Incoming Students

If participating in a Pre-Orientation program, you will arrive on campus on August 12th or 14th (prior to the official Move-In window).

Students participating in Pre-Orientation programs will receive instructions (including your move-in date) from your program and a confirmation directly from the Office of Residence Life and Housing.

You may want to come to campus with the bare necessities for Pre-Orientation and then have your family bring your remaining belongings when the rest of your class moves in. This also enables your family to participate in parent and family Orientation activities!

All first-year students will complete a Housing and Dining Application online by logging into Housing Portal. The application will be available May 2 and is due by June 6.

During your first year, you will live in one of the seven communities on South Campus, otherwise known as South Forest.

Students are assigned to the various communities at random. As such, students are not asked or able to indicate preferences.

Each residence hall room includes an extra-long twin bed (36″ by 80″), a dresser, a desk and a desk chair. All rooms have window blinds and a closet or wardrobe unit. You may bring your own floor rug or purchase it upon your arrival to campus. Because each space varies, sometimes greatly, we encourage you to wait until you arrive on campus and see your exact space before purchasing items.

Each room also has a MicroFridge® appliance (combination microwave/refrigerator-freezer unit), so there is no need to buy or rent a refrigerator. The microwave has a capacity of 0.7 cubic feet and a turntable for even heating.

Approved small appliances may be used or stored in residence hall rooms. Please see our Guide to Community Living at go.wfu.edu/gtcl for details. Residents in each residence hall have access to community kitchens featuring full-size appliances. You will receive a personal recycling tote on Move-in Day that will be yours to keep.

Items to Bring to Campus

Printable List (pdf)

Prohibited Items

The Deacon OneCard is your official student ID. You will receive your card when you arrive on campus for New Deac Week, and you should carry it with you at all times.

The Deacon OneCard serves as your access card to enter University buildings, your card for checking items out of the library and your “ticket” to many campus events. It’s also a payment card for Deacon Dollars and your meal plan.

You must submit a photograph for your Deacon OneCard by June 6.

First-year roommates are assigned by the Office of Residence Life and Housing based upon a number of factors that indicate compatibility and common interests. This roommate pairing process is reflective of the University’s commitment to helping incoming students get to know individuals different than themselves.

As a continuing student, you will be able to select your community and choose your own roommate(s).

You will be notified of your room and roommate assignment over the summer via your Wake Forest email (@wfu.edu).  

When you get your roommate assignment, please reach out so that you can start getting to know one another!

When you arrive on campus, you and your roommate will complete a roommate agreement that will help define expectations for how you will use the room.

In support of students with disabilities, the Office of Residence Life and Housing has a wide variety of housing and dining options on campus which can accommodate the vast majority of disability needs. Students who would like to request a disability-related accommodation should visit go.wfu.edu/f101accommodations.

Wake Forest University (and the Office of Residence Life and Housing) does not assume responsibility for theft, loss or damage to your personal property. Most thefts occur when residents leave their room doors unlocked and/or their property unattended. Keeping your room locked at all times is your best defense against theft.

The University does not cover property loss for damage due to facility incidents that may occur. Before coming to campus, you should determine what it would cost to replace belongings such as clothing, electronics — including cellphone, television, laptop — linens, etc. Check your family’s homeowner’s insurance policies — many policies will cover loss or theft, even if the policy is in your parents’ name(s) and you are living on campus. If not, we strongly encourage you to purchase renter’s insurance.

Wake Forest University views living on campus as integral to a liberal arts education and the Wake Forest experience. As such, the University has a six-semester (three-year) residency requirement, and is committed to providing eight semesters of on-campus housing for residential students in good standing.

Students are required to live in campus housing their first three years unless they live with a parent or guardian in the Winston-Salem area.

Transfer students who have lived on campus at another institution are given credit for that time toward their residency requirement after submitting proof of residency from their former institution(s).

The Office of Residence Life and Housing is excited to provide gender-inclusive housing options for all students who choose to live in mixed-gender rooms/suites. For incoming students, this will be rooms/suites clustered together in an area of a residence hall with private bathrooms (toilet and shower areas). As a part of this process, students will be asked to complete additional questions on their Housing and Dining Application. Students who request gender-inclusive housing will then be contacted by staff from the Office of Residence Life and Housing to discuss the best way to accommodate their housing needs. During the process, no student will be asked to disclose their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

For questions, concerns, or assistance with the Gender-Inclusive Housing process please contact any of the following individuals –

• Zach Blackmon, Associate Director of Operations, in the Office of Residence Life and Housing at (336) 758-5185 or blackmzr@wfu.edu; or
• AJ Mazaris, Assistant Vice President for Equitable Policy and Director of the LGBTQ Center, at (336) 758-4665 or mazarise@wfu.edu.

For information on shipping to campus and receiving mail once at Wake Forest, please refer here.