.jpg)
Ohio State's Columbus campus centers on The Oval, the iconic green space at the heart of campus, with first-year students required to live on campus for two years in halls including Baker, Bowen, and Norton, most concentrated on South Campus.
Enrollment
60,046
Total Students
Freshman Class
11,432
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 19-22, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
57%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Schedule a day and time for your arrival through the housing portal - details on your specific building and signing up for a timeslot were emailed the week of July 13. Ohio State's Office of Student Life refers to this period as "rolling out the scarlet carpet," a tradition marking the start of Move-In week each autumn. The majority of freshmen are assigned to South Campus, the biggest residential cluster and center of first-year social life. Ohio State expects around 14,000 students to move into student housing during this window.
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
- Parking
- Check CampusParc for parking information and availability, especially near residence halls during the move-in window, when nearby lots see heavy demand.
- What you'll receive
- Confirmation of your specific building and move-in timeslot, emailed in advance - review it closely before travel.
- Vehicle restrictions
- First-year residence hall students are barred from buying a parking permit or bringing a vehicle at all, with exceptions only for documented medical need, an off-campus job outside the COTA bus service area, active military training, or aviation coursework. On move-in day itself, students should bring no more than two family members to help, and moving trucks are not permitted (multiple family vehicles are fine if needed).
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
Baker Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Bowen House
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Norton House
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to The Ohio State University's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required, two-day)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 1 - August 18, 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
$15,252
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- Target0.8 miles
- CVS Pharmacy1.9 miles
- Walgreens4.1 miles
- Walmart6.8 miles
- Meijer7.3 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 The Ohio State University.
Share
Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.