Written by Lindsay (she/her), student
Understanding the First-Year Residence Guarantee
The University of Waterloo offers a 100% Residence Guarantee for all incoming first-year and transfer students, ensuring you have a comfortable and supportive place to call home.
To secure your spot in one of Waterloo’s residence communities, please follow these steps:
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Accept Your Offer of Admission: Confirm your intention to attend the University of Waterloo by accepting your offer through your Quest account.
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Submit the Residence Guarantee Application: Complete the application form and pay the $500 non-refundable deposit by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on June 10, 2025. This allows you to rank your residence preferences, including both Campus Housing and University College options.
Completing the Campus Housing Preference Form
Once you've secured your spot through the residence guarantee, the next step is to personalize your living experience by completing the Campus Housing Preference Form. This form lets you specify your preferences for residence buildings, room types, meal plans, and potential roommates.
When?
- The form will be available starting mid-June.
How?
- If placed with Campus Housing, we will email you the Campus Housing Preference Form (CHPF), which lets you:
- Rank the different Campus Housing residences and room types.
- Choose your preferred meal plan.
- Submit a roommate request.
- Students may only submit one roommate request. To request a roommate, both students must have a completed Campus Housing Preference Form, be in the same application period (fall/winter or fall/spring) and have the same reported gender. Students in an LLC may not request specific roommates.
Remember!
- While this form lets you provide your preferences, it does not mean you are guaranteed your top residence choices! You may be placed in any one of our residence communities — all will give you room to grow and change as you experience life at University — with support from our Campus Housing team. Residence is all about being open to new adventures, including trying a room that you never thought you would love!
Check out our Incoming First-Years & Transfers page for more detailed information about our Campus Housing Preference Form.
Here are some tips to help guide you through the Preference Form:
Become familiar with your residence options
You can explore the types of residences and the amenities offered in each type by booking a tour, attending an open house, or checking them out online on our YouTube channel.
Touring the residence helped me get a good idea of what the different buildings offered and an idea of what my upcoming year would look like.
Be honest in your application
As part of your application, you’ll be asked to indicate your personal preferences such as noise, music, cleanliness, and sleep schedule. It’s important to be honest so that you can be matched with a suitable residence community or roommate who has similar preferences as you.
Be open with the people you live with
If you live with other people, it’s important to be open and honest with each other from the start. Depending on which residence you live in, you may be given the names and contact information of your roommate(s) ahead of time. It’s a good idea to connect with them to get to know them before you move in together. You can also discuss who is bringing what items in advance which will help make packing easier! You may also want to create a mini roommate contract to make sure you’re all on the same page.
Every residence experience is different
It’s a good idea to do your own research about the residences. If you take a campus tour, ask your student ambassador about their experience and which residence they stayed in. You can also ask them for tips on preparing to move into residence and ways to make the most of your experience.
You should always keep in mind that every residence experience is different, depending on the residence type, the people you live with, and especially your expectations and willingness to adapt and put yourself out there. Ask around, but come in and check the residence out for yourself.
Always keep an open mind
It’s important to keep an open mind and make the most of your experience in residence. In my first year, I was nervous about living in a double room with a roommate I did not know. However, having a roommate helped me meet more people and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. Looking back, I wouldn’t change my residence experience or room type. I made the most of my time in residence by participating in floor activities and residence-wide events which made my experience one I will never forget!
In the end, it’s really not about the type of residence you live in or the style of room — it’s about the memories that you’ll make and the friends that you’ll meet. I live with my roommate and the friends that I made in residence in my first year, and I wouldn’t have had the same experience if I didn’t come in to the situation with an open mind.
Want more tips for completing the form? Watch our Campus Housing Preference Form walkthrough.
We look forward to welcoming you to our vibrant on-campus community! For more information on the residence ranking form, room assignment, and more, check out the Waterloo residences FAQ page.
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