Residence waitlists are generated when demand surpasses the number of room assignments available within Student Housing and are organized by student classification. Students may view their residence waitlist number under the "My Details" section of the Housing Portal.
First-Year Priority Waitlist
The priority waitlist is created in exceptional circumstances when the number of on-time first-year student applicants exceeds Student Housing's residence capacity. Students will be notified if they have an offer of residence or a waitlist number by June 9, 2023.
Please note: First-year applicants who are coming to the University of Guelph internationally, from outside Ontario or on an exchange are guaranteed residence. Learn more about residence priority here.
Transfer Student Waitlist
Transfer students who apply and pay the $750 deposit by June 1, 2023, will be offered residence once the priority waitlist has been cleared (if necessary). All on-time transfer student applicants will be entered into a transfer student lottery and will receive a waitlist number or offer of residence (pending availability) by June 9, 2023. You are encouraged to explore off-campus living options and can access additional support and resources through the Off-Campus Living Office.
Upper-Year (Returning) Student Waitlist
Once residence priority and transfer students have been placed, returning students will be offered residence, pending availability. The returning student waitlist will be created using a lottery system for all students who apply and pay the $750 deposit by June 1, 2023. It is highly unlikely that we will be able to offer spots before classes begin in September. You are encouraged to explore off-campus living options and can access additional support and resources through the Off-Campus Living Office.
Late Applicant Waitlist
All applicants who apply after the June 1 deadline are placed at the end of the waitlist, in order of the date that both their application and deposit were received. It is highly unlikely that we will be able to offer spots before classes begin in September. You are encouraged to explore off-campus living options and can access additional support and resources through the Off-Campus Living Office.
Graduate Student Waitlist
Graduate students are placed on a separate waitlist and will be offered residence when there is availability within the Grad Houses and West Residence. Applicants who are new graduate students that applied and paid the deposit by the priority deadline will be prioritized for offers, followed by returning graduate students and late applicants. You are encouraged to explore off-campus living options and can access additional support and resources through the Off-Campus Living Office.
Cancelling from the Waiting List
You may cancel without penalty at any time while you are on the waitlist. Please notify the Residence Admissions office as soon as possible by sending an email via your @uoguelph.ca email account to housing@uoguelph.ca. You will receive a full refund of your deposit if you are still on the waiting list (meaning that you are not yet eligible to be provided with a room assignment). If you are eligible to be assigned when you cancel, the usual cancellation charges will apply.
Extenuating Circumstances
Have some extenuating circumstances? If you think you should be taken off the waiting list, you can initiate a Waitlist Appeal by emailing appeals@uoguelph.ca. Your appeal should also include any supporting documentation (such as medical documents or proof of bank error) in order to validate your appeal and expedite a decision.
