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Columbia University's Morningside Heights campus centers on the National Historic Landmark Low Memorial Library, its Alma Mater statue watching over students, with first-year students housed in halls including Carman, John Jay, and Furnald - John Jay itself once home to writers Federico García Lorca and Jack Kerouac.
Enrollment
9,111
Total Students
Freshman Class
2,278
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 30, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
4%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
All students will be assigned a move-in day after receiving their housing assignment. Convocation, the formal celebration of students' arrival, is held on Low Plaza the same day, open to students and families. NSOP (New Student Orientation Program) 2026 continues through September 7 with two-day Immersion Experiences - students receive a questionnaire in June to be placed into a themed experience, such as Explore NYC.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Select your specific arrival date and time window through the Housing Portal ahead of the general August 30 move-in day - a digital Lion Pass confirming your arrival time, building, and room number is issued afterward.
- Check-in location
- Check in directly at your assigned residence hall - first-year students are housed across Carman, Furnald, John Jay, Wallach, and Wien halls, each with its own building-specific arrival instructions posted through the housing portal.
- Parking
- Street parking is limited on and around campus during move-in - review alternative parking options in the surrounding neighborhood ahead of time. A digital Check-In Pass grants access to closed streets for curbside unloading only.
- What you'll receive
- Large moving bins are available at unload zones to help carry belongings from your car to your room - a limited supply is shared among all arriving students, so return your bin promptly to its rental location once you're done, rather than holding onto it while unpacking.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Given the dense Morningside Heights setting, plan for curbside drop-off within your designated Check-In Pass window rather than extended on-street parking.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Carman Hall
Suite-style · Coed
First-year only John Jay Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only- Photo coming soon
Furnald Hall
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to Columbia University's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation Program (NSOP, required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 30 - September 7, 2026
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
$20,000
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy0.9 miles
- Walmart2.7 miles
- Target3.2 miles
- Walgreens4.2 miles
- Wegmans5.6 miles
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Columbia University.
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