Princeton UniversityMove-In Guide
Princeton, New Jersey
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1746🔗 www.princeton.edu
Princeton's campus centers on Nassau Hall, one of the oldest academic buildings in the country and, briefly in 1783, the capital of the United States, with first-year students housed across seven residential colleges including Butler, Forbes, and Mathey.
Enrollment
9,137
Total Students
Freshman Class
1,453
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 21, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
5%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Sign your housing contract and select a Move In time slot through the Princeton Housing Portal once your assignment email arrives. Do not have items shipped to campus before August 11, 2026, and always use your official campus mailing address (emailed separately as your "Frist Address"), not your specific dorm room, for anything shipped ahead.
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
- 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Check-in location
- Lewis Arts Complex Forum
- Parking
- Theater Drive Garage for cars; oversized vehicles and moving trucks are directed to Lot P19, behind the Graduate College.
- What you'll receive
- Your TigerCard (Princeton University ID) and a printable one-hour unloading pass for parking near your Residential College - print and display it on your dashboard, since a pass shown on a phone won't be accepted.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Moving trucks up to 16 feet are permitted, directed to Lot P19.
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
Butler College
Residential college · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Forbes College
Residential college · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Mathey College
Residential college · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to Princeton University's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
Fall Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 21 - September 1, 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 Pharmacy0.2 miles
- Walgreens1 miles
- Target3.1 miles
- Wegmans3.1 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 Princeton University.
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