Harvard UniversityMove-In Guide
Cambridge, Massachusetts
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1636🔗 www.harvard.edu
Harvard College's first-year students live together in one of 17 historic dorms directly in or near Harvard Yard, grouped into four neighborhoods, including Hollis Hall - built in 1763 and once home to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau - Holworthy Hall, and Stoughton Hall.
Enrollment
7,038
Total Students
Freshman Class
1,760
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 26, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
4%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Students participating in a Pre-Orientation Program move in earlier - FOP participants on Aug. 18, and participants in all other Pre-Orientation Programs on Aug. 21. Do not reserve non-refundable plane tickets until you have been confirmed your specific move-in date in mid-June. Unload quickly at your drop-off location after parking outside your dorm - you'll have a maximum of 20 minutes. Pick up your Harvard ID and room key at your assigned key pick-up location, and bring a government-issued photo ID.
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
- Move-in time slots run 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in one-hour increments - select yours via the First-Year Experience Office's email, sent closer to move-in, and you can change it up to 24 hours before arrival.
- Check-in location
- Pick up your Harvard ID and room key at your assigned key pick-up location, detailed in the arrival email you'll receive. After 4 p.m., check in at your House building manager's office instead, where a security guard can assist.
- Parking
- You get 20 minutes of free access to parking meters around the Houses during move-in - an interactive campus parking map is also provided on Harvard's own Move-In Information page.
- What you'll receive
- Your Harvard ID and room key are issued at your key pick-up location - bring a government-issued photo ID to collect them, along with any mail or packages already waiting at the Harvard Yard Mail Center.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Unload quickly after parking outside your dorm - you get a maximum of 20 minutes at your drop-off location.
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
Hollis Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only- Photo coming soon
Holworthy Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Stoughton Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to Harvard University's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
Pre-Orientation & Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 18 - August 31, 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
$19,800
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy1.6 miles
- Target2.2 miles
- Wegmans2.6 miles
- Walgreens4 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 Harvard University.
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