Housing Office Fall Housing Application Process

Each spring semester, currently enrolled students request housing for the next academic year through the Housing page on their myWestmont Portal. This process is normally spread out from February-April to allow ample time for students to work through second (or third!) options if they do not get their top housing choice.

3 Steps for Housing

  1. Submit your housing application form(s) by the due date(s) for the type(s) of housing you are requesting. Students can submit 1 request for each option they qualify for.
  2. Watch for an email from Housing on or before the notification date for the type of housing requested. If the request is approved, at least one person in the group will need to attend the room selection event. If the request is not approved, return to the request forms to submit an alternative request (if not done already).
  3. Once approved, select your room!
    1. Attend your room selection event if your request is approved. At least one member from your group (or a proxy) must attend to select a room; if no one attends or selects for you, the group will be assigned whatever room is left over at the end of the selection event.
    2. OR, if you are approved to live off campus, submit the Off-Campus Living Agreement and provide your off-campus location to the Housing Office when prompted.

Types of Housing

OFF-CAMPUS: 

There are different categories for off-campus living:

  • Off-Campus Due to Special Circumstances is a type of "Local Commuter in SB (LCSB)." This is an individual request only. The circumstances must be verifiable. To see the list of potentially qualifying circumstances, see Off-Campus Commuting.
  • Off-Campus by Lottery is also a type of "Local Commuter in SB (LCSB)." This can be requested by seniors only. This is an individual (not a group) request. A random number generator is used to grant a limited number of lottery requests.
  • Off-Campus at Ocean View is coded as "Local Commuter at OV (LCOV)." OV is for seniors and juniors only. Requests must have a Group of 3 or a Group of 4 to qualify. Due to demand, requests containing one or more juniors are less likely to succeed. For 3-person apartments, whoever lives in the single room will be charged an additional $300 per semester above Westmont's normal housing charge.

GLC:

  • GLC may only be requested by seniors and juniors. Due to high demand, requests containing one or more juniors are less likely to succeed.
  • A double configuration or a flex-triple can be requested on the GLC form. DO NOT use the Triple form to request a flex-triple in the GLC. A flex-triple may be either for the entire academic year or Spring only. Fall only GLC flex-triples will not be granted. There needs to be 3 students for the Fall semester to qualify as a flex-triple when we conduct the Fall Housing process. Spring only flex-triples (creating a Spring flex-triple from a Fall double) are considered when we conduct the Fall-to-Spring process in late October.
  • NO meal plan is the default for GLC residents. This is the only campus residence hall which does not include the meal plan requirement. However, GLC residents can request a meal plan by emailing Housing (housing@westmont.edu) at least 2 weeks before the start of the semester. NOTE: approximately 1/3 of GLC residents typically request a meal plan.

TRIPLES: This gives groups the opportunity to request VK or flex-triples (separately from a GLC flex-triple which should be requested using the GLC form). There are 2 kinds of triples:

  • Designated triples in VK
  • Flex-Triples which may be requested in Armington, Clark, and Emerson.

What's the difference between a flex and designated triple?

A flex-triple is a double room that is being expanded by request to make it a triple configuration. Any double room in Armington, Clark, Emerson, and GLC can be requested as a flex-triple. Page rooms can also be requested to be normal triples by returning students. 

IMPORTANT: flex-triples are limited in number based on our extra furniture supplies and are not guaranteed. Additionally, flex-triples do not qualify for the triple room rebate at the end of the semester. This rebate is only give to VK and Page triple rooms that are fully occupied.

The only designated triples for returning students are in Van Kampen. VK rooms are not changeable to double-occupancy rooms.

When and how are triples requested?

Triple requests precede Double requests on the calendar, so Triple requests are considered prior to Doubles.

  • For GLC rooms, use the GLC request to submit a flex-triple request.
  • For all other rooms, use the Triple request to create a flex-triple or to request a VK room. Do NOT use the Double request.
  • Each student needs to approve their participation via their student portal in order for the triple group request to be complete.

What are the advantages of triple requests?

A flex-triple gives students the opportunity to not leave a 3rd friend "out in the cold". It can also help students who study abroad to have a spot for the semester they are on campus. For example, a Fall double may choose to expand their room to be a triple for Spring and have a friend returning from study abroad join them!

DOUBLES: All campus rooms are doubles, except for VK and first year rooms in Page. Requests must have a Group of 2 to qualify.

SOLO: This is for individual requests by students who do not have a roommate to sign up for a double or triple room. This form is not used to request a single-occupancy room (read below!).

  • Solo requestors may indicate their residence hall preferences with this form.
  • Solo requestors are likely to be placed with other solo requestors, or in rooms where openings become available.
  • Solo requests are NOT for requesting single-occupancy rooms, as we do not offer single-occupancy rooms (except for RAs or as accommodations from the Accessibility Resource Office). 
  • ARO singles or doubles: If you believe you qualify for a housing accommodation through ARO, please be sure to work with that office and Housing in accordance with the stated Housing deadlines. For Housing, please submit the ARO request form found on the Housing page of your student portal.

Every year, students want to know how likely they are to get into the housing they want! Of course, this varies every year and depends on many different factors: group point average, gender breakdown, the size of each particular class, Fall study abroad programs offered, etc.

FWIW, here is some historical data. This is intended to be a guide on trends and how things have played out in the recent past, not a guarantee or projection on how the numbers will play out during this year's housing process!

  • Ocean View: In 2023, all groups requesting a 4-person apartment were approved! 12 (out of 21) groups requesting a 3-person apartment were approved (3-person apartments were quite competitive--groups needed above a 5.0 group housing point average). In 2024, 10 (out of 12) 4-person apartment groups were approved (groups needed over a 4.25 average). 12 (out of 19) groups requesting a 3-person apartment were approved (again, very competitive--groups needed at least a 6.0 group average to get in!).
  • GLC: In 2023, the cut-off ended up being in the bracket where groups had an average of 6.0 points (6 "senior" groups with this average did not get in). In 2024, the cut-off ended up being in the bracket where groups had an average of 6.13 points (17 "senior" groups between 6.0 - 6.13 group point average did not get in!).
  • VK: for the last few years, all complete groups (3 people) of seniors and/or juniors got in. Each year, a few groups composed purely of rising sophomores has also gotten in!

OFF-CAMPUS: 

There are different categories for off-campus living:

  • Off-Campus Due to Special Circumstances is a type of "Local Commuter in SB (LCSB)." This is an individual request only. The circumstances must be verifiable. To see the list of potentially qualifying circumstances, see Off-Campus Commuting.
  • Off-Campus by Lottery is also a type of "Local Commuter in SB (LCSB)." This can be requested by seniors only. This is an individual (not a group) request. A random number generator is used to grant a limited number of lottery requests.
  • Off-Campus at Ocean View is coded as "Local Commuter at OV (LCOV)." OV is for seniors and juniors only. Requests must have a Group of 3 or a Group of 4 to qualify. Due to demand, requests containing one or more juniors are less likely to succeed. For 3-person apartments, whoever lives in the single room will be charged an additional $300 per semester above Westmont's normal housing charge.

GLC:

  • GLC may only be requested by seniors and juniors. Due to high demand, requests containing one or more juniors are less likely to succeed.
  • A double configuration or a flex-triple can be requested on the GLC form. DO NOT use the Triple form to request a flex-triple in the GLC. A flex-triple may be either for the entire academic year or Spring only. Fall only GLC flex-triples will not be granted. There needs to be 3 students for the Fall semester to qualify as a flex-triple when we conduct the Fall Housing process. Spring only flex-triples (creating a Spring flex-triple from a Fall double) are considered when we conduct the Fall-to-Spring process in late October.
  • NO meal plan is the default for GLC residents. This is the only campus residence hall which does not include the meal plan requirement. However, GLC residents can request a meal plan by emailing Housing (housing@westmont.edu) at least 2 weeks before the start of the semester. NOTE: approximately 1/3 of GLC residents typically request a meal plan.

TRIPLES: This gives groups the opportunity to request VK or flex-triples (separately from a GLC flex-triple which should be requested using the GLC form). There are 2 kinds of triples:

  • Designated triples in VK
  • Flex-Triples which may be requested in Armington, Clark, and Emerson.

What's the difference between a flex and designated triple?

A flex-triple is a double room that is being expanded by request to make it a triple configuration. Any double room in Armington, Clark, Emerson, and GLC can be requested as a flex-triple. Page rooms can also be requested to be normal triples by returning students. 

IMPORTANT: flex-triples are limited in number based on our extra furniture supplies and are not guaranteed. Additionally, flex-triples do not qualify for the triple room rebate at the end of the semester. This rebate is only give to VK and Page triple rooms that are fully occupied.

The only designated triples for returning students are in Van Kampen. VK rooms are not changeable to double-occupancy rooms.

When and how are triples requested?

Triple requests precede Double requests on the calendar, so Triple requests are considered prior to Doubles.

  • For GLC rooms, use the GLC request to submit a flex-triple request.
  • For all other rooms, use the Triple request to create a flex-triple or to request a VK room. Do NOT use the Double request.
  • Each student needs to approve their participation via their student portal in order for the triple group request to be complete.

What are the advantages of triple requests?

A flex-triple gives students the opportunity to not leave a 3rd friend "out in the cold". It can also help students who study abroad to have a spot for the semester they are on campus. For example, a Fall double may choose to expand their room to be a triple for Spring and have a friend returning from study abroad join them!

DOUBLES: All campus rooms are doubles, except for VK and first year rooms in Page. Requests must have a Group of 2 to qualify.

SOLO: This is for individual requests by students who do not have a roommate to sign up for a double or triple room. This form is not used to request a single-occupancy room (read below!).

  • Solo requestors may indicate their residence hall preferences with this form.
  • Solo requestors are likely to be placed with other solo requestors, or in rooms where openings become available.
  • Solo requests are NOT for requesting single-occupancy rooms, as we do not offer single-occupancy rooms (except for RAs or as accommodations from the Accessibility Resource Office). 
  • ARO singles or doubles: If you believe you qualify for a housing accommodation through ARO, please be sure to work with that office and Housing in accordance with the stated Housing deadlines. For Housing, please submit the ARO request form found on the Housing page of your student portal.

Every year, students want to know how likely they are to get into the housing they want! Of course, this varies every year and depends on many different factors: group point average, gender breakdown, the size of each particular class, Fall study abroad programs offered, etc.

FWIW, here is some historical data. This is intended to be a guide on trends and how things have played out in the recent past, not a guarantee or projection on how the numbers will play out during this year's housing process!

  • Ocean View: In 2023, all groups requesting a 4-person apartment were approved! 12 (out of 21) groups requesting a 3-person apartment were approved (3-person apartments were quite competitive--groups needed above a 5.0 group housing point average). In 2024, 10 (out of 12) 4-person apartment groups were approved (groups needed over a 4.25 average). 12 (out of 19) groups requesting a 3-person apartment were approved (again, very competitive--groups needed at least a 6.0 group average to get in!).
  • GLC: In 2023, the cut-off ended up being in the bracket where groups had an average of 6.0 points (6 "senior" groups with this average did not get in). In 2024, the cut-off ended up being in the bracket where groups had an average of 6.13 points (17 "senior" groups between 6.0 - 6.13 group point average did not get in!).
  • VK: for the last few years, all complete groups (3 people) of seniors and/or juniors got in. Each year, a few groups composed purely of rising sophomores has also gotten in!

Squatter's Privilege

Consideration is given to rising sophomores who request to return to their same residence hall as their #1 option for the next year. It does not grant consideration for reserving the same room, as rooms are reserved at the selection events and some rooms are reserved for new, incoming students.

Who qualifies for squatter's?

Only rising sophomores who choose to reside in upper campus halls (Page, Clark, Emerson) can qualify for squatter's privilege. There is no squatter's privilege for residents in Armington, GLC, VK or Ocean View.

How does squatter's work?

When a rising sophomore on upper campus requests to return to their same hall as their #1 choice for next year, we will recognize his/her squatter's privilege. It may be on a double room application, or a triple room application (i.e. for any optional Flex-Triple request in Clark, Emerson or Page). Only one student is needed for squatter's privilege, but if two returning residents request together and both qualify as squatters, they would be given even more consideration.

Squatter's does not increase the points in a group request. Rather, qualifying squatter's groups are given more consideration in the competition for a limited number of allotted rooms during housing sign-ups. Groups with squatter's privilege often get into that hall and have a higher room selection position.

Proxy Room Selection

What if I cannot attend my Selection Event?

In the event that no one in your group can attend the room selection event, the group members should authorize another student to attend and select on your behalf:

  • Your proxy must be a current Westmont student.
  • The proxy must attend your group's Selection Event and is then responsible choosing your room! Please be sure to give them a few room choices in case your first choice is not available.
  • If your proxy fails to attend your room selection event, your group will fall to the bottom of the list. Housing reserves the right to assign you any open room that is left in that type of housing at the end of the selection event.