Students: Application dates will be announced in Spring 2025. Apply by June 30, 2025, to participate in the lottery.
For the most current information and specific dates, regularly check the Georgia Tech Housing and Residence Life website.
Georgia Tech housing portal page.
What is the Georgia Tech Housing Lottery?
The Georgia Tech on-campus housing lottery system is designed to make housing assignments for upperclassmen more efficient, equitable and transparent. This new system replaces the former first-come, first-served approach, ensuring every eligible student has a fair opportunity to secure on-campus housing.
Who is entered into the Georgia Tech Housing Lottery?
According to the Georgia Tech Housing and Residence Life, New Transfer, New Graduate Students, Returning Graduate Students, and Returning Upper-level Undergraduate students will participate in the lottery.
New First-years, Rising Second-Years, and Pell-Recipients will not participate in the lottery, and will be given priority on-campus housing assignments.
How does the Georgia Tech Housing Lottery work?
Once the application period closes, each student in the lottery is randomly assigned a lottery number. This number determines the order in which students can participate in the room selection process. Students with lower numbers have earlier access to available rooms, giving them more options.
After the lottery numbers are assigned, students will receive an email notification with their number and detailed instructions for the room selection process. Notifications are typically sent out in early December.
After this, students are able to select roommate(s) and their room if selected for the lottery based off of their lottery number.
Do GT second-years still get priority for on-campus housing?
Rising second-year students continue to receive priority, ensuring they have an increased likelihood of securing on-campus housing. However, submitting applications by the deadline remains critical to guarantee eligibility for priority.
What does it mean if I am on a waitlist for GT housing?
Students who do not secure a room during the initial selection process will be placed on a waitlist. The waitlist operates on a first-come, first-served basis, prioritized by the original lottery numbers. As rooms become available, students on the waitlist will be notified.
While it can feel uncertain, being on the waitlist doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Here’s what you need to know:
- How the Waitlist Works
The waitlist operates on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority determined by your original lottery number. Students with lower lottery numbers are given priority over those with higher numbers as rooms become available. - How Are Rooms Assigned from the Waitlist?
As other students cancel their housing contracts or fail to complete their assignments, these rooms are released and offered to students on the waitlist. The housing office will notify you via email if a room becomes available for you to select. - Notification Process
If you are next on the waitlist and a room opens up, you will receive an email notification with instructions to log into the My Housing Portal and complete the room assignment process. These notifications are typically time-sensitive, so it’s essential to check your email regularly. - Options While on the Waitlist
While waiting for on-campus housing to become available, consider these alternatives:- Explore off-campus housing options, such as purpose-built student apartments which offer flexible leases and amenities tailored for students.
- Coordinate with potential roommates on their position in the lottery.
- Stay in communication with Georgia Tech Housing and Residence Life for updates on your waitlist status.
- What If I Don’t Get Off the Waitlist?
If you remain on the waitlist as the semester approaches and no rooms become available, you will need to finalize alternative housing plans. The housing office can provide guidance and resources for finding nearby options, or you can explore off-campus student apartments independently.
What are my chances of getting off the Georgia Tech on-campus housing waitlist?
It’s difficult to say what your chances are of getting off the waitlist as the lottery system is a new process. The likelihood of getting off the waitlist depends on several factors, including:
- The number of cancellations or no-shows for the upcoming semester.
- Your position on the waitlist relative to others.
- The time of year, as cancellations are more common closer to the start of the semester.
We hope this article helps answer your questions about the new lottery system for on-campus housing at Georgia Tech. For more information on on-campus housing, be sure to check out our guide on Off-Campus Student Apartments vs. GT On-Campus Housing for a thorough comparison of each option. If you have any further questions, please reach out to our leasing staff. We are more than happy to help in your search for housing!
